What’s “Normal?” SJU Theatre Company Presents Award-Winning Musical
Jennifer Tague ‘20 as Natalie and Ray Zuhowski ‘21 as Gabe
“Next to Normal,” the Tony Award- and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical that puts a spotlight on mental illness and how it affects families, will return to the Bluett Theatre stage at Saint Joseph’s University as SJU Theatre Company’s fall musical. The show will run October 4-7 and 18-20.
“Mental health is often a difficult topic to approach in conversation,” says Renee Dobson, associate professor of theatre and artistic director of Bluett Theatre. “I hope that this timely and powerful production can help facilitate discussions among those who see it.”
The play, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2008 and ran on Broadway from 2009 to 2011, tells the story of a mother with bipolar disorder and how she and her family deal with the condition as it worsens. With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, the play won three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming the first musical to do so since “Rent” in 1996. It was last performed at Saint Joseph’s in 2013.
SJU Theatre Company’s new production features two guest artists as the parents: Catherine Ogden plays Diana and Paul McElwee plays Dan. Thirteen student performers fill out the cast, including Jennifer Tague ‘20 as Natalie and Ray Zuhowski ‘21 as Gabe.
Following the performances on Saturday, October 6 and Thursday, October 18, audience members will be invited to participate in a talkback with Dobson, campus minister Daniel Ruff, S.J., and members of Active Minds, a student group dedicated to promoting mental health awareness.
Performances run October 4-6 and 18-20 at 8 p.m., with a matinee at 2 p.m. Sunday, October 7. Bluett Theater is located in Post Hall, on Overbrook Avenue near 56th Street. Ticket reservations are available by visiting the SJU Theatre Company website and will be for sale at the door. Tickets for SJU students, faculty and staff are $10 and general admission is $20. A portion of the proceeds from the show will be donated to the American Mental Health Association.