“Next to Normal” is crazy good

  • Theresa Goffredo
  • Saturday, February 26, 2011 6:16pm
  • Life

Yes. Spend some of your hard-earned money and go see the musical “Next to Normal” at the 5th Avenue Theatre and celebrate the fact that a Pulitzer Prize winning play was created here.

And not just here in the northwest, but at Village Theatre, which is based in Issaquah but also performs at the Everett Performing Arts Center.

Brian Yorkey, VT’s associate artistic director for seven years, received the Pulitzer for drama in 2010 as well as the 2009 Tony Award for Best Score for “Next to Normal,” which got is start as a Village Originals production.

ADVERTISEMENT
0 seconds of 0 secondsVolume 0%
Press shift question mark to access a list of keyboard shortcuts
00:00
00:00
00:00
 

The story about a family dealing with tragedy and a mother who is bipolar and delusional is edgy with moments of cutting snarkiness that are funny and biting. The music is sexy and contemporary.

As the mom Diana, Alice Ripley is spellbinding, taking us again and again down her rabbit hole of madness. She fights each plummet with her own style and sense of humor.

The father, Dan, played by the sweet-voiced and earnest Asa Somers, fights to hold onto his family and wife but in the end winds up grasping at smoke. Gabe the son, played by Curt Hansen, is haunting, and daughter Natalie, neglected and forgotten, is full of anger and angst and portrayed in a powerhouse performance by Emma Hunton.

Everett Village Theatre KIDSTAGE alumn Caitlin Kinnunen is Natalie’s understudy. She was cast in “Spring Awakening” on Broadway a couple years back, about age 16, and Kinnunen is now touring with “Next to Normal”.

Preston Sadleir played Henry, the boy in love with Natalie and the kind of friend every young angst-ridden woman should have. Jeremy Kushnier gave Dr. Madden just the right amount of creep.

So celebrate this home-grown success and that new musical theater can send a message that might make us squirm a bit but also make us laugh and shed some tears.

“Next to Normal” plays through March 13 at The 5th Avenue Theatre, 1308 Fifth Ave., Seattle.

Talk to us

> Give us your news tips.

> Send us a letter to the editor.

> More Herald contact information.

More in Life

Coming events in Snohomish County

Send calendar submissions for print and online to features@heraldnet.com. To ensure your… Continue reading

The Mukilteo Boulevard Homer on Monday, May 12, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
‘Homer Hedge’: A Simpsons meme takes root in Everett — D’oh!

Homer has been lurking in the bushes on West Mukilteo Boulevard since 2023. Stop by for a selfie.

Ellis Johnson, 16, left, and brother Garrett Johnson, 13, take a breather after trying to find enough water to skim board on without sinking into the sand during opening day of Jetty Island on Friday, July 5, 2019 in Everett, Wash. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Epic ways to spice up your summer

Your ultimate guide to adventure, fun and reader-approved favorites!

Everett Music Initiative announces Music at the Marina lineup

The summer concert series will take place each Thursday, July 10 to Aug. 28 at the Port of Everett.

Sarah and Cole Rinehardt, owners of In The Shadow Brewing, on Wednesday, March 12, 2025 in Arlington, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
In The Shadow Brewing: From backyard brews to downtown cheers

Everything seems to have fallen into place at the new taproom location in downtown Arlington

Former Herald writer Melissa Slager’s new book was 14-year project

The 520-page historical novel “Contests of Strength” covers the 1700 earthquake and tsunami on Makah lands.

Kyle Parker paddles his canoe along the Snohomish River next to Langus Riverfront Park on Thursday, May 8, 2025 in Everett, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Tip to Tip: Kyle Parker begins his canoe journey across the country

The 24-year-old canoe fanatic started in Neah Bay and is making his way up the Skykomish River.

Kim Crane talks about a handful of origami items on display inside her showroom on Monday, Feb. 17, 2025, in Snohomish, Washington. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Crease is the word: Origami fans flock to online paper store

Kim’s Crane in Snohomish has been supplying paper crafters with paper, books and kits since 1995.

A woman flips through a book at the Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley. (Olivia Vanni / The Herald)
Pop some tags at Good Cheer Thrift Store in Langley

$20 buys an outfit, a unicycle — or a little Macklemore magic. Sales support the food bank.

The 2025 GMC Sierra EV Denali full-size pickup truck (Provided by GMC).
2025 GMC Sierra EV pickup is building a lineup

Denali Extended Range and Denali Max Range are just the beginning.

Striking Nightshade Edition Creates Luxury Vibe For Less
2025 Toyota Grand Highlander Nightshade Edition Adds Wow Factor

Seven-Passenger SUV Checks All Boxes And Adds Some

Swedish-made XC90 Designed For All Seasons
2025 Volvo XC90 T8 AWD Ultra – The Best Gets Better

Swedish Luxury Hybrid SUV Includes All-Electric Miles

Support local journalism

If you value local news, make a gift now to support the trusted journalism you get in The Daily Herald. Donations processed in this system are not tax deductible.