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Next To Normal

AQUINAS COLLEGE THEATRE PRESENTS

Next to Normal

Music by

Tom Kitt

Book & Lyrics by

Brian Yorkey

Original Broadway Production Produced by David Stone,
James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo and Second Stage Theatre

Orchestrations by Michael Starobin and Tom Kitt
Vocal Arrangements by AnnMarie Milazzo

New York Premiere Produced by Second Stage Theatre, New York, February 2008
Carole Rothman, Artistic Director
Ellen Richard, Executive Director
Next to Normal was subsequently produced by Arena Stage in November 2008.

Developed at Village Theatre, Issaquah, WA (Robb Hunt, Executive Producer, Steve Tomkins, Artistic Director)
An earlier version was presented in the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival.
Support for the development of Next to Normal was provided by the Jonathan Larson Foundation.

Any video and/or audio recording of this production is strictly prohibited.

Cast Biographies

Gabrielle Lee (Diana) (she/her) is a junior at Aquinas College, studying Theatre with an emphasis on Musical Performance with a minor in Music Theory. Embarking on her favorite and most challenging role to date, Diana, Gabrielle's past credits include Frances O'Connell in These Shining Lives, Emma Borden in Lizzie: The Musical, Amanda/Sarah in For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls / The Actor's Nightmare, and Aphrodite in Metamorphoses. Gabrielle could not be more thankful for this cast, this role, and this journey, and hopes that you enjoy the show and this story every bit as much as she does.

Henry Vredevelt (Dan) (he/him) is thrilled to be making his Aquinas College theatrical debut as Dan in Next to Normal. A second-semester sophomore, Henry is studying Music Education with hopes of becoming a choir director. In his free time, you can find Henry at the piano, or singing and studying in the AMC. Henry would like to thank you for your support and hopes you enjoy the show.

Jonas Grummet (Gabe) (he/him) is a freshman at GRCC making his stage debut at Aquinas Theater. He has taken to the stage since he was 11 years old, his most recent show the Rocky Horror Show at the Grand Rapids Civic Theater in the role of Eddie. He would like to thank Kai Beuker, his partner and best friend, for supporting him both outside and inside of the show as a member of the crew.

Mary Kampe (Natalie) (she/her) is a sophomore at Aquinas studying Vocal Performance. She is an active member of three choral ensembles as well as the president of the AQ Music Club. She is thrilled to be making her AQ theatre Debut as Natalie!

Santiago Meija (Henry) (he/him) has a passion for creativity through voice acting, and he started his theater career his senior year at West Catholic as a quick, fun thing to do without knowing how much he'd fall in love with acting. This show will be his first big role, and he's infinitely grateful and thankful for everyone who supported him on his journey, especially his mom who has shown endless love and support to her son. The best part of shows to him are seeing his family in the audience come out and watch him perform.

Ashlyn Armock (Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine) (she/her) is a first year student at Aquinas College. This is her second production with AQ, and she is very excited to be playing the parts of Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine. In past productions she has acted in Anne of Green Gables, Cinderella, All Shook Up, Bells are Ringing, and Twelfth Night. She thanks all of her friends who have supported and encouraged her to continue theatre.

Production Bios

Penny Avery (Theatre Program Head ) (she/her) joined the Aquinas College faculty in 1994 and currently serves as both the Communication Department Chairperson and the Theatre Program Director with a PhD in Communication from Michigan State University and a MA and BS from Central Michigan University in Secondary Education with certification in English and Speech/Theatre. She was a member of the facility planning team when the Performing Arts Center was designed and loves to see the space being utilized to share arts with diverse audiences through Aquinas College’s partnerships with Community Circle Theatre and the Grand Rapids Catholic Schools. In her early years at AQ, she taught Children’s Theatre (suitably renamed Theatre for Youth and Education) and directed several productions, including The Great Cross Country Race and Charlotte’s Web. She is happy to be celebrating her 30th year at AQ!

