Brilliance in Glencoe

Next to Normal – Writers Theatre

Don’t call Chicago the Second City when talking about excellent theatre. From its small storefront venues to its flashy Broadway tour productions, we have it all. And once again, Writers Theatre shows serious theatergoers why it’s considered one of the most beautiful jewels in Chicago’s theatrical crown. This Equity house consistently offers the highest quality plays and musicals, and their current presentation of Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning musical drama ranks as one of their finest productions to date.

Artistic Director Michael Halberstam made a wise decision to include this powerful, nontraditional musical to close out this current season of sensational works. This is a show that might not appeal to everyone, especially those expecting a lighthearted, fluffy musical comedy; but for the serious theatre-goer, this is an opportunity to experience true professional excellence. It’s said of musical theatre that characters break into song when emotions become too great for mere words. Kitt’s gorgeous score elevates Yorkey’s words and launches the characters‘ anger and ardor right up to the stars. Like Jonathan Larson’s “Rent,” this musical might better be called a contemporary opera, because it’s sung-through with a minimal amount of dialogue. However, what floods over the audience is a moving, character driven story crafted from raw emotions.

Without giving away the dramatic surprises hidden within this moving piece of theatre, suffice it to say that it’s a tale of survival. It’s a story about a family dealing with secrets: mental illness, drug addiction, loss and love. Once unleashed, these confidences spill out onto the stage like a flash flood. The play examines how parents and children learn to cope with what life throws at them, which isn’t always pretty.

David Cromer returns to Writers Theatre, assisted by Firebrand Theatre’s Harmony France, to direct this flawless production. They’re ably supported by Eamon Foley’s choreography, movement that seamlessly flows throughout the story. Andra Velis Simon makes her Writers debut with topnotch musical direction and a magnificent backstage orchestra that provides a musical canvas upon which this story is painted. Regina Garcia’s gorgeous wood-paneled, two-level set is sleek and modern. Dominated by a large staircase, it seamlessly incorporates mobile set pieces that quickly enable auxiliary shifts in the scene. Keith Parham’s terrific lighting design provides the perfect focus, mood and color for this production; and Rachel Anne Healy’s contemporary costume choices artistically and specifically define each character.

And the characters, around whom this play revolves, have been brought to life by some of Chicago’s finest actor/singers. In the role of Diana, Keely Vasquez bares her emotions, leaving it all on the stage. Gifted with beauty, a natural style of acting and a sublimely powerful singing voice, that’s enabled her to appear on almost every Chicagoland stage, this is the role that Ms. Vasquez was born to play. Diana’s journey can be plainly seen all over the actress’ lovely face, as well as in her many musical numbers, like the wistful, “I Miss the Mountains.” She’s ideally matched by David Schlumpf’s exquisitely acted and gorgeously sung Dan, a man desperately trying to balance the needs of his family while coping with his wife’s mental difficulties. Mr. Schlumpf’s anguish and frustration, hope and devotion are tangible and so touching. And, never sounding greater, this may be the performance for which this Jeff Award-winning actor will be remembered, for many years to come.

Liam Oh makes his much-welcome Writers Theatre debut as Gabe, bringing power, passion and a beautifully trained voice to this very difficult role. When onstage, Mr. Oh commands the audience’s attention, but his presence is equally strong even when he’s unseen and simply being referenced by the other characters. This character is the crucible that triggers the musical’s main conflict, and Mr. Oh’s chemistry with Ms. Vasquez is both sympathetic and stirring.

Kyrie Courter, a standout in Boho Theatre’s production of “Marie Christine,” reaches a new level of excellence as Diana’s somewhat ignored daughter, Natalie. Making the most of this very challenging role, Ms. Courter proves, in her Writers Theatre debut, especially in numbers like “Superboy and the Invisible Girl,” that she’s a rising star to be watched. 

Another talented actor making his Writers debut is Alex Levy in a realistic, beautifully understated portrayal of Henry, Natalie’s stoner boyfriend. Mr. Levy has impressed Chicago audiences in classical roles, at the Metropolis Performing Arts Center. But in this role Mr. Levy excels by providing the strong, dramatic support for Ms. Courter that’s so necessary to the story. And handsome Gabriel Ruiz returns to Writers Theatre in the dual roles of Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine. He offers a calm, professional demeanor, along with a vocal expertise to roles that, in lesser hands, might’ve become stereotypes. Mr. Ruiz, however, makes both of them his own.

For audiences ready for an emotionally demanding evening of theatre, or who are simply looking for a more dramatic, grittier musical that will touch their their souls and make them think, they won’t find a finer production. David Cromer’s exquisite production, so beautifully staged and guided, helps support the argument that this jewel of a theatre, on Chicago’s North Shore, deserves its place among America’s finest regional theatres. This is a magnificent production that shouldn’t be missed. It’s hard to imagine that any other musical this season will top the multi-layered emotional excellence found in Writers Theatre’s “Next to Normal.”  

Highly Recommended

Reviewed by Colin Douglas

Presented May 8-June 16 by Writers Theatre, 325 Tudor Court, Glencoe, IL.

Tickets are available in person at the box office, by calling them at 847-242-6000 or by going to www.writerstheatre.org.

For additional information about this and other area shows can be found at www.theatreinchicago.com.