Most musicals are of the upbeat variety, choked full with feel-good dance numbers and whimsical banter.
Next to Normal is not like most musicals.
Bolstered by a thrilling, contemporary score, Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse about a family trying to take care of themselves and each other, and deals with such hard and topical real-life modern problems as mental illness and mis-use of prescription drugs.
The show runs at 7:30 p.m. next Wednesday through Saturday (May 16 to 19) at Evergreen Cultural Centre and is put on by the Coquitlam-based Theatrix Youtheatre Society.
"The show itself is based on someone who has not dealt with the grief of losing a loved one," says Theatrix artistic director Deborah Solberg. "It deals with issues of being diagnosed, especially being misdiagnosed, and [the use of] pharmaceuticals."
Acclaimed by Rolling Stone magazine as a ground-breaking musical "that pushe[d] Broadway in new directions," Next to Normal leaves audiences to study and later discuss the intense drama and question of life after death the show exudes.
"There's definitely a lot of subject material to talk about, apart from the spiritual aspect of it all, as well," Solberg says.
The cast includes Elizabeth Cushnie as the lead, suburban mom Diana; Dmitri Antos as Dan; Sevan Kochikarian as Natalie; Frankie Cena as Gabe; Sheamus Collins as Henry; and Shayne Solberg as Dr. Fine/Madden.
While she says the acting is first rate, Deborah Solberg adds "the music is stunning, absolutely stunning. It's not to be missed."
A live ensemble under the direction of Kelvin Lui and Clare Lee comprises Douglas College music students Yu-Ri Lee (violin); Sayako Nakano (violin); Hooman Roshanravan (cello); Allison Lam (percussion); Clare Lee (piano); Eva Pekar (percussion/synthesizer).
A preview-performance rate of $12 happens next Wednesday. Tickets for the Thursday to Saturday shows are $20 and can be bought by calling 604-927-6555 or at www.evergreenculturalcentre.ca.
