Next to Normal - Auditions

Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times.
Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family's story with love, sympathy and heart.
Directed by Lorien Corbelletti
Music Director: Debbie Moylan
Audition accompanist: Kris Layton
Auditions are Monday November 16 and Tuesday November 17 at 6:00-8:30 pm. Please visit our "work with us" page to download an audition form. Please schedule your audition time (1/2 hour slots) by emailing Debbie at [email protected]
Proposed rehearsal times: Sundays 12 - 3; Mondays and Thursdays 6-9 pm (confirming after cast is complete)
Read through to be scheduled November 30 with a handful of rehearsals before the end of the year. Schedule begins in earnest after January 1st.
Character Descriptions:
Diana
As the matriarch of the family, Diana struggles with bipolar depressive disorder and recurring delusions tied to the death of her infant son. She is desperate to maintain the facade of a "perfect" family and a sense of normalcy, while wrestling with the volatile effects of her medications and treatments.
Age: 38 to 45
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Gabe
Diana and Dan's son, an energetic manifestation of Diana's delusions. He acts as Diana's confidante and emotional anchor, and a persistent presence tied to the family's unaddressed trauma.
Age: 18 to 25
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B2
Dan
Diana's devoted architect husband who tries tirelessly to hold his family together. Beneath his steady, optimistic exterior, he grows weary and exhausted by Diana's illness while repressing his own deep grief and fear.
Age: 38 to 45
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2
Natalie
Diana and Dan's daughter, an overachieving classical pianist and honor student. She struggles with isolation and perfectionism while feeling overshadowed by her brother and her mother's condition.
Age: 16 to 22
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3
Henry
Natalie's classmate and romantic interest. A laid-back musician and slacker who contrasts Natalie's perfectionism, with a deep capacity for romance and sympathy.
Age: 16 to 22
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G#2
Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine
Diana's psychiatrist/therapist, played by the same actor. Dr. Fine approaches her disorder through chemical management and medication, while Dr. Madden acts as a charismatic rock-star-like therapist pushing her to confront her past and explore alternative treatments like ECT.
Age: 30 to 45
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2
Please prepare 16 to 32 bars (or a 1-minute cut) in the style of the show (contemporary pop/rock, indie rock, or emotional musical theatre). You are welcome to sing a selection from the show. Bring clean, double-sided sheet music in a binder for the accompanist unless you're using a backing track. Bluetooth speaker will be available.
Sides will be posted for the auditions by mid-October. Please check back to this event or our web site: www.cityonahillarts.org