Set in a seemingly ordinary suburban home, Next to Normal follows the Goodman family as they struggle to hold themselves together while confronting grief, loss, and the complexities of mental illness. Diana Goodman is a wife and mother whose ongoing battle with bipolar disorder affects every member of her family. Her husband, Dan, desperately tries to support her and preserve their family, while their teenage daughter, Natalie, struggles with feeling overlooked as she searches for a life and identity of her own. As Diana undergoes treatment and begins confronting painful memories from her past, the family must face truths they have spent years trying to avoid.

Featuring a powerful contemporary rock score, Next to Normal is an emotional and deeply moving exploration of family, love, grief, memory, and the difficult choices people make as they try to heal. With six demanding and complex roles, the musical balances moments of humor and tenderness with intense emotional drama. At its heart, Next to Normal asks what it means to be “normal” and reminds audiences that sometimes moving forward does not mean everything is fixed—it means learning how to live, love, and find hope even when life remains imperfect.

Music: Tom Kitt

Book & Lyrics: Brian Yorkey

Notable Recognition: Winner of three Tony Awards, including Best Original Score, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Next to Normal

March 5-21, 2027

Venue: Mesa Arts Center 1 E Main St, Mesa, AZ 85201

Understudy Shows:

Sunday, November 9th at 2:30

Saturday, November 15th at 2:30

Saturday, November 22nd at 7:30 PM

Cast


  • Addie Jensen: Nun, Sister Mary Patrick (u/s)

  • Cam Blackwell: Eddie (Red Cast)

  • Camryn Simone: Deloris Van Cartier (Red Cast), Michelle (Blue Cast)

  • Charlotte Strayhorne: Sister Mary Theresa

  • Cornell Reed: Ensemble, TJ (Swing)

  • Courtnei Carey: Deloris Van Cartier (Blue Cast), Michelle (Red Cast)

  • David Heap: Monsignor O'Hara

  • Dawn Gunderson: Mother Superior (Blue Cast)

  • Devin Baheshone: Eddie (Blue Cast)

  • Devyn Firestine: Sister Mary Robert (Red Cast)

  • Elizabeth Eastin: Nun, Ensemble

  • Hannah Bickerstaff: Nun, Ensemble

  • Hannah Hutchison: Nun, Ensemble

  • Jamie Graves: Sister Mary Patrick, Nun (u/s)

  • Jesus Diaz: Pablo

  • Jordan Applegate: Sister Mary Lazarus

  • Justin Fallon: Monsignor O'Hara (u/s), Ernie (Swing)

  • Lauren South: Nun, Ensemble, Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours (swing)

  • Lee DeFord: Pope Paul VI, Newscaster

  • Makenzie Winans: Nun, Sister Mary Lazarus (Swing)

  • Marlene Gerstman: Sister Mary Martin-of-Tours

  • Melody Startzell: Nun

  • Mike Zollars: Joey

  • Neaja Thomas: Tina, Nun

  • Randi Jill Condit: Mother Superior (Red Cast)

  • Semaj Morgan: Ensemble, Joey (u/s)

  • Stephen Andrews: Ernie

  • Sydnie Navaho: Sister Mary Robert (Blue Cast)

  • Tyler Fleck: Curtis

  • Zane Dupuis: TJ

Crew


  • Brianna Fallon: Director & Artistic Director

  • Cheryl Briley: Technical Director

  • Lorelee Godden: Production Manager

  • Jacob Anderson: Stage Manager

  • Kayla Rydalch: Assistant Stage Manager

  • Ashley Bauer-Webb: Choreographer

  • Michael Samuel: Music Director

  • Zach Krenytzky:mScenic Design

  • Lauren Buzbee: Scenic Painter

  • Colin Patrick: Costume Design

  • Lewis Eckman: Properties Design

  • Brianna Fallon: Sound Design

  • Rob Littlefield: Lighting Design

  • Devon Christopher Adams: Photographer