According to Newsweek.com, 1 in 5 Americans suffer from mental illnesses each year. And yet, there doesn’t seem to be much talk about it; there’s almost a taboo around it. This reason is why I look so highly on Next to Normal: it’s real and raw and brings some light to what living with bipolar disorder can do to the person diagnosed and those closest to them. When I found out that MTSU’s Theater Department was going to be putting on Next to Normal, I was beyond excited. The show opened on February 1 at the Tucker Theater and was directed by senior theater major Skylar Grieco.

Right off the bat, I was very impressed with freshman Regan Holmberg who portrayed the role of Diana, a mother with a tragic past who was diagnosed with bipolar depression and began to have delusions. Honestly, I didn’t even know she was a freshman. She took to the stage so naturally and played her role with such confidence. Diana must have been a challenging role to tap into, but I believe that Regan did so excellently. Her motions and vocalism helped to present the true emotion that went along with Diana’s condition. The interaction between Regan and other actors on stage helped to display how Diana’s illness affected those around her – especially her daughter, Natalie, portrayed by Dallas Boudreaux. Throughout the show, Natalie deals with not only her mother’s crumbling mental state, but the pressures of a new romance. Dallas’ portrayal gave us a look into what the mind of someone going through that might look like. She was able to show us the fears and the anger that Diana’s diagnosis put onto her daughter. Fear and anger and stress was also put onto Diana’s husband, Dan, played by senior Paul Gary. Paul was excellent. The emotion he put into his singing conveyed all of the feelings of man who is trying to hold onto the woman he loves while she is slowly slipping away from him. The similarities between Dan and Henry and their relationships with the women they love are incredible. Donovan Hughes did an incredible job as the love-struck Henry. His motions and tone expressed the care Henry has for Natalie, even when she’s trying to save him from the horror show she thinks is her life. Gerold Oliver had the double role of Drs. Fine and Madden. Gerold, in my mind, served as a bit of comic relieve, but also had the serious tone that was needed to be Diana’s doctor. Finally, Aaron Johnson, who played the Son – who we later learn is named Gabe – was incredible. I was impressed with his singing voice and the power he had in his belting.

Along with the characters, I was very impressed and pleased with the set design and the lighting. I thought the multi-level structure and moving stair case allowed for various settings within the one. I enjoyed seeing the staircase incorporated in the choreography, as well. The lighting matched the mood very well, especially when a mood change happened quickly. For example, whenever someone got angry very fast, the lighting would change from shades of purple to a full red drop screen. Overall, I thought the show ran smoothly from the house point of view. I thought the casting was done very well, also. Senior Skylar Grieco, the director, wrote a note to the audience explaining why this show meant so much to him, and I’m happy the show was a success. I want to brag about how much I enjoyed and loved it, but I can’t find the words that would give the show the credit and justice it deserves.

News article about the show: http://www.mtsunews.com/mtsu-arts-next-to-normal/

Program: http://www.mtsu.edu/theatreanddance/Programs/Nextt...