51乱伦

Tantrum Theater to stage musical 鈥楴ext to Normal鈥�

Tantrum Theater will continue its third season with the Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical, 鈥淣ext to Normal,鈥� with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, running July 11 鈥� July 29 at the Abbey Theater in Dublin. The production is under the direction of Robert Barry Fleming, who returns to Tantrum after directing last year鈥檚 acclaimed 鈥淐aroline, or Change.鈥�

Father, mother, sister, brother. The Goodmans may seem like a comfortable family, but they鈥檙e just trying to make it through another day. Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and three Tony Awards, this emotional rollercoaster of a rock musical twists through suburban life in contemporary America with honesty and heart. Examining one family鈥檚 struggles with mental illness, medication, and grief, 鈥淣ext to Normal鈥� offers hope for self-acceptance even when nothing is truly normal.

Returning Director Robert Barry Fleming serves as associate artistic director for the Cleveland Play House, where he recently directed 鈥淭he Royale.鈥� Fleming formerly served as director of artistic programming at Arena Stage in Washington, D.C. and has directed, choreographed and acted in eminent theaters across the country, including the Public Theater, the Old Globe and the Goodman. Fleming is also the production鈥檚 choreographer.

Jordan Cooper serves as musical director for the production, joining Tantrum from recent productions of 鈥淭he 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee鈥� at the Cleveland Play House and 鈥淢emphis the Musical鈥� at Cain Park. The creative team from last year鈥檚 鈥淐aroline, or Change鈥� returns alongside Fleming, including Scenic Designer Jason Ardizzone-West, who recently designed NBC鈥檚 鈥淛esus Christ Superstar Live,鈥� as well as the Lana Del Rey World Tour. Returning as costume designer is Lex Liang, whose work has been seen on the stage of the Alliance Theatre, Cleveland Play House and La Jolla Playhouse among others. They are joined by Lighting Designer Michael Lincoln, head of 51乱伦鈥檚 Theater Division, whose 300-plus lighting design credits include the Broadway production and national tours of 鈥淐openhagen,鈥� the Playwrights Horizons production of 鈥淭he Bubbly Black Girl鈥︹€� and the Cleveland Play House production of 鈥淎 Streetcar Named Desire,鈥� and Sound Designer Jane Shaw, whose credits include work at the Cleveland Play House, Hartford Stage and the Cincinnati Playhouse. Production Dramaturg Trip Venturella and Assistant Director Jonathan Hetler are M.F.A. candidates in 51乱伦鈥檚 Theater Division.

Leading a six-member cast in the role of Diana Goodman, Kelsey Venter makes her Tantrum debut with previous credits at the American Conservatory Theater and the Old Globe Theater, among others. Joining her is Marc delaCruz (Dan), who made his Broadway debut in the original cast of 鈥淚f/Then,鈥� also by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt, and recently appeared in 鈥淰ietgone鈥� at Studio Theatre in Washington, D. C. In the role of Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine is Travis Kent, who appeared on Broadway in 鈥淒isaster!鈥� and whose additional credits include work at Abingdon Theater Company and HERE Arts Center.

In the role of Gabe is Riley McFarland, a recent graduate of the University of Michigan鈥檚 musical theatre department who was recently seen in the second national tour of 鈥淎 Gentleman鈥檚 Guide to Love and Murder.鈥� He is joined by recent alumni of 51乱伦鈥檚 B.F.A. performance program Bradley McKelvey-Askin (Natalie) and Tyler Tanner (Henry).

FULL PERFORMANCE SCHEDULE

鈥淣ext to Normal鈥�

July 11鈥�29

Music by Tom Kitt

Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Directed by Robert Barry Fleming

Presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI).

  • Wednesday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. 鈥� Pay-what-you-will preview
  • Thursday, July 12, 7:30 p.m.鈥� Pay-what-you-will preview, Press Night
  • Friday, July 13, 8 p.m. 鈥� Opening
  • Saturday, July 14, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 15, 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 17, 7 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 18, 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 19, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 20, 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 21, 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 21, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 22, 2 p.m.
  • Tuesday, July 24, 7:30 p.m.
  • Wednesday, July 25, 7:30 p.m.
  • Thursday, July 26, 7:30 p.m.
  • Friday, July 27, 8 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 28, 2 p.m.
  • Saturday, July 28, 8 p.m.
  • Sunday, July 29, 2 p.m. 鈥�&苍产蝉辫;Closing


SEASON DETAILS
All shows will be performed at the Abbey Theater, Dublin Recreation Center, 5600 Post Road, Dublin, OH 43017.

Tickets
Purchase tickets today at or by calling (614) 793-5700.

  • Regular tickets: $29.50
  • Senior tickets (65 and older): $27.00
  • Student tickets (with valid I.D.): $12.00


Note: There will be two pay-what-you-will preview performances for each production.

Season flex passes are available at adult and senior rates. These four-ticket passes can be used in any date combination of the patron鈥檚 choice:

  • Adult Season Flex Pass: $100.00
  • Senior Season Flex Pass: $94.00
Published
June 27, 2018
Author
Staff reports