Queenie van de Zandt and Matt Hetherington in Next To Normal

Pulitzer-winning musical returns to Melbourne following 2021 opening night COVID-19 shut-down

James Terry Collective’s production of Next to Normal, re-opening next month, will see Green Room and Helpmann Award winning actor, Matt Hetherington, reprise the role of Dan that he originated in the inaugural Australian production of the Pulitzer-winning musical with the Melbourne Theatre Company (MTC) in 2011.

Matt joins Queenie van de Zandt in the lead role of Diana Goodman, Melanie Bird as Natalie Goodman, Sam Richardson as Gabe Goodman, Hanlon Innocent as Henry, and Ross Chisari as Dr Madden and Dr Fine. Tomáš Kantor as Henry Alternate and will cover Gabe Goodman and Dr Madden and Dr Fine.

This is the first time that Matt Hetherington has returned to the role since his award-winning season more than 10 years ago and said the time felt right.

“Since stepping on stage as Dan with the MTC back in 2011 I have become a father – twice – and am genuinely thrilled to be bringing this new perspective, and another decade of maturity, to the role,” Matt said.

“Over these years the conversation on mental health has also evolved, which means the incredible cast – headlined by Queenie – will bring a new level on insight and empathy to the audience. I genuinely can’t wait for the curtain to open in a matter of weeks.”

In addition to the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next To Normal’s unflinching look at a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt won three Tony Awards, including Best Original Score. The musical also garnered three Helen Hayes Awards, including Outstanding Production, during its pre-Broadway run at D.C.’s Arena Stage.

Next to Normal closed in Melbourne in July 2021 after just one performance due to the sudden state-wide lockdown, but producer, James Terry, said the response from the audience on its opening (and closing) night, and the passion and tenacity of the cast and creative team, drove him to bring the show back in 2022.

“As the cast took their first, and final, bow of the season, the audience sprung so quickly to a standing ovation, with the most thunderous applause. It was a moment I’ll never forget. We were all in shock about closing – but I knew I couldn’t let it be the final curtain,” James said.

The original creative team return including Mark Taylor (RENT, Bright Star) Choreographed by Freya List (RENT, Chess), and Musical Direction by Nathan Firmin (Bright Star, Memphis). The production also welcomes Ned Wright-Smith (Into The Woods) as the Associated Musical Director.

“While Next to Normal had its Broadway debut in 2009, its themes of mental health and our need for connection seem even more relevant in 2022,” Director, Mark Taylor, said. “Despite some of the darkness of the story, the musical ultimately offers us hope and light – two things we need more than ever today.”

Melbourne / Chapel of Chapel from March 18 – 28, 2022.
Frankston / Frankston Arts Centre from April 8 – 9, 2022.
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www.nexttonormal.com.au                                                      

@nexttonormal_au