BWW Interviews: Love, Loss and the Power of Musicals with the Cast of NEXT TO NORMAL
By: Kelly Cameron Jun. 12, 2012
Next to Normal is a Pulitzer Prize winning musical that deals with love, loss, grief, mental illness and overcoming the hard obstacles many of us face in our lives. Last seen in Toronto this past summer, Clearwater Theatre is putting on a regional production this week at The Tarragon Theatre. BWW sat down to speak with the six person cast about what the show means to them, and why they think people should see it.
The six person cast performsn in the intimate space with a live band and without mics, adding to the intense feel of the material. Our interview is divided into two parts, the 'grown-ups' and the 'kids' of the story. We're kicking off with the grown-ups as we speak to Kathryn Akin who plays Diana, Adrian Marchuk who plays Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine and Jay Davis who plays Dan.
My name is Kathryn Akin and I play the role of Diana Goodman.
What's your favourite song in the show and what do you think is the overall message behind the production?
Sorry to be a cliche but it's so hard to pick a favourite song in this extraordinary piece. I love the playfulness and bittersweetness of "Whose Crazy/ My Psychopharmacologist and I".....the power, youth and yearning in "I'm Alive and Superboy"... the incredible melodies of "I Miss the Mountains, I Am the One, A Light in the Dark, You Don't Know, Song of Forgetting, Maybe (Next to Normal) and others. And then there is the sheer heartbreaking lyrics of "How Could I Ever Forget" and "So Anyway".
The overall message? Wow. So many messages. One huge one is that no matter what difficulties and loss we face throughout life, it is possible to go on. There are so many people in this world who have survived much pain and trauma. And tragically of course, many who have not. This piece of theatre speaks for the strength of the human spirit...the struggles that are going on around us every day...even perhaps just down the road or in the quiet house next door.
What would you say is the number one reason to come out and see the show?
Astoundingly good writing on all levels- musically, lyrically, textually, HUMANLY. Hopefully matched by a production that is straight from the heart and guts of this creative team and performers. It's untraditional, smart, funny, moving, sexy, fascinating...with completely amazing music. It defies labelling and is quite simply an excellent piece of theatre. Once more we can cheer for what a fantastic and relevant art form theatre can be.
This show is rarely done in such an intimate space, and I don't think it's ever done acoustically. None of the actors are wearing a mic. Anyone coming to this show will be drawn into an intimate family drama that is moving, funny and a delight to watch.
What's your name and who do you play?
Adrian Marchuk, and I play Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden.
What's your favourite song in the show and what do you think is the overall message behind the production?
As much as I like the big numbers, my favourite pieces in the show are actually the intimate, conversational numbers between Natalie and Henry (Hey #1, Hey #2, Hey #3). I find the writing incredibly naturalistic, which is extremely difficult to do in a heightened form like musical theatre. There's wonderful sublety in those pieces, and it's brought to life marveously in our production by Sara Farb and Andre Morin.
As for the message behind the productino, I'm not sure there is just one overall moral. I think the show takes a hard look at a family struggling with mental illness, and how any illness affects not just the person who is sick, but the entire family. They are all wounded, and all struggling towards healing, which I think is a powerful drive in each of us.
What would you say is the number one reason to come out and see the show?
This show is rarely done in such an intimate space, and I don't think it's ever done acoustically. None of the actors are wearing a mic. Anyone coming to this show will be drawn into an intimate family drama that is moving, funny and a delight to watch.
What's your name and who do you play?
My name is Jay Davis, I play Dan.
What's your favourite song/line in the show and what do you think is the overall message behind the production?
My favorite line in the play is the one that Natalie sings in the song 'Next to Normal': "I don't need a life that's normal. That's way too far away. But something next to normal would be okay..."
What would you say is the number one reason to come out and see the show?
I think the best reason to come see the show is to join and support the revolution of high quality small scale musical theatre that is carving a new niche for itself in Toronto. Join the revolution!!!
When and Where?
Next to Normal
On now until June 17th at Tarragon Theatre
Tickets are $25 for general admission, $20 for students, seniors and arts workers and can be purchased in person at the box office, by phone at 416-531-1827 or online at http://tickets.tarragontheatre.com
$12 rush tickets are available for Friday night and Sunday matinee performances.
Production Photo by Kelsi Rix
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