“tick, tick… BOOM!” CYGNET’S LATEST FARE.

 Cygnet’s latest fare, “tick, tick …Boom!” with book, music and lyrics by  Jonathan Larson and directed by Katie Banville,  takes us back to the 1990’s in a small apartment in New York City (Yi Chen Lee) where Jon (AJ Rafael) is about to turn 30 and is racing with the clock to write a successful play before that happens. He is also racing with the clock and shares his anxiety about it with us all.

Jim Croce died in a plane crash before he would know the success of his hit song “Time in a Bottle”. Buddy Holly, pioneer of Rock n’ Roll died at age 22. Jonathan Larson would die suddenly of an aortic dissection, or tear in the inner layer of the aorta, at age 35, the night before “Rent” officially opened. Life is so short. Time on this earth doesn’t always cooperate with our own time table; things like success and heartbreak come, ready or not.

Emma Nossal and AJ Rafael

But for Jon, it mattered not. He was bound and determined to be a success before turning 30. His friends and off and on roommates Susan and Michael (Emma Nossal and Leo Ebanks) try to encourage him to move on.

Thirteen or so musical numbers under the conductor, keyboards, of Dr. Randi Rudolph, drive the show sung alternatively, but not in any order, by each of the actors. Michael and Susan (Leo Ebanks and Emma Nossal) move in and out of scenes as well as the apartment they shared. Susan teaches dance to wealthy kids and wants to move to the Cape as in Cape Cod and Michael  took a job in the financial world to make money. He tools around in a BMW.

Emma Nossel, AJ Rafael and Leo Ebanks

Before his 30th birthday, Jon spends time on what he will consider his successful musical, Superbia. He has been working on it for five years. He worries that no one will come to his presentation but  all the seats are filled including one with his idol Stephen Sondheim. But no one commits to the project and Jon is feeling rejected again. When he tells his best friend Michael that he's quitting show business, Michael shares with him  that he is dying from HIV. 

Both Ebanks and Nossal make use of the whole stage as well as the aisles. Rafael, who is on stage for the entire 90+ minute show and is making his Cygnet Theatre debut, anchors the show. Both Nossal and Ebanks add a certain degree of versatility and charm.  Unfortunately, Rafael lacked the charisma, appeal magnetism call it what you will, to carry off this overwhelming task. His emotional range lacked depth and he was short on that convincing pull to thoroughly engage us. Something more was needed to feel his angst. 

 Joshua Heming’s lighting design is perfect atmospheric lighting for Jon’s apartment. Peter Herman’s wigs are always perfect, Yi-Chien Lees set design meets the standard of his Soho apartment and Salvador Zamora’s sound was too loud. 

AJ Rafael

However, when all is said and done, we know who Jonathan Larson was a great artist. At least he had time to compose “Rent”,  but died before it opened. 

See you at the theatre.

When: July 6 and runs through Aug. 4. 7 p.m. 

Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town San Diego

Tickets: $30 and up

Photo: Karli Cadel

Phone: (619) 337-1525

Online: cygnettheatre.com

“BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE” A MUST SEE AT BACKYARD RENAISSANCE THEATRE COMPANY

Before the curtain even went up on opening night of Backyard Renaissance  Theatre downtown on 10 Ave, the theatre was dark, the ushers needed flashlights to help patrons find their seats and one could scarcely see the programs without said light. Or… a preview of what was to come? This was after all the opening night of Martin McDonagh’s “Beauty Queen of Leenane” a colorful, yet psychological dark comedy. 

McDonagh, not known for his subtlety, jumps right into a family drama that has been playing out even before we entered the picture. 

JESSICA JOHN AND DEBORAH GILMOUR SMYTH

Set in the County Galway village of Leenane, off the west coast of Ireland, mother and daughter Mag (Deborah Gilmour Smyth) and Maureen (Jessica John) live together as antagonists on a dangerous highway. They  duke it out in a war of words potent enough to knock a world champion boxer flat on her back. Mag manipulates; Maureen counters and falls into the trap only to impose her own form of cruelty. 

  

Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Nick Daugherty

Maureen is forty, unmarried and has no life (read no love life). Mag is a controlling hag and wants a pound of Maureen’s flesh. As the banter pierces the air, the audience is taken on a roller coaster ride through the pain, pathos, humor and horror of these women’s lives. No easy fete this, since if one had to choose who the good guy was, one would be hard pressed. But there is more.

