'Next to Normal' Next on the San Diego Stage

In 2008, Lyricist Brian Yorkey and Composer Tom Kitt began to explore an often-stigmatized topic - mental health.

Specifically, they set out to examine bipolar disorders, modern psychiatry, grief, loss and the nuances of suburban family life. Out of that examination, the musical "Next to Normal" was born. Dubbed a contemporary and provocative musical, "Next to Normal" has earned its place in the Broadway hall of fame, garnering three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama.

That's a big deal, it is one of only a handful of musicals to achieve that honor. Now, this unique musical is making its debut with San Diego Musical Theatre.

"Next to Normal" begs the question: How far will parents go to keep themselves sane and, their family's world intact? New York Times Critic Ben Brantley hailed the show as, "...much more than a feel-good musical; it is a feel everything musical." Despite tough, adult themes and language, "Next to Normal" boasts magnificent music and manages to be illuminating, entertaining and funny in all the right places.

The six-member cast stars local talents Bets Malone as the Mother (Diana, the one diagnosed as bipolar) and Robert J. Townsend as the Father (Dan). Both actors are reprising their roles after a successful run of the show at the La Mirada Theatre.

Townsend, who has just returned home from performing in the national tour of "Jersey Boys," is particularly thrilled to bring the show home to San Diego.

"Next to Normal is a show I have wanted to do since I saw it on Broadway. The masterful score and the story line, the message it gets across, it is a beautiful piece." Townsend actively looked for productions to audition for, and in 2013 found the La Mirada Theatre's call for actors. "I auditioned for it while I was still in New York. It was all done by multiple video submissions. I was thrilled to be cast as Dan. When the creative team behind San Diego Musical Theatre saw that production they asked Bets [Malone] and I and other cast members, if we would reprise our roles in their 2014 season."

Malone, best known for her singing chops and brilliant character roles (Mrs. Lovett in "Sweeney Todd," Ado Annie in "Oklahoma," and Annie Oakley in "Annie Get Your Gun"), who on top of singing, gives audiences a tour de force range of emotion and rawness in this show.

Townsend notes, "My character has a more subtle arc. His job is to be sure that while supporting his wife, all the pieces are running as efficiently as possible. But he does have this 'ah-ha' cathartic moment where he lets his emotions go. It's difficult to go to that place, but it is something that has actually helped me in my personal life."

Townsend has a wealth of stage experience, but he says this has been an accidental career. "My best friend was hanging out after school one day. I was ready to walk home and asked what he was doing. He was auditioning for a show and said 'You should audition too.' I wasn't prepared, but thought, why not? I sang 'Row, row, row your boat.' I got cast in the show and he didn't.

"When I went on to UCSD, I was studying to be a chemist, but I really enjoyed performing. I auditioned for shows during the summers and as the years went by it became an actual career."

Up next, he plays the beloved role of Papa Who in the Old Globe's "Dr. Seuss' How the Grinch Stole Christmas!"

When asked what The Rage Monthly readers who haven't seen the show should know, Townsend offered this: "Those who know it, really love this show. Those who haven't seen it tend to think that a musical about bipolar disorder is strange, it doesn't sound like an enjoyable experience. There is a reason it won three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer. The music is fantastic, there are laugh out loud funny parts and tearful parts, lots of heartfelt emotions." He continued, "We needed to bring mental illness out of the shadows, build awareness, make it less stigmatized and talk about it. This experience is happening all around us and most have no idea."

"Next to Normal" runs Friday, September 26 through Sunday, October 12 at the North Park Theatre. For tickets and more information call 858.560.5740 or go to sdmt.org.