Photo Flash: First Look at NEXT TO NORMAL At The Cultural Arts Playhouse

The Cultural Arts Playhouse is presenting Next to Normal -An unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness.

Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness.

Dad's an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.

Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. Directed by Tony Frangipane, Sarah Berger and Danny Amy lead this talented cast in a very moving piece of theater. The full cast includes Michael Creta and Zackary Zain as Gabe, Alyssa Caracciolo as Natalie, Sean Ryan as Henry and Donal J Dowdell as Dr Fine/Madden. Rich Giordano is the musical director and Diane Marmann is the stage manager.

For more information and to purchase tickets go to our website at www.culturalartsplayhouse.com or call 516-694-3330