Deborah Gilmour Smyth and Jessica John

Two neighboring brothers Pato and Ray (MJ Siebner and Nick Ritz Daugherty) bring a different vibe into the Folan house of horrors. Call Daugherty’s performance high voltage. Pato, a potential mate for Maureen is sensitive and caring. It is a disturbance for Mag as she sees the possibilities. While Ray who adds some comic relief, is the deliverer of news that sets most of the motion into play for Mag as she reacts in her own indomitable way and John softens her stance a bit, becomes sexier while Siebner gives a standout performance as he reads, aloud, a letter he wrote to Maureen about his intentions. In Pato’s  eyes Maureen is his beauty queen of Leenane. 

Jessica John, Deborah Gilmour Smyth and MJ Sieber

 The first time Gilmour Smyth and John teamed up was in 2023 also at BYR in “August: Osage Orange County” where they played mother and daughter. The dynamic duo is at it again but in a much darker and dangerous environment. Both women are at the top of their game as ‘if looks could kill, Mag has them all.’ Maureen’s head spins as she deliberately plots her next move. 

MJ Sieber

Director Francis Gercke is so precise in his every move as this production has excellence written all over it. Curtis Mueller’s lighting also reflects the mood, and Toni Cucuzzla’s set has a wood fire burning stove, fussy but workable kitchen and forever rain on the windows of the Irish cottage. (He is also the properties designer) Dialect coach Grace Delaney has the accents and Irish swag down to a tee (at least it sounded right to me) and Jessica John Gercke designed the period clothes and Logan  Kirkendall designed the sound (I’m supposing the static sounds on the radio in the background.)

Jessica John and...

With that careful and to every detail, director Francis Gercke and assistance by Hanna Meade “Beauty Queen” production, soars. It's the  perfect combination of McDonagh’s script and the bigger than life cast breathing life and advancing the well -conceived plot. This production has five stars written all over it.  It is a must see.

“Beauty Queen” made its San Diego premiere in 2021.   It is the first of three plays in the “Connemara Trilogy” by Martin McDonagh. Before making its way to Broadway, where it won 4 Tony Awards (1998), it was produced for The Druid Theatre Company in Galway, Ireland in 1996. 

Enjoy! 

See you at the theatre.

When: June 29 and runs through July 13. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays; 3 p.m. Sundays. (Also 7:30 p.m. July 2-3 and 7 p.m. July 8.) Through July 13.

Where: Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Ave., San Diego

Tickets: $18-$40

Photo: Daren Scott

Phone: (760) 975-7189

Type: Dark Comedy

Online: backyardrenaissance.com

“THE COLOR PURPLE” A MUSICAL ABOUT LOVE: A DREAM COME TRUE FOR NVA

 When people think of “The Color Purple”, the first thing that comes to mind is the movie with Oprah Winfrey and Whoopi Goldberg.  But long before the movie entered the picture, Alice Walker, the first Black woman to win a Pulitzer Prize for fiction, wrote the novel “The Color Purple” about a queer Black heroine set at the beginning of the twentieth century, in rural Georgia. The musical adaptation came out in 2005. Her Pulitzer Prize was awarded in 1982. 

Now, in the midst of racial, identity (even after celebrating Juneteenth) and religious tensions, the Dea Hurston New Village Arts Center in Carlsbad is mounting a beautiful, colorful, thoughtful and meaningful production/musical of Ms. Walker's novel through July 21st.

Cast 

Every cast member is black and on opening night several of the cast members were understudies; but no matter, they were excellent and but for the fact that the changes were in the program, no one would have known, least of all yours truly. 

Marsha Norman wrote the book for this musical with music and lyrics by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray with deft directing by Kandace Crystal. 

