Theatre Review

‘Next To Normal’ is next to perfect at Wilbury

Don Fowler
Posted 5/28/15

Josh Short’s Wilbury Theatre has made it to the big time with their stunning production of Tom Kitt’s Tony Award-winning rock musical “Next To Normal” at their Providence theatre.

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Theatre Review

‘Next To Normal’ is next to perfect at Wilbury

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Josh Short’s Wilbury Theatre has made it to the big time with their stunning production of Tom Kitt’s Tony Award-winning rock musical “Next To Normal” at their Providence theatre.

“Next To Normal” is a tough tale to tell. A mother is still in denial 16 years after the death of her infant son. Her bipolar behavior weighs heavily on her husband and teenage daughter.

A difficult subject for a musical, but under the watchful, caring direction of Wendy Overly and the excellent work of the six-member cast, “Next to Normal” is a next-to-perfect production that pulls at the audience’s heartstring and makes them care for the characters.

Overly has proven her talents over the years, both as an actor and a director. She truly comes into her own with her perspective of this powerful production.

Moira Costigan-Carraher sets the bar high as Diana, the troubled mother who talks to Gabe, her dead son (Andrew Iacovelli), who in her eyes is now a teenager.

Her patient, caring husband (James Fernandes) sticks by her, asking the question, “Who’s crazy?” in one of the many songs that permeate the story, making it more like a rock opera.

The music is great, although occasionally we missed some of the lyrics, beginning with the opening “Another Day” and including “Holding On” and “Catch Me I’m Falling.” Unlike many musicals, the music is an integral part of the story, not just an add-on.

As Dan’s attention is spent on his wife, who is obsessed with her dead son, their daughter Natalie (Julia Bartoletti) is lost in the shuffle. She becomes insecure and neglected, turning to drugs for solace and rejecting the young man (Jesse Dufault) who vows to “Make Myself Perfect For You.”

Diana is in the care of a psychiatrist (Jeff Church), who provides some comic relief; even the humor is on the dark side. Act one closes with him providing shock therapy that causes her to lose her memory and changes direction for what follows in Act Two.

The story could have easily been turned into a downer of a soap opera, but crisp writing, powerful songs and great ensemble acting make it work at involving the audience to really care about the characters.

The cast is strong. The direction is tight. The voices are good. The set is simple but functional. The small band does not overpower, thanks to the keyboard work of Juan Rodriguez.

Costigan-Carraher shines as the central character. Watch her sad eyes and her body language and listen to the pain in her voice as she mesmerizes you with her conflicting personalities.

A powerful opening and an even more powerful closing, with a middle that will grab you and never let go, Wilbury’s “Next to Normal” is by far the best work of this maturing theatre group.

“Next to Normal” is at the Wilbury group’s home, performed on the proscenium stage at 393 Broad St. in Providence through June 13.

Call 400-7100 or go online at www.thewilburygroup.

org for tickets. This is one not to be missed.

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