NEXT TO NORMAL Opens OCTOBER 4

next to normal   

Stage Director: Stephen Santa

Music Director: Patty Jimenez

Location: Cresson Lake Playhouse

                279 Shapiro Road

                Loretto, PA 15940

Performance Dates:  October 4,5, 6, 11, 12, and13 2012

Curtain: Thursday – Saturday @ 7:30 p.m.      

Tickets: $15.00     

Information or Tickets: 814-472-4333

Email:  CressonLakePlayhouse@verizon.net

Website:  www.CressonLake.com

Contact:   Elaine Mastalski, Executive Director

Next to Normal is a rock musical and the story concerns a mother played by Susan Brandt of Altoona  who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. Susan recently appeared as Elle Wood’s mother in Legally Blonde appeared in The Good Doctor, and music director for High School Musical 1 and 2. . Kevin Bean of Johnstown is Diana’s husband Dan – a constant in her life.  He previously appeared in Cresson Lake’s 2010 production of RENT and 2011 Avenue Q.  Natalie is played by Stevie Woodring of Tyrone. She is cast as Diana’s restless and overachieving daughter.  Stevie recently was seen in CLP’s recent production of Legally Blonde as Elle Woods and in Why Do Fools Fall in Love as Sally. Diane’s seventeen year old son Gabe is played by Devin Hayostek of Patton who was recently seen in Legally Blonde and directed earlier this summer Why Do Fools Fall in Love at Cresson Lake Playhouse.  Ty Quillon of Johnstown cast in the role of Henry is making his second appearance at Cresson Lake Playhouse. He was previously cast as Emmet in Legally Blonde. Rounding out the talented cast of six actors is Josh Devett as Dr. Madden, who appears to Diana as rock star.  Josh most recently appeared in CLP’s Legally Blonde as the suave and sexy Carlos, in 2011 Avenue Q, High School Musical 1 and 2.  Josh resides in Johnstown.

The production is under the direction of Stephen Santa of Pittsburgh, who is making his directorial debut at Cresson Lake Playhouse.  Stephen is well known for his directing within the Pittsburgh area having directed at City Theatre, Little Lake Theatre, Canonsburg, The Theatre Factory, Trafford, and numerous other venues in the region and Patty Jimenez of Hollidaysburg return to Cresson Lake Playhouse as the music director. She previously served as music director for CLP’s 2011 production of Wizard of OZ.

Next to Normal is a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

Next to Normal received several workshop performances before it debuted off-Broadway in 2008, winning the Outer Critics' Circle Award for Outstanding Score and receiving nominations for Drama Desk Awards for Outstanding Actress (Alice Ripley) and Outstanding Score. After an Off-Broadway run, the show then played at the Arena Stage in its temporary venue in Arlington, Virginia from November 2008 to January 2009.

The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, Best Original Score, Best Orchestration and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. The previous musical to win the Pulitzer was Rent, in 1996, which was also directed by Michael Greif. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."

  

 About the Director Stephen Santa

His critic proclaim his productions are directed with imagination and flair, is extraordinarily attuned sense of theatricality,  flexibility with compromising his vision, and understanding of the parameters of what you have to work with is a great strength of Mr. Santa. One of his greatest assets knows the abilities and limitations of the cast and crew and what he assembles on stage is solid, professional and hugely entertaining.

Mr. Santa recently completed an assistant direction position on a wonderful new musical entitled POP! at the City Theatre a musical about Andy Warhol in which Broadway star Anthony Rapp played the role of Andy.  Stephen is employed by the Pittsburgh CLO in the education and outreach department and a member of the Actors’ Equity as a performer. In August he will be directing a concert of new musicals at ARS Nova Theatre “Unchartered” in New York City.

 For more information or to place your order for tickets please call the CLP offices at 814-472-4333.  For information on group rates please contact Elaine Mastalski, Executive Director at Cressonlakeplayhouse@verizon.net .

Tickets will also be available at the door. If you have any questions or concerns please contact the Box Office Manager at 814-472-4333 or email at CressonLakePlayhouse@verizon.net.