Taylor Renee Henderson and Nio Russell

The story traces fourteen year old Celie (Nio Russell) through her growing up, years to her-self -realization of her becoming a woman, to her trials and tribulations as a young girl trying to protect her sister, Nettie (Taylor Renee Henderson) to being forced into an abusive marriage to Mister (Kirk Brown) by her cruel ‘Pa’ (Kevane La’Marr Coleman) to meeting entertainer Shug (Hadiyyah Noelle) who Celie nurses her back to health after being run down from some 'nasty woman's disease'. Both find comfort and love with and for each other. The story takes place over a time period from 1909 to 1947

Jasmine January is perfect as a defiant Squeak along with the chorus of churchgoing ladies (somewhat like a Greek Chorus) led by Juanita Harris who shows up with her other church ladies to give us information about the comings and goings of the good the bad and the ugly.   

Nio Russell and Hadiyyah Noelle

Celie’s sister in law Sofia (Erin Vanderhyde Gross) who has the balls to be aggressive in her marriage to Harpo (an excellent Kingsley Jackson), is worn down by society and incarcerations. Celie befriends her as well. In case you hadn’t noticed, Ceile has the patience and character of a saint. The story is uplifting and forgiving. However, if the musical or novel came out today in theatres it would most likely be banned as it was when first was published. 

Ebony Muse, Kingsley Jackson  and Jasmine January

New Village Arts  technical and creative casts are to be congratulated for outstanding performances including Leigh Scarritt’s musical direction and Alyssa ‘Ajay’ Junious choreography, and especially Janet Pitcher’s amazing costume designs in the second act depicting the colors and fabrics of Africa. (I’m jealous).  Pitcher who has been designing costumes for years is also responsible for showing the passing of times as the characters get older and settle in to themselves. Between Jacqueline Dennis’ wigs, Kevin ‘Blax’ Burroughs lighting design and Reiko Huffman’s outlined set design and Marc Akiyama’s sound everything looks and feels picture perfect.

Nio Russell and Taylor Renee Henderson

Celie, who has a right to be bitter with what the world has thrown at her, shrugs off the negative and finds the good in everyone and is able to finally reap the rewards of finding happiness. Russell is able to come across as that woman in both vocal acumen and  sincere acting. The tunes from the musical including “Huckleberry Pie” “Mysterious Ways”, “Somebody Gonna Love You”, “Too Beautiful For Words”, “What About Love”, “The Color Purple”, “I’m Here” are among the musical numbers that speak to the characters in ways that almost want to make you up and dance. 

The Color Purple by Alice Walker has been challenged and banned from school libraries and classrooms in the United States since its publication in 1982. The book has been criticized for its "depictions of violence, sexual abuse, and other issues, including: Racism, Sexism, Poverty, Explicit language, Sexual scenes, Incest, Drug abuse, Troubling ideas about race relations, Man's relationship to God, African history, Human sexuality, Religious objections, Homosexuality.” 

Unfortunately, we have not come a long way Ms. Walker.

Let’s just say  “The Color Purple” is a dream come true for the cast and crew of New Village Arts and now more than ever must be seen. 

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre.  

When: Opens June 22 and runs through July 21. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays. 

Select Wednesdays at 2 p.m.

Where: New Village Arts, 2787 State St., Carlsbad

Tickets: $33 and up

Phone: (760) 433-3245

Photo: Daren Scott

Online: newvillagearts.org

“BALLAD OF JOHNNY AND JUNE”. AN ODE FROM THEIR SON

 Johnny and June Carter Cash were married for thirty five years. Some might call it a fairy tale romance, others might consider it a marriage of convenience. Both had spouses when they met, as snippets of their lives  and of how and when it began and ended are seamlessly segued into the story.   

This new musical/ ballad about these legends is now making its world premiere on the stage of The La Jolla Playhouse at the Mandell Weiss Theatre through July 7th. With book by Robert Cary and Des McAnuff,  music by Johnny Cash, June Carter Cash and others, choreographed by Byron Easley and directed by McAnuff,  the tell all tale saga looks to be a rousing success.

John Carter Cash, the only biological child of the musical couple, in collaboration with McAnuff ‘tells it like it was behind the scenes from different points of view’ giving us, the audience, the option to see the royal  couple through a different lens. Narrating the story and playing guitar, the talented 25 year old Cash Or JC (Van Hughes) goes back to the beginnings of the Carter Family where June was a singing sensation on her own. and Cash was coming up through the ranks. Some say they first met at The Grand Ole Opry in 1958.

Patti Murin, Christopher Ryan Grant and Van Hughes

others have differing opinions. 

