‘Next to Normal’ Musical Tackles Mental Illness

The pandemic wreaked havoc on our psyches and as such, mental health got pushed to the forefront, somewhat dismantling the stigma that accompanies the term.

So it seems most appropriate that Zoetic Stage is now presenting its version of the Tony- and Pulitzer Prize Award-winning musical, “Next to Normal,” with a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The production will be at the Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts through April 9.

The musical examines the effects of mental illness on a suburban family with five-time Carbonell Award-winner Jeni Hacker in the lead role of matriarch Diana, who’s had a longtime battle with bipolar disorder.

The subject matter is well worth exploring, whether you catch this production now or at another opportunity.

Stuart Meltzer, artistic director for Zoetic Stage – a company that’s presented well-known musicals by Stephen Sondheim and others – is excited to explore this new territory.

“We wanted to venture into something a little more contemporary,” he said. “Working on this musical is exciting; it is so thorough in its examination of bipolar and how it rips apart the family foundation.”

Presenting “Next to Normal” in the smaller black box theater at the Arsht upped the enjoyment for Meltzer and the Zoetic crew as they spent time sleuthing and figuring out how to best produce a musical that is usually seen on larger stages, as it was at Actors’ Playhouse in 2012.

“What Zoetic does well is interpret titles that have already been done,’ said Meltzer. “We have to be smart about our programming and choose something with a smaller cast (that) also gives us the opportunity for hope. That was an important reason for doing this production right now – to have a place of hope in our season.”

Rounding out the all-local cast are Zoetic Stage veterans Ben Sandomir as patriarch Dan and Nate Promkul as son Gabe. Zoetic newcomers Gabi Gonzalez plays daughter Natalie, Joseph Morell as her boyfriend, Henry, and Robert Koutras has taken on the dual role of Drs. Madden and Fine.

Hoping to present a sense of wanderlust, Meltzer loves that the play travels into the future, the past, the mind, darkness and light, and ultimately into places that aren’t comfortable.

“This helped balance out the season, which is something that’s always very important for us when we put a season together,” he said.

Much like the play was on Meltzer’s radar, it had been on Hacker’s as well, ever since its Broadway debut. She’d auditioned for the role of Diana at other theaters and then Meltzer reached out.

“Stuart called a year ago and offered me the role,” recalled the actress. “We’ve worked together so much – and he knows so much about my work and our work together – (that) he was confident enough about offering it to me. Honestly, I was losing hope that this [role] would come to me when I was still of the right age, so when he offered I was very quick to say yes.”

Hacker researched and took a deep dive into the experience of delusions that her character experiences. Trusting in Meltzer’s unique ability to direct all sorts of actors and their approaches, Hacker took advantage of his tutelage.

“Every actor has a different process; my process has always been to not make too many decisions before I get in the room,” Hacker said. “I find that, for me, if I do that it becomes an instant obstacle. Essentially the director has a vision for the show, so I come in without any decisions.

“The challenge is when you get that role that you’ve been wanting for years – suddenly there’s also this extreme pressure. I’ve wanted this role for so long that I asked myself, ‘Can I actually pull this off?’”

The immense trust she has in Meltzer and actors she’s worked with before was an added bonus.

It also helped when it came to the material, which Hacker said, “puts you out there like an open wound. We’re saying things to each other that are very vulnerable and hurtful. There were plenty of tears in the room but there were also humorous moments. For Diana, finding humor is a coping mechanism.”

The cast also aimed to keep the mood lighthearted during rehearsal, with stage manager Vanessa McCloskey bringing in a big yellow ball with a smiley face to help actors emerge from a particularly difficult scene.

“If you’re too deep into the story, you run the risk of not telling it,” explained Hacker. “If we’re actually losing ourselves in that process, it’s hard to tell. We have to remind ourselves that we’re doing a job up there.”

Additionally – and an established and popular offering of Zoetic Stage during its productions – is Sunday Talkbacks, scheduled for the “Next to Normal” run on April 2 with Victoria Gray, a licensed social worker and clinical assistant professor at FIU’s Robert Stempel College of Public Health & Social Work, and a close friend of Hacker’s.

“Jeni knew I would be great to bring in that info and level of support for the cast and the audience,” said Gray. “I’ve been fortunate enough to be in several presentations and panels, but this is my first time in an arts setting. I’m excited because I appreciate that this type of topic and conversation is being highlighted in the arts bringing this kind of awareness. Especially through ‘Next to Normal.’”

The often misunderstood and stigmatized topic of mental illness is why Gray hopes to talk about the circle of people affected by it, like friends, family and co-workers, and how everyone is impacted by it.

“I want to show how we can support each other. While bipolar is chronic, there is a way to live very successfully with the right kind of treatment and support and care for both the patient and their support system,” Gray said. “We combat the loss and fear and confusion by normalizing this.”

Because audience members will have feelings and reactions when they see the play, Gray’s goal is to create a supportive environment of involvement and engagement with them. She will also have plenty of resources for the audience whatever its needs may be.

At the root of it all, Meltzer says, is a heightened level of awareness about mental health and ultimately “a play that represents a very contemporary moment in society.”

If You Go

“Next to Normal”

Carnival Studio Theater

Adrienne Arsht Center for the Performing Arts

1300 Biscayne Blvd.

Miami, FL 33132

Now through April 9

Tickets: $60 and $65

ArshtCenter.org