NEXT TO NORMAL at Manatee Performing Arts Center

An unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness. NEXT TO NORMAL is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life. It takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their familys story with love, sympathy, and heart.Sometimes what we see is a lie. Diana looks to be the typical suburban mother, with a husband and two kids. However, what we do not see at first glance is she has some serious mental illnesses, bipolar disorder and depression. NEXT TO NORMAL follows Diana as she tries to handle her illness, how it affects her family, and whats left standing.