The story and the music  zigs and zags through the Carter’s to the Cash Family and John’s strict bible thumping family with a no good father, a brother who died in a work accident as a young man, and a would be singer. Where and when they met again is open to speculation, but let’s just say the attraction was there. from the start. June’s family  was a singing family and from the outset looked rather ‘normal’ if you will. The story takes us through the different/difficult  stages of their lives; their drug addiction, alcohol abuse, physical abuse, emotional turmoil and making music together.

Cash started his musical career at Sun Records in Memphis in 1954 where he had an impromptu jam session with Elvis (who was already a star in his own right), Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins that soon became called the ‘Million Dollar Quartet.’ Several versions of this show have been seen locally and with equally talented actors.  Christopher Ryan Grant played Cash on Broadway. (Locally, Charles Evans Jr. comes to mind.)

Original photo Elvis at piano

But in 1956 success followed him again with one of his all time favorites, “I Walk The Line”, (His signature song). “Ring of Fire” written by June and was later re -recorded by Johnny with a new twist  became another instant success. It was surrounded by all kind of speculation as to how and why the song was written. Let’s just say it's a dandy of a song. Moons later a wonderful musical of “Ring of Fire’ was produced at The Laguna Playhouse. There are no shortages of Johnny Cash impersonators and they are all worthy. The production at The Laguna Playhouses production might be considered a Jukebox musical dedicated to The Man In Black, whereas our new production is not. 

Patti Murin and Christopher Ryan Grant

For this current production Christopher Ryan Grant is exceptional as the elder Cash with a deep bass baritone voice to match his good looks. Patti Murin is a perfect choice as June; pleasant, fun good looking warm and personable. There was also strong connection between the two on stage. Maddie Shea Baldwin, Drew Wildman Foster, Bart Satto, Paula Leggett Chase and Correy West play multiple roles, family and sort of round out some missing pieces as well as play multiple instruments.  So much talent on one stage, so much toe tappin’ hand clapping and foot rocking, rockabilly  brought the audience together having a blast. 

Cash made a pair of recordings, one from Folsom Prison( “Folsom Prison Blues”)  and the other from San Quentin that went gold. He was never an inmate, so they say, but spent the night on seven occasions for minor disruptions. He described himself as ‘The Man In Black” having a soft spot for the underdog. 

Scene showing the couple performing together.

With live orchestra on stage (musicians everywhere) the orchestra is conducted by keyboard/ music director Lisa LeMay. Musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Ron Melrose, Robert Brill (who was in the house on opening night) designed the set with an open and airy feeling like the inside of a train in the background, makeshift homes and the stage of the Grand Ole Opry. Costume design by Sarafina Bush, lighting by Amanda Zieve, wigs by Alberto “Albee” Alvarado, projections by Sean  Nieuwenhuis.

Patti Murin and Christopher Ryan Grant

As an aside: The connection with the Playhouse and McAnuff goes way back to when Mc Anuff directed Roger Miller’s “Big River” (one of my all-time favorites). Cash saw it on Broadway and became an instant admirer of both Miller  and Des. So, it made sense that the younger Cash would migrate to La Jolla and work together with McAnuff and push for on his take of the backstage story of his parents. 

I did happen see Johnny Cash live when he was honored at Kennedy Center Honors Awards in 1956 where his daughter Rosanne Cash paid tribute to him and sang “I’ll Walk The Line”, and  I believe when he performed live from Folsom Prison in 1968 and he sang “The Folsom Prison Blues”.   

My Dad was a country /western fan as well as loving opera. Go figure! So, I just tagged along and developed a love for both. 

From The Playhouse, The Ballad Of Johnny and June” will move to Edmonton, Canada which is co-producing the show in November. 

We wish them well. 

Story well told, familiar music that I could understand, a look back in fond memory of one of the nation’s legends and an evening well spent. 

Enjoy. 

See you at the theatre. 

When: June 9 and runs through July 7. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 1 and 7 p.m. Sundays

Where: Mandell Weiss Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla

Tickets: $25-$119

Phone: (858) 550-1010

Photo: Rich Soublet II)

“FAT HAM”: A "HAMLET" REDO

 The restaging of “Fat Ham” by playwright James Ijames’ 2022 Pulitzer Prize winning play, which also earned 5 Tony nominations, is currently playing at the Old Globe through June 23rd. 

