Next to?Normal: An American rock musical with Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt
May 4 @ 6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
A Benefit for Naropa Community Counseling
Off Broadway Arts at Pine Street Church of Boulder partners with local directors Melissa Williams and Stefanie Raccuglia to present “Next to Normal,” a rock musical advocating for Mental Health Awareness Month and raising funds for Naropa Community Counseling Center. The production, penned by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, portrays Diana’s struggle with bipolar disorder and its impact on her family. It bravely addresses mental health issues like suicidal ideation, grief, trauma, and the importance of seeking support. Through the characters’ journeys, it emphasizes the multifaceted nature of healing.
“Next to Normal” is staged as a site-specific musical at Pine Street Church, known for its inclusive community and appreciation for the arts. Co-directors Williams and Raccuglia infuse the production with their expertise, drawing on mental health and storytelling backgrounds. Despite the unconventional venue, the church’s atmosphere complements the production’s themes of healing and introspection.
The event includes fundraising activities to support Naropa Community Counseling Center, which provides affordable, mindfulness-based mental health services to the community. Through this collaboration, the production aims to engage and educate audiences on mental health issues while fostering a sense of community understanding and support.
Produced by:
Off Broadway Arts at Pine Street Church
Boulder, CO
Co-Directed and Choreographed by:
Melissa Williams & Stefanie Raccuglia
Music Directed by:
Zerek Dodson
THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 – Opening Night Celebration
6:30 pm – Doors Open
6:45 pm – Guest Speakers, William Monroe & Joy Redstone – Naropa Community Counseling Center
7:00 – 9:30 pm –?Next to Normal Musical Production (there will be one 15 minute intermission)
FRIDAY, May 3, 2024
6:30 pm – Doors Open
7:00 – 9:30 pm –?Next to Normal Musical Production (there will be one 15 minute intermission)
SATURDAY, May 4, 2024 – TWO EVENTS
11:45 am – Doors Open
12:00 noon –?“Voices for Mental Health: An Afternoon with ‘Next to Normal’”
A concert-style event showcasing a curated selection of musical numbers from the show alongside discussions with a panel of mental health professionals.
Reservations & Donations to support the Naropa Community Counseling Center
CLOSING PERFORMANCE
6:30 pm – Doors Open
6:45 pm – Guest Speakers, William Monroe & Jessica Whitesel- Naropa Community Counseling Center
7:00 – 9:30 pm –?Next to Normal Musical Production?(there will be one 15 minute intermission)
9:30 pm – Post-Show Q&A with Actors and Creative Team
Arrive early to all events to find street parking, enjoy the Art Exhibition featuring Artist William Stoehr, the Mental Health Resource Fair & refreshments.
Show Synopsis
This musical delves into the narrative of Diana, a mother grappling with worsening bipolar disorder, and the profound impact on her family of managing her condition. Exploring themes such as grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, psychiatric ethics, and the underbelly of suburban life, the production confronts modern stigmas on “mental illness” and concerns related to contemporary psychiatric medicine. In addition the show gives a poignant portrayal of family dynamics, illustrating the weight we learn to carry for each other, intentionally or not.
Please be advised that this production deals with the following topics:
- Real mental health diagnoses (depression, anxiety, bipolar, disassociation, depersonalization, etc.)
- Suicidal ideation and attempts
- Psychopharmacological interventions (and commonly used name-brand drugs)
- The complex trauma that can come from grief and loss
- Delusions and Hallucinations
- Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT)/ “Electric Shock Therapy”
- Family dynamics and systems trauma
