Sapphire Theater Company
Proudly Presents Next to Normal

 

A powerhouse rock musical written by Brian Yorkley and Tom Kitt, prepare to climb aboard this emotional roller coaster running Sept. 18 through Oct. 4.

 

Escondido, CA – (Sept. 1, 2015)  Sapphire Theater Company is proud to present Next to Normal, a Tony and Pulitzer Prize winning musical, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkley and music by Tom Kitt. The public is invited to attend this emotional powerhouse with an energetic pop/rock score starring Julie Rogelstad as Diana and Gerry Schooler as Dan.   The 3-week run will begin Friday, September 18 and play through Sunday, October 4, with Thursday, Friday and Saturday evening performances at 7:30 p.m. and afternoon performances on Saturday and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. 

 

Synopsis:

 

Dan is an architect, Diana rushes to pack lunches, and their son and daughter are bright, wise-cracking teens.  On the surface, they appear to be a typical American family… and yet their lives are anything but normal: Diana has been battling depression for 16 years. The play takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting this family’s story with love, sympathy, and heart. This deeply moving piece also raises questions about modern psychiatric treatment and suburban life.

 

The show features Actors' Equity members Julie Rogelstad and Gerry Schooler leading a dynamic cast. Julie Rogelstad, playing Diana, is a graduate of New York’s American Musical and Dramatic Academy and the 2014 San Diego Country Female Vocalist of the year. Most recently, she appeared in a one-woman show entitled “Unbroken and Home” performed at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts, and she was seen in the last season of “The Sopranos” as Silvio’s Goomah.  The role of Dan is played by Gerry Schooler, whose regional credits include Harold in “The Music Man,” Curly in “Oklahoma,” Caleb in “Seven Brides for Seven Brothers,” and Don in “A Chorus Line” at The Sahara in Las Vegas. Rounding out the cast are: Kyler Waitley (Gabe); Yael Chanukov (Natalie); Danica Waitley (U/S and matinee Natalie); Dakota Ringer (Henry); Erik Ramirez (Dr. Madden); Mathew Starkey (Dr. Fine); and Shane Allen (Gabe).

 

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theater International (MTI).  All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th St., N.Y., NY 10019.

 

Tickets: 

 

All shows will be presented in the Studio One Theater of the California Center for the Arts, Escondido, located at 340 N. Escondido Blvd., in Escondido. Tickets for this production will be available for the cost of $22 for adults, $16 for seniors/military, and $30 for VIP Early Admission.  Tickets can be purchased at www.ticketleap.com.  Directed by Jennifer Hovey.  Associate Director is Eduard Cao.

 

About the Company:

 

Sapphire Theater Company was created to bridge the gap between art and community, offering unique opportunities for open dialogue aimed at instilling awareness of social issues through the avenue of local professional-quality theatrical productions. The company is an independent, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that is not affiliated with any external body. To find out more about Sapphire Theater Company, please visit www.sapphiretheatercompany.com or find our page on Facebook.

 

For Information:

 

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