To say that sooo much is happening in Ijames play would be an understatement: Based loosely on Shakespeare’s “Hamlet”, ghosts appear and magically disappear, karaoke, board games and charades are played out. Juicy (Sola Fadiran) our main character, is front and center in this redo of Shakespeare’s work.

The play unfolds as a tragic/comedy but with a whimsical take on the revenge tragedy of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” when the Danish King is killed and Hamlet goes off the deep end to think that his uncle killed his father and married his mother. But you don’t have to know all this to appreciate “Fat Ham”. Just follow the bouncing ball.

Sola Fadiran, Ethan Henry, Felicia Boswell

Juicy’s problems begin when his friend and cousin Tio (Xavier Pacheco) sees a ghost and tells him what he just saw. Since Tio is almost always stoned, Juicy ignores him until the ghost demands, that Juicy “make his killers thighs into hams, his intestines into chitlins” and serve him up butchered on a table”.  That killer would be Rev (Ethan Henry ) or Juicy’s uncle.

Juicy is an overweight, black,  gay man who doesn’t want to avenge his father’s killer. He just wants to keep attending the University of Phoenix and get his degree in Human resources. He’s not about revenge. According to both uncle and father, Juicy is too soft. They want him to be more like a man but Juicy does not want to be guided by the violence that preceded him.  He wants to break that cycle of strong man tactics and be guided by fate, compassion, identity, family and connection as seen through the eyes of the Black Experience. 

Sola Fadiran

The action begins when Juicy is busy getting ready for a backyard BBQ to celebrate Tedra’s, (Felicia Boswell)  Juicy’s mother’s  marriage to her dead husband’s brother. All the necessities are brought out from Maruti Evans realistic one story home in  the burbs somewhere in the deep south. Evans set design looks like any other peaceful backyard with BBQ, tables and the like. What ensues there, however, is pandemonium. 

m, Xavier Pacheco, Tian Richards, Sola Fadiran

Tedra is bounding with excitement and wants everyone to get along but with this group, as each of her invited guests come to celebrate, the comedy/drama unfolds in waves of chaos and mayhem. Family friend Rabby (Yvette Cason who is a scream and a half and often steals the show) along with  her daughter Opal (m) have as much to reveal as do Juicy and Marine son Larry (Titan Richards). They all have their own stories/secrets to tell. 

The dramedy is emboldened by strong leadership with director Sideeq Heard directing  a solid ensemble and individual standout performers sure of themselves and knocking out as much comedy, empathy and tragedy in equal parts as to draw us in in most unexpected ways. 

Sola Fadiran and Felicia Boswell

Felicia Boswell is one amazing singer and performer. Soft as a mother and a sex crazed woman who can’t stand to be alone. She has a pattern of marrying abusive men.  Ethan Henry (Rev/Pap) is as mean and abusive as the day is long taking no prisoners, Xavier Pacheco’s Tito gives an outstanding monologue wrapping it all up before a standout Las Vagas ending, with Bradley Kings lighting, Mikaal Sulaiman’s sound and Skylar Fox illusion design. Adding to that Earon Chew Nealey designed the wigs, hair and makeup and Dominique Fawn Hill, costumes.

All in all, it was one different night than one expected, but one that got one thinking that not everything has to fit neatly in a little package.  

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre. 

When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays and Wednesdays; 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays. Through June 23

Where: Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, San Diego

Tickets: $35 and up

Phone: (619) 234-5623

Photo: Rich Soublet II)

Online: theoldglobe.org

THELMA AND LOUISE : TL;DR: THELMA AND LOUISE: DYKE REMIX” DIVERSIONARIES QUEER VERSION OF THE SAME BUT NOT THE SAME.

For those of you who thought Thelma and Louise of the movie died when they went over a cliff at the Grand Canyon while police were in pursuit, think again. 

Yup, they are alive and well as lesbians in their blue ‘66 T Bird in their afterlife. Think if you will, that what we expect, isn’t always what we get. 

Good news/Bad news: I remember the movie: Good news.  The only thing I remember about it is the ending: Bad news. The good news is that “TL; DL, Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” is full of surprises. 