Scott Harman (Director/Director of Theatre Production) (he/him) is Assistant Professor of Theatre and Director of Theatre Production at Aquinas College. He is a PhD Candidate in Theatre at the University of Wisconsin-Madison. He also holds an MA in Theatre History from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and a BA in Theatre and Dance from Alma College. He has taught at Grand Valley State University, Alma College, Parkland College, and he is a longtime summer faculty member at the Interlochen Center for the Arts. He has worked as an actor, director, technician, teacher, and playwright at various theatre companies and schools around the country. As a scholar and researcher, he works extensively on acting theory and pedagogy.

Kels Rezmer (Music Director/Keys 1) (he/him) is a professional musician and voice coach in Grand Rapids. He has been teaching singing for 20 years, directly after graduating from Grand Valley State University with a Bachelor of Music in Vocal Performance. He also has certifications in Gender Affirming Speech (Renee Yoxon), Vocal Self Care & Resilience (Christine Schneider), Estill Voice Technique (Tom Burke). Kels was the music director for AQ’s 9 to 5 in 2023. Other music direction credits include Urinetown, American Graffiti in Concert, Women of Broadway (Circle Theatre), The Last Five Years, The Rocky Horror Show (University Wits), Pinkalicious, Blues Clues LIVE, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee - AACT Fest, and many Summer Repertory Theatre productions at Grand Rapids Civic as well as Assistant MD for Mary Poppins in 2023 at Civic. He is also an active singer and performer, and would love to dedicate his work on this show to the OBC Diana (Alice Ripley) who he was able to meet and have perform in his fundraiser cabaret for the Mental Health Foundation in 2016. Thank you to THIS cast for your trust, vulnerability, and commitment to creating original art.

Abby Kozal (Theatre Office/Media Assistant) (she/her) is a senior at Aquinas College, majoring in English: Writing and minoring in Studio Arts. Her recent acting credits include Mia in the student directed and written one-act All of This, Kathryn Schaub in Radium Girls, and Malvolio in Twelfth Night. You might see Abby working behind the scenes to run the social media pages or in Brink Hall fighting Indesign in order to make the physical programs. In her free time, Abby enjoys writing, drawing, reading comics, and going on long-winded rants about her favorite shows. She's an advocate for all things silly and whimsical (including the live action Cat in the Hat).

Kelsey Edwards (Scenic Designer) (she/her) is a graduate of Adrian College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theatre. She has been involved in many productions as a technical director and stage manager. Kelsey is very excited to be working as technical director for this season at Aquinas College. She also has experience in scenic design, costume design, and properties design. Recently, Kelsey has worked on The Moors (2021), Blithe Spirit (2021), Spitfire Grill (2021), and Abigail/1702 (2022) as a technical director.

Jess Luiz (Costume Designer) (she/her) has been a member of the Grand Rapids theatre community for over a decade, participating as a costume designer, performer, props designer and audience member. She studied Theatre at Northern Michigan University. Jess also serves as a teaching artist, sharing her love of storytelling and design through theatre arts with kids and adults of all abilities throughout the West Michigan area. She is grateful to her husband Jason for his support and their two kids for providing laughter, play, new ideas, and all the hugs.

Samuel Verburg (Lighting Designer) (they/him) Sam Verburg graduated from Aquinas College in 2020 and since then has been working in the Grand Rapids theater community as a lighting designer and master electrician, while also working at Circle Theater as the Assistant Technical Director. Some of their favorite shows to design have been Kill Move Paradise (GRCC), Ma Rainey's Black Bottom (Circle Theater), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Aquinas College), and Curious George: The Golden Meatball (Circle Theater).

