FEB 7, 2024 - Center Stage Theatre announces auditions for the Tony Award^® and Pulitzer Prize^®-winning rock musical Next to Normal at Midland Center for the Arts on March 6 and 7, with performances scheduled from May 17 to 26. Tommy Wedge, Assistant Professor of Theatre at SVSU, will direct the production, with music direction by Jim Hohmeyer. The Center is searching for actors aged 16 and up to fill the six roles in this electric production. Auditions are scheduled for Wednesday, March 6, and Thursday, March 7 from 6:30 – 9:30 PM at the Center.

An emotional powerhouse of a show with a thrilling rock score, Next to Normal, winner of 3 Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, takes an honest look at the sometimes harsh realities of life. The Goodmans seem like a ‘perfect loving family’ to the outside world. Still, inside their suburban home, they secretly struggle to deal with the unpredictability of their mother’s worsening mental health. As the family navigates their changing world, they deal with pressing contemporary issues such as trauma, loss, mental health treatment, and what it means to be “normal.”

"To me, Next to Normal is perhaps the best example of what contemporary musical theatre can do," says Director Tommy Wedge, "[the show] specifically addresses mental health, not only in its protagonist Diana but also through every member of her family. Given what we have all gone through these past four years and more since the pandemic, I cannot think of a better musical to end our season."

The production will run for six performances over two weekends in the Little Theater at Midland Center for the Arts on May 17 - 19 and 24 - 26. All participants in the production must be fully vaccinated. This show contains adult material. Rehearsals begin Sunday, March 17, and will occur three to four times per week leading up to performances. For more information on auditions and what auditionees should be prepared for, please visit www.midlandcenter.org/audition.

Tickets for Next to Normal are on sale now and available online at www.midlandcenter.org, by calling (989) 631-8250, or by visiting the box office at 1801 W. St. Andrews Rd., Midland MI.

Next to Normal has a book and lyrics written by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. Next to Normal is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI.