NEXT TO NORMAL at MONONGALIA ARTS CENTER

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From the Director:



"The mind is its own place and in itself, can make a Heaven of Hell, a Hell of Heaven."   -- John Milton

Welcome to life!

Life is neither fair nor easy, And what is normal for one can be anathema to another. Moreover, what occurs behind the closed doors of a seemingly average home may pale in comparison to what occurs behind the closed doors of a troubled mind.

The stigma of Behavioral Health affliction is not what it once was. Yet it remains. Largely, I believe, due to a lack of open and honest communication. Those who suffer often will not admit or discuss their feelings for fear of ridicule, rejection, or repudiation. And those who observe the suffering of others are too often too willing to be dismissive of others’ pain as a flaw of character, or worse, a fabrication.

Family dynamics are complex under the most benign of circumstances. Overlay Behavioral Health issues and you have a recipe for chaos. In his book “The Fault in Our Stars,” John Green said, “Pain demands to be felt.” If that is true, then the more acute the pain, the more chaotic its presentation. You are about to witness such chaos.

Theatre can be entertaining, and it can be enlightening. Every few decades a work comes along with the ability to be both. And when those pieces fall together, the result can be transcendent. So what’s normal? Who’s to say? But if you are honest, you will see yourself somewhere on this stage.

Empathy is what separates humans from animals. And it is in short supply. On behalf of the entire cast, if you leave this performance with a renewed sense of empathy for others, no matter their plight, then we have done our jobs. And though the sentiment may seem out of place, we hope you enjoy the show half as much as we will enjoy bringing these flawed and beautiful characters to life.

Authors

• Brian Yorkey
• Tom Kitt

Official poster for the show!

The roughin of the set!

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