Is "Next to Normal" Normal?

Posted by Julie Hersh on 19 June 2010 | 3 Comments

Tags: "Next to Normal", ECT, Hub Theater Group

I oringinally wrote "ls Next to Normal Normal?" for Pscyhology Today in June of 2010, after seeing the show in NY with some of my high school friends. This blog has led to an interesting series of events. First, the reaction to the blog was very strong, and this blog continues to accumulate readers over time. Then in June of 2011 a Dallas theater group, Uptown Players, asked me to talk with the cast about their production of Next to Normal. I was skeptical about how well this group might be able to pull off such a muscially complex show, but they were phenomenal. I subsequently wrote this blog Next to Normal Take II  about that experience.

Recently yet another theater group Hub Theater out of Lubbock, TX called me about Next to Normal, asking for advice on portraying someone who was mid-age, depressed, a woman with children and who did ECT (guess it is kind of hard to find someone who openly admits to that criteria!). Paula Chanda and I chatted numerous times about the show, and she graciously invited me to the opening. Unfortunately, I am anable to attend the performance in Lubbock this May, but did do a video clip promoting the show about a week ago. I will post this once available, but if anyone wants to go to the show, it is playing in May (18-20 25-27) Click to order tickets.

Had a great time meeting Barb Nunn at UT Soutwestern who filmed the video clip. She has an AMAZING collection of rubber ducks around her cubicle!

rubber duckies in force