“next to normal” An American rock musical with Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey and Music by Tom Kitt
Produced May 2 - May 4, 2024, by: Off Broadway Arts at Pine Street Church. Boulder, CO
Co-Directed and Choreographed by: Melissa Williams & Stefanie Raccuglia
Music Directed by: Zerek Dodson
THURSDAY, May 2, 2024 - Opening Night Celebration 6:30 pm - Doors Open 6:45 pm - Guest Speakers, William Monroe & Joy Redstone - Naropa Community Counseling Center 7:00 - 9:30 pm - Next to Normal Musical Production (there will be one 15 minute intermission)
FRIDAY, May 3, 2024 6:30 pm - Doors Open 7:00 - 9:30 pm - Next to Normal Musical Production (there will be one 15 minute intermission)
SATURDAY, May 4, 2024 - TWO EVENTS 11:45 am - Doors Open 12:00 noon - “Voices for Mental Health: An Afternoon with 'Next to Normal'” A concert-style event showcasing a curated selection of musical numbers from the show alongside discussions with a panel of mental health professionals. Reservations & Donations to support the Naropa Community Counseling Center CLOSING PERFORMANCE 6:30 pm - Doors Open 6:45 pm - Guest Speakers, William Monroe & Jessica Whitesel- Naropa Community Counseling Center 7:00 - 9:30 pm - Next to Normal Musical Production (there will be on 15 minute intermission) 9:30 pm - Post-Show Q&A with Actors and Creative Team
Arrive early to all events to find street parking, enjoy the Art Exhibition featuring Artist William Stoehr, the Mental Health Resource Fair & refreshments.
NCC provides exceptional counseling services that are rooted in mindfulness. They support the diversity, health and well-being of clients and the local community with compassionate presence and wisdom. NCC counselors are well trained in the integration of innovative, contemplative, creative and traditional methods of counseling.
Panelist: Leah Raulerson, LPC, NCC, ACS, BCN Samantha Field, MA, LPC, LAC Bill Monroe, LCSW, LAC Megan McDonald, MA E.d School Counseling Greg McDonald, MA E.d School Counseling Micki Burns, PHD
Show Synopsis This musical delves into the narrative of Diana, a mother grappling with worsening bipolar disorder, and the profound impact on her family of managing her condition. Exploring themes such as grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, psychiatric ethics, and the underbelly of suburban life, the production confronts modern stigmas on “mental illness” and concerns related to contemporary psychiatric medicine. In addition, the show gives a poignant portrayal of family dynamics, illustrating the weight we learn to carry for each other, intentionally or not.
Please be advised that this production deals with the following topics:
Real mental health diagnoses (depression, anxiety, bipolar, disassociation, depersonalization, etc.)
Suicidal ideation and attempts
Psychopharmacological interventions (and commonly used name-brand drugs)
The complex trauma that can come from grief and loss
Collaboration and Vision Pine Street Church is an open, affirming, inclusive, and collaborative community of people who have long valued the Arts as an essential path for deep spiritual experiences and personal growth. Recognizing that spiritual, physical, mental and emotional health are inseparable, and critical towards a thriving human experience, Off Broadway Arts supports all manner of the Arts in its endeavor to help positively impact its community
Why this space? While not a traditional theatre house, the distinctive and welcoming space of Pine Street Church serves exactly the right purpose and tone for this production. Pine Street Church:
Elicits a symbolic atmosphere of healing, introspection, and solace, resonating with the profound emotional depth of the intense narrative
Fosters intimacy and connection for an immersive storytelling experience
Leverages unique aesthetics and lighting for visually impactful scenes
Ensures accessibility for a wide and diverse audience
Cultivates community engagement and collaboration for enhanced support and dialogue around mental health issues
The Creative Team
Melissa Williams, Co-Director An active performer and teacher in Colorado, Melissa is at home in front of the footlights as an actor or working backstage as a director, stage manager, or set & prop designer. She teaches a busy private vocal studio—South Boulder Vocal Studio—and has directed numerous productions from opera to plays. Some favorite directing projects include Avenue Q, Into the Woods, Bright Star, A Christmas Carol and a filmed version of She Kills Monsters to name a few. Melissa thrives on “thinking outside box” when it comes to theatrical spaces and productions. An advocate for arts education as well as a certified intimacy director, Melissa believes in the power of the performing arts in developing people's confidence, creativity and sense of community. When not teaching or directing, you can find Melissa performing on the stages around Colorado and beyond.
Stefanie Raccuglia LPC, R-DMT, Co-Director and Director of Movement/Choreography Stefanie is a licensed psychotherapist and registered Dance/Movement therapist, and owns a private practice and consulting business in Denver, CO. Stefanie received her BA in Dance and Theatre from Manhattanville College in Purchase, NY and her MA from Naropa University in Boulder, CO in Somatic Counseling Psychology and Dance/Movement Therapy. Stefanie specializes in treating women and teens with complex trauma which emphasizes work around relationships, adverse and difficult childhood experiences, family systems, self-esteem, confidence, body-image, and creative identity.
Stefanie has choreographed and performed with various off-broadway theatre companies and dance companies in NYC before moving to Boulder. Throughout her time in Colorado she has worked as a performer and choreographer for theatre companies along the Front Range, including educational and youth theatre (Ignite Theatre, Vintage, Theatre Company of Lafayette, The Spark and Center Stage Theatre Company). Stefanie is also newly an Intimacy Choreographer. Since she was about 18 years old, her whole professional career has been centered around integrating and using the arts as a tool for healing and community building. Therefore, this show is a passion project for Stefanie in more ways than one. In addition to making her directorial debut alongside the talented Melissa Williams, Stefanie is eager about creating opportunities with this show to be of benefit and resource to the community and work with performers in a way that’s deeply engaging and supportive of their person in/and outside of the rehearsal space. Learn more about Stefanie here, Full Creative CV
Zerek Dodson, Music Director A consummate performer on piano, organ, and harpsichord, Zerek Dodson is thrilled to be serving as music director for this production of Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt’s deeply affecting "Next to Normal". Zerek completed his DMA in Collaborative Piano at the University of Colorado Boulder. In addition to his positions as organist/pianist at First United Methodist Church in Boulder and choral pianist/instrumental accompanist at the University of Denver, Zerek enjoys pursuing a busy freelance coaching and performance schedule across the Front Range, working with singers, instrumentalists, chamber groups, choirs, and orchestras. In the musical theatre world, Zerek has had the privilege of serving as assistant conductor at The Candlelight for most of their recent productions--Cats, The Little Mermaid, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Crazy for You—conducting multiple performances of the latter three shows. On the rare occasion he’s not playing keyboard instruments, you might discover him performing on oboe, EWI, viola, or vocals. Non-musical hobbies (which Zerek likes to pretend he has time for!) include hiking, reading, and attempting to learn Spencerian script.
Cast Mo Bailey, Diana Cory Lowe, Dan Victoria Scovens, Natalie Bennet Forsyth,Gabe Cody Qualls, Dr. Madden August Murphy, Henry Cameron Leonard,Ensemble & U/S Henry Hanna Slaughter,Ensemble & U/S Natalie Savannah Vedovatti,Ensemble & U/S Diana Simon Daum, Ensemble & U/S Dr. Madden Indigo Jones,U/S Gabe
Band Payton Andrews, violin, synthesizer Zerek Dodson, piano Sophia Stout, acoustic & electric guitar Phil Norman, cello, bass guitar, upright bass Christina Smith, drums & percussion
