Q&A | Lower Ossington Theatre: Next To Normal

Cast of Next To Normal at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Photo by Seanna Kennedy.

Lower Ossington Theatre is set to revive the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning Broadway sensation Next To Normal for Toronto audiences with a new production lead by director Heather Braaten and musical director Paul Moody opening on August 29. The rock musical with book by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt tells the story of a mother, Diane Goodman, who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effect her illness has on her family.

Here, we chat with Braaten and Moody about their experiences mounting this emotionally powerful show.

Theatromania: Tell us about Next To Normal. What inspired this revival?

HB: Next to Normal is an award-winning contemporary rock musical that explores the issues of mental illness and how it affects a family. Although it has had massive critical acclaim, it is yet to be a “well known” theatre piece. I was definitely inspired to bring the play to Toronto audiences for that reason. It is an honest, heartwrenching piece of theatre that “needs” to be seen.

PM: Next to Normal is a thought-provoking show about a mother’s struggle with mental illness and the consequences it has for the family that love her. It explores the medical approach that is often taken, and how difficult it is to find a long term treatment for manic depression and schizophrenia. This is a piece of theatre unlike any other and a favorite around the Lower Ossington Theatre. I know that there has been interest for performing this show for years and everyone is incredibly thrilled to have this come to fruition.

Theatromania: How would you describe the production in a sentence or two?

HB: Well…that’s hard! Next to Normal is an emotionally raw, intimate production that allows you to get involved with the inner workings of a family that is struggling to survive the effects of a devastating mental illness.

PM: A powerful production that holds a great deal of relevance to our society. The actors in this show are extremely honest and demonstrate true vulnerability and artistic integrity.

Theatromania: What are some of the challenges you’ve encountered during the rehearsal process so far?

HB: I would say that the biggest challenge for me has been the emotional content of the show. It is difficult for actors to find the depths of these types of issues and portray them on stage. When you ask (as a director) for this type of emotional honesty, it feels vulnerable and scary, and so the rehearsal process needs to feel very safe. The danger of any piece that involves hard-hitting issues is that you can end up with a production that seems false or disingenuous.  I really believe that you have to get to the heart of a play like this and really live in the shoes of these characters, but that can be emotionally difficult and draining.

PM: As musical director, the most challenging aspect of this show is striking the balance between giving enough feedback to help the musical come together without hindering the actors own creative input which is essential to this sensitive piece of work.

Theatromania: Have you learned anything new or significant from this experience?

HB: Every show that I work on teaches me something new. It is the nature of the theatrical process, as you are working with new people all the time, everyone brings something new to the process. I love the team that I am working on this piece with, and really thank them for being open and courageous with their work. Next to Normal has also reminded me just how powerful music is in its ability to portray emotion.
 
PM: As a jazz and classically trained pianist I am trained to strive to be as specific as possible when it comes to the detail work. With this production that would simply not work. More important than the details in Next to Normal is being present with every single moment. For this reason, no one is looking for perfection but rather we are in search of what is most honest and genuine in each particular song.

Theatromania: What do you hope audiences take away from this performance?

HB: I can only hope that the audience takes away some of the feelings that I have had working on the piece. I think that Next to Normal presents characters that everyone can relate to and see a bit of themselves in. We often keep our struggles private from others and therefore feel isolated and alone. I think this piece offers the idea that mental illness and family dysfunction is something that touches most people in some way, and hopefully leaves people feeling hopeful. Of course, as the director, I also hope that people leave feeling entertained! The music is wonderful, and I really am excited by how our production is coming together!

PM: I am confident that the audience with leave with more empathy in their hearts and more knowledge on the topic of mental illness. This is a show that makes you feel things intensely and will enthrall you from start to finish. It is definitely one that should not be missed!

Next to Normal runs from August 29 to September 29 at the Lower Ossington Theatre. Find tickets here.

Gallery