Panic! Productions Begins 2018 Season With Pulitzer Winning Musical NEXT TO NORMAL

Producer Paul Panico, along with Panic! Productions are pleased to announce the first musical production of 2018. The multi-award and Pulitzer Prize winning "NEXT TO NORMAL" by Brian Yorkey, with music by Tom Kitt. They have also cast award-winning actress Michelle Lane, for the lead role of "Diana." The acclaimed rock musical will open June 2nd, 2018 at Hillcrest Center For The Arts.

Next to Normal has been called one of the best musicals of the 21st century and its soundtrack one of the best original soundtracks in a musical due to its graceful handling of its dark, complex subject matter and its moving and brutally honest exploration into pain. It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, including Best Musical Score.

Next to Normal is the winner of the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, becoming the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals." Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times.

The production is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com

Michelle Lane is thrilled to have the opportunity to reprise a role that is incredibly dear to her. She is an Ovation Award Winner for the West Coast Premiere of Swing! She has lived and worked on both coasts and many cities in between. BROADWAY/VEGAS: Avenue Q. Select REGIONAL: Finding Nemo the Musical (Original Dory), Mary Poppins (Mrs. Banks), In The Next Room (Annie), Chess (Florence), Side Show (Violet), She Loves Me (Amalia), Little Mermaid (Ursula), Measure for Measure (Isabella) to name a few. Recent TV/FILM: "Getaway" (Coming soon), "Married With Secrets" (2016). Best role to date: Mama to Noah & Elouise. Michelle coaches voice and acting privately. For info on voice lessons & coachings, go to www.WorkshopLane.com. To learn more, please visit: www.Michelle-Lane.com

Panic! Productions is a community theatre troupe committed to presenting professional-level productions of musical and plays for the enrichment of its participants and the community.