Selene Rezmer (Sound Designer) (she/her) Selene has been doing shows in Grand Rapids since 2009, learning to fall in love with audio while exploring the glorious worlds that only theatre can provide. Selene graduated from Aquinas College in 2013, and has since spent most of her free time in various theaters around town, from Civic and Circle to Forest Hills Central and Caledonia. Some of her favorite shows that she has worked on include Chicago, Fun Home, The Addams Family, Caroline or Change, Young Frankenstein, Little Shop of Horrors, Reckless, Book of Days, and Sweeney Todd. She would like to thank Kels and Vanessa for their unending love, especially when forced to listen to sound effects, songs, and voiceovers on repeat while shows are being worked on.

Gabby Zeinstra (Props Designer) (she/they) Gabby is an alum of Aquinas College, holding a B.A. in Theatre with an emphasis on technical theatre. Gabby has been staying busy in the Theatre scene with credits including Costume and Props design for The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, props designs including Lizzie and most recently These Shining Lives, all at Aquinas College. Gabby has previously worked behind the scenes with Circle Theater, Pigeon Creek Shakespeare Company, Ebony Road Players, and Civic Theatre. If she isn’t doing theatre things you can find Gabby at home cuddling her cat, making delicious food, or slinging drinks as a barista. She would like to thank her loving partner Eli, family and friends for supporting her in her art and all she does!

PRODUCTION Crew

Drew Huegli (Stage Manager) (he/him) is very excited to be a part of Next to Normal as the Stage Manager for the show. He is a senior at Aquinas College studying Communications with an emphasis in Theatre and a minor in Biology. He has been a part of many shows at Aquinas such as, These Shining Lives (Assistant Director & Mr. Reed), Twelfth Night (Feste), The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane (Musician/Edward), Waking Nightmare (Hippolytus), The Thanksgiving Play (Caden), Failure: A Love Story (Assistant Stage Manager), The Arkansaw Bear (Mime), and Too Much Light Makes the Baby Go Blind (Ensemble). Other shows he has been a part of include, Mary Poppins (Bert), Bamboozled (Leandro), and Sense and Sensibility (Edward) at East Grand Rapids High School. Drew is extremely grateful for the opportunity to be a part of this show and have his first experience as a stage manager of the show. He has learned so much from this show and can't wait to put all of his new skills to use in the future. Drew hopes that you all love this show as much as he does. Drew would like to acknowledge his own community that has helped him get to where he is today. Without those people he would be a very different person, and he is so grateful for all of the encouragement and support throughout the years. Finally Drew would like to thank all of you for coming to the show and supporting the arts.

Olivia White (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) is thrilled to be the Assistant Stage Manager for Next to Normal. This is her second time being an ASM, and she can't wait for you to see the production. She congratulates the cast on an amazing show and thanks Drew Huegli, Cristiana Worthams, and Scott Harman.

Cristiana Worthams (Assistant Stage Manager) (she/her) is a sophomore majoring in Developmental Psychology. Her previous theatrical credits include Stage Manager for the Student Directed One Acts (2023), Assistant Stage Manager for Lizzie: the Musical (2024), and now Assistant Stage Manager for Next to Normal (2025). She is grateful for this amazing opportunity and hopes everyone enjoys the show!

Matthew Sloan (Light Board) (he/him) is in his second year at Aquinas College, studying Geography and Data Science. He is a part of Mission Improvable here at Aquinas, but has no prior production experience. He has lived in a world with light for two decades and is excited to have that experience translate into the position of Light Board Operator in Next to Normal.

Gabby Aguilar (Spotlight Operator) (she/her) is a third year student at Aquinas as a Theatre Lights major and Environmental Studies minor. She has previously been in the crew for Metamorphoses, The Thanksgiving Play, Lizzie, and These Shining Lives. She’s overjoyed to be a spotlight operator for Next to Normal!

Rhodey Matzke (Sound Board) (they/them) is a sophomore at Aquinas College studying English and Theatre. They have been involved in theatre since middle school and found a place backstage. They've enjoyed stage managing many shows such as The 39 Steps, The Bold, the Young and the Murdered, All of This, Lizzie and Twelfth Night. Rhodey thanks the AQ Theatre community for their hard work and hopes you enjoy the show!