The two protagonists Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob are talented as are the high energy and very loud band members. T is sweet and  naive and L's bestie. L  is protective of her best friend'. 'The Basass Band is a  rock band made up of folks who are not cis men.'

Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob

 The film is about girlfriends Thelma and Louise our co hero’s. In the play Thelma or T (Sophia Araujo-Johnson) and L …you get the point (Sara Porkalob) are on a journey to discover ‘Is there a right or wrong way to be gay?” 

Several years in the making, this world premiere production  with book and lyrics by Ella Rose Chary, music and lyrics by Brandon James Gwinn and directed by Sherri Eden Barber, “TL; Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” is a co -production with Moxie Theatre. Now executive director Jenny Chase and interim artistic director Stephen Brotebeck are completing what former artistic director Matt Morrow started before the pandemic. 

Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sara Porkalob

Back to the story. TL are not alone in making decisions as to the right or wrong way to be queer. There are  the band members to consider: Marie (Lyric Boothe), guitar, Henrietta (Faith Carrion), aux instruments, Blazer (MG Green) bass and  Cubby (Steph Lehane.), drums. They all have their own ideas and have no trouble expressing them with song, dance and prance.

They sing and act out about 16 or 17 musical numbers. Unfortunately, the sound was  too loud the night I attended. The autistics as well were  not very good so that yours truly could barely understand a word. I did however get the gist of the first number: “Why Do Strong Female Characters Always Gotta Die?” Good question.

Sara Porkalab

Along with their gay Encyclopedia “Lesbiannica” and some animation, a few characters dressed in furry overstuffed costumes, (a la lobster and unicorn) and quite a few F bombs, “TL; DR Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix”  plus the band, rolled merrily along finding their way to a happy ending with the understanding that to be Queer is whatever you want it to be. 

Define it. Be it. Live it. Love it. Their quest to find the answers took about 90 minutes and then some.

Both Sophia Araujo-Johnson and Sarah Porkalob do great work as T&L. Both seasoned and looking great.  Much of what they have to go through seems tricky but they were able to make the journey into the Dyke Remix feel real.  

Lyric Boothe, MG Green, Faith Carrion, Steph LeHane, Sophia Araujo-Johnson

And while I did not hear the words to most of the lyrics, “The World Is Our Oyster”, “Love Yourself”, “Let’s Keep Going”, as listed in the program, all seemed like a good beginning. 

The creative team: Steven Leffue, Sound Design; Annelise Salazar, Co-Lighting Design; Colby Freel, Co-Lighting Design; Chanel Mahoney, Costume Design; Yi - Chien Lee, Scenic Design; Sierra, Projection Design, Leah Osterman, Projection Design; Jasmine Villalino, Stage Manager. 

As in all new works TL; Thelma and Louise: Dyke Remix” will need some fine tuning by taking what they have now and elevating it to something bigger, with more depth added to the story.  

Enjoy.

See you at the theatre, 

Through June 9. 7 p.m. Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays

Where: Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights

Tickets: $26.50-$71.50

Phone: (619) 220-0097

Photo: Talon Reed Cooper

Online: diversionary.org

 

“NEXT TO NORMAL” : EVERY FAMILY HAS ONE

I may be prejudice, but “Next To Normal”, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, musical staging by Sergio Trujillo and music by Tom Kitt is one of my all-time favorite Tony Award winning shows.

“Next To Normal” opened on Broadway in 2009 and was nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and won three, Best Score, Best Orchestration and Best Actress in a Musical for Ms. Ripley. Just for the frosting on the cake it also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. It will be playing at The Oceanside Theatre in Oceanside through May 26th. 

Someone must be paying attention. 

Danny Holmes, Melissa Fernandes and Berto Fernandez

Family illness is at the core of this heartwarming, touching yet gut wrenching and brilliant musical, bordering on operatic (it’s considered a rock opera) proportions. With and Melissa Fernandes and Berto Fernandez in the leads, this production pulses energy throughout.

Melissa Fernandes, Berto Fernandez, Salema Gangani

The story centers on Diana Goodman (Melissa Fernandes) at the heart of the Goodman family. The glue that holds it together, for better or worse, is her husband Dan (Berto Fernandez) 

For eighteen years the Goodman family, for reasons you will learn when you see the play yourself, has been struggling to cope with Diana’s Bipolar disease, anxiety and the trickle down effects of a series of mental disabilities, much to the detriment of their daughter Natalie (Salima Gangani) and son Gabe, (Danny Holmes) “Super Boy and the Invisible Girl”, and husband Dan.  

