Book and lyrics by
Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Directed by Kelda McManus
Phoenix Players at
the ANU Arts Centre to 23 July
Review by Len Power 8
July 2016
The original Broadway production of ‘next to normal’ won the
2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to
receive the honour. A hard-hitting drama
about a mother suffering from bipolar and the effect on those around her, it
creates a very emotional journey for both cast and audience. Just as the book of the show doesn’t sugar
coat the subject matter, the music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey don’t
pander to an audience’s usual musical expectations. The score is a stream of consciousness that
draws us into the emotional heart of the show.
Kelda McManus has done her best work as director to date
with this show. She’s kept it simple and
fast moving with good placements of the actors for the various scenes. For the most part, she has obtained very
strong performances from her actors.
She has cast the show well with a group of six actors who
can all sing the hell out of the score.
Grant Pegg is thoroughly believable as the well-intentioned husband. As his bipolar wife, Janelle McMenamin sings
the difficult central role wonderfully but there should be more depth in her
acting performance. More thought needed
to be given to the visual signs of the progression of the illness in her character
as the play unfolds.
Will Huang is excellent vocally and dramatically as the son
and Kaitlin Nihill gives a well thought out and highly satisfying performance
as the daughter coping with an ill mother and her own emotional journey as a growing
teen. Daniel Steer as the daughter’s
loyal boyfriend gives a nicely real and moving performance and Joel Hutchings in
a dual performance as two doctors is a strong and chilling presence.
The multi-level set by Steve Galinec and Anita Davenport is
simple but practical and the backdrop design works especially well, given the
subject matter. Costumes by Jennie
Norberry suit the characters very well.
The lighting design by Liam Ashton was excellent. There were a few minor technical issues with lighting
and sound on opening night that should get ironed out as the season progresses. Sound balances were generally fine.
Musical direction of the show was a triumph for Rhys Madigan
and vocal coach Dave Collins. Strong
attention has been paid to the actors’ diction in the songs, enabling the all-important
lyrics to be heard. Harmonies were crystal
clear and very pleasing and the orchestra played the score very well.
Because of the thought-provoking subject matter, this is a
very moving and memorable musical and it has been done very well. I recommend it.