Kai Beuker (Costumes/Deck) (they/she) is a freshman at GRCC studying Computer Science and Mathematics. This is Kai’s first production with AQ Theatre. They have been on stage at Civic Theater, Master Arts Theater, and Grand Rapids Christian High School. She is excited to be part of this show.

Kerrigan Smedley (Captions) (she/her) is a sophomore at Aquinas College studying Business and Communication. She was a part of the Aquinas Student Directed One Act Festival as a light operator, as well as operating subtitles for Lizzie. Additionally, Kerrigan has played Florence in the staged reading of Waiting for Lefty at Aquinas as well as numerous roles in The Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane, including Woman 1, Nellie, Lucy the Dog, Star 1, Neil, and Old Doll. Kerrigan thanks her friends and family for coming to see the show and supporting AQ Theatre!

Production Note

To describe this as a show about mental illness is to skip a rock across its surface. Yes, Diana Goodman struggles with bipolar disorder, and her family works to navigate both her treatment and their own relationships. What her illness really does, though, is to make it impossible for them all to ignore the things they don’t want to face. Their missed connections, repressed memories, unspoken tragedies, and hidden resentments all need to be dealt with before any kind of treatment can make Diana - or any of them - function any better.

I can’t help but see this work as being in conversation with another Pulitzer Prize winner - Death of a Salesman. Miller’s 1948 play - called The Inside of His Head in early drafts - took all of the trappings of the postwar economic boom - the single family home, electric refrigerators, cars, - weren’t all they were cracked up to be. It’s the difference between Willy Loman’s expectations and his reality that causes his mental world to fracture and dissolve. It’s just not possible to live in both worlds and keep your senses intact. We’ve even taken some inspiration from Jo Mielziner’s iconic scenic design for Death of a Salesman in constructing the world of this play.

What Death of a Salesman did for masculinity in the postwar boom, next to normal does for the suburban nuclear family. Mortgages and sidewalks and family calendars and picket fences all create an image of what life is “supposed to be,” but anyone who chases this ideal finds that the reality almost never matches the image. Diana is seemingly the archetype of a suburban wife and mother just as Willy Loman was the archetype of a salesman. Just like him, the irresolvable difference between what she is and what she thinks she should be fractures her very reality. She needs help, but she also needs to stop torturing herself with unrealistic demands.

This isn’t a play about tidy endings or miracle cures. Life just doesn’t work that way, nor does mental illness. However, we are offered some hope. This hope lies not within comparing ourselves to invisible benchmarks, but in connecting with ourselves and each other as honestly and authentically as we can. If we can manage that, then all the other things we do to improve our lives have a better chance of working.

Song List

ACT I

Prelude (Light)
Just Another Day
Everything Else
Who's Crazy/My Psychopharmacologist and I
Perfect for You
I Miss the Mountains
It's Gonna Be Good
He's Not Here
You Don't Know
I Am the One
Superboy and the Invisible Girl
Doctor Rock
I'm Alive
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling
A Good Step
I Dreamed a Dance
There's a World
E.C.T.
I've Been
Dad, That's Bullshit!
Didn't I See This Movie?
A Light in the Dark

ACT II

Entr'acte
Wish I Were Here
Song of Forgetting
Hey #1
Seconds and Years
Better Than Before
Aftershocks
Hey #2
You Don't Know (Reprise)
Music Box
How Could I Ever Forget?
It's Gonna Be Good (Reprise)
Why Stay?
A Promise
I'm Alive (Reprise)
The Break
Make Up Your Mind/Catch Me I'm Falling (Reprise)
Maybe (Next to Normal)
Hey #3/Perfect for You (Reprise)
So Anyway
I Am the One (Reprise)
Finale: Light

Special Thanks

Grand Rapids Civic Theatre, EmpowerU

NOTE TO AUDIENCE:

The videotaping or audio and/or visual recording of this production is a violation of United States Copyright Law and an actionable federal offense.

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