Melissa’s voice is vibrant, pulsating, solid and on mark. Her portrayal of Diana is heartbreaking, somewhat like an open wound that won’t heal. She is a lost soul deep in her schizophrenia with moments of lucidness that conjure both pathos and humor much to the credit of Yorkey’s lyrics.

Daniel Filippi,  Danny Holmes, Melissa Fernandes

Her interpretation of “I Miss The Mountains, I Miss The Pain”, where she recognizes that ‘everything is perfect, nothing is real”…and she misses her life, just about sums up her tortured and drug laden mind. It gives us insight to her agony. On the outside, she goes through the motions but just beneath the surface there is a ticking time bomb ready to explode at any moment. 

No one dies of an incurable illness in “Next To Normal”. The sickness that’s paralyzing this suburban family is a silent killer because it destroys life little by little red, green and white, chewable and swallow whole pill at a time. (“Who's Crazy/My Psycho pharmacologist”).

Melissa and Berto

Daniel Filippi making his Oceanside Theatre debut, is a perfect fit into this company’s rendering as one of Diana’s many psychiatrists. He has the look, the voice and the right comportment adding another dimension and a bit of comic relief to the role.  

Fernandez’ Dan, who has the patience of a saint, holds on desperately to what he thought he had and what he wants (“It’s Gonna Be Good”, “Better Than Before”). His performance is brilliant, painful and heartbreaking as he struggles, barely to keep it all together unerringly one breakdown at a time. His intense singing style, his words and emotions come on strong with eagerness and hope as he makes his way through the maze of his wife’s illness.  His, he relates after cleaning up from Diana’s attempt into the abyss, is just a slower suicide. (Catch Me I'm Falling"/“A Light in the Dark”).

Daniel Filippi and Melissa Fernandes

Salima Gangani’s Natalie gives a near perfect portrayal of the rebellious and musically talented teenager who finally comes back to the fold, from the devil you don’t know to the devil you do know.  (“Maybe/ Next to Normal”) Her soaring voice is beautiful with just the right amount truthfulness. Matching her in clarity and passion, as he moves when least expected in and out of their lives, touching them all, is Gabe (Danny Holmes), brother and son who holds the key to his families many secrets. (“I’m Alive”) His physical attributes, good looks and nimbleness give him the tools to tool around Reiko Huffman’s multi -tiered, wooden framed industrial looking set in the burbs.

Marion James Magtibay and Salima Gangani

Natalie’s stoner boyfriend, 16 year old Henry, comfortably played by Marlon James Magtibay, compliment the two as a they muddle through a budding relationship (“Super For You”) floundering and coming together. 

Fortunately for us director Frankie Errington, Dr. Randi Rudolph, Musical Director and Alyssa “Ajay” Junious, Movement Consultant formed the perfect troika to set into motion every step the cast took. 

Kevin “Blax” Burroughs’ lighting design created a ‘light unto the world’ as most of the characters has some sort of light object either on them or were arranging tiny lights in the outline of their suburban  home brought both light and darkness into this somber look at the underside of mental illness, yet always with a ray of hope at the end of the tunnel.  Props and set dressings where ‘things’ were stored or kept, and arranged by McKenna Foote. 

Zoë  Trautmann designed the current day clothing.

In the background the five piece band with Dr. Randi Rudolph conducting and on Piano, Nikko Nobleza on Guitar, Jared Pasimio on Bass, Mike Dooley on Drums and Abigail Allwein on Violin. 

Danny Holmes, Marion James Magtibay, Melissa, Salima Gangani and Daniel Filippi

Staging a musical about mental illness might not be for everyone, but I would recommend this one highly. Pulling the covers over our heads is not an option for helping someone in need and someone is in need every moment of every day. 

See you at the theatre.

When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2 p.m. Sundays; through May 24

Where: Oceanside Theatre Co. at the Brooks Theater, 217 N. Coast Highway, Oceanside

Tickets: $40 

Photo: Ken Jacques

Online: oceansidetheatre.org