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As the cast of Arena Stage's Next To Normal patters through the opening number, "Just Another Day," it's hard not to feel a little cynical – another testament to the mundane trappings of suburban life? Is there really anything more to say on the subject?
Turns out there is, and even before the number concludes, you realize that this family's problems reach beyond a teenage girl who feels ignored and a couple with a less-than-satisfying sex life. The number ends in a panicking crescendo, as Diana (Alice Ripley) begins having a sort of nervous breakdown, while frenetically making sandwiches...on the floor. It's an odd, disjointing scene that sets a tone of wariness for the evening ahead.
It seems Diana's problems are pretty serious – she's been treated for more than a decade with pills and shrinks for her reaction to a traumatic event years ago, while her family stands by, her dutiful but strained husband "living on a latte and a prayer" and her daughter on the verge of collapse from trying to make herself noticed. It is when we begin to get a better sense of how these two are handling their demons that the impact of Next To Normal really begins to hit home, from Dan's (J. Robert Spencer) impassioned declaration that "I Am the One" who has stayed true to his difficult wife, to Natalie's (Jennifer Damiano) melancholy tale of living in shadow with "Superboy and the Invisible Girl."
From that point forward, Next To Normal is one of the most emotionally assaulting new musicals that D.C. audiences have had the pleasure of experiencing in some time. Just try to make it through "Light in the Dark," a desperate plea for Diane to try an unconventional treatment to give the couple a stab at a normal life, without tears involuntarily springing forth. Mental illness seems a tricky topic to get the Broadway treatment, but Next To Normal's sensitive, harrowing portrayal provides the springboard of everything from gallows humor to soul-wrenching revelations. Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's piano-heavy, rock-influenced sound and confessional lyrics call to mind the talents and style of contemporary theater composer Jason Robert Brown. Not every moment works – there are some clunky rhymes, overly self-aware moments, and, well, the fact that the word "whack" is used for teen-speak – but this is a smart, powerful show given proper treatment by Arena's snazzy set and formidable cast.
Leading the pack is a raw, tortured and surprisingly humorous showing from Alice Ripley, whose unconventional voice is well-suited to the score. She's balanced by Spencer, who matches her magnetism and grief. Damiano lends an air of authenticity to Natalie, flawed but sympathetic, and Aaron Tveit is both a welcome, occasional burst of energy and an undeniably eerie presence as Natalie's long-absent brother, Gabe.
Next To Normal runs through Jan. 18 at Arena's temporary Crystal City location. Tickets are available online.
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I cannot recommend this show enough. I went on opening night and it was amazing.
This is an amazing musical in its own right and the stage/setting is just excellent. As a child who grew up with a manic depressive mother and saw the toll that it can take on the family (the pills, the mood swings, the trauma of ECT) it is extremely true to what living through that experience can be like.
If I wanted to watch someone descend into madness, I could stare at my reflection in the toilet bowl for free. But I have to admit, the "musical" merits of my performance are not in the same league.