Review by M.T. Bennett, Front Row Reviewers
The incomparable talent of Hart Theater Company is on display in Salt Lake’s Regent Street Black Box at Eccles Theater where they are presenting Next to Normal. Next to Normal is a rock musical that debuted in 2008 and then on Broadway in 2009 and nominated for 11 Tony Awards. The story by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt is full of heavy themes that revolve around mental illness, death, loss, psychiatry, reality, drugs, and family relationships. All of these themes are depicted in the story of a small suburban family who are struggling to hold things together
At the center of the story is the mother, Diana Goodman (played by Natalia Noble), who struggles with bipolar disorder and other mental health issues. Her fight against inner demons, delusions, and depression are wonderfully portrayed by Noble. Her depiction is both unsettling and heartbreaking, yet Noble’s talents for comedic timing and her clear voice shine through as well. Noble makes some very subtle choices in her diction and facial expressions that convince the audience that Diana is overmedicated, numb, and struggling.
The ever faithful husband, Dan, is played by Ben Henderson. Dan struggles with his wife’s delusions and yet displays integrity in always being the one to be there for her and trying to help. Henderson epitomizes the harried middle-aged dad. You can see how the weight of his family’s problems weigh on his mind and body while he tries to be strong and supportive.
There is a big twist in the play that I don’t want to spoil, however in Dan’s final song he has a breakthrough with his grief and Henderson is magnificent and real in that moment. After the song, my wife turned to me and said, “I’ve never been to a play where the audience is audibly crying,” and she was right. I heard sniffles and sobs all around me.
The oldest child, Gabe, is played by Joseph Paul Branca who is incredible. His voice is clear and beautiful, hitting every note with perfect emotion. Branca deftly navigates his role as he moves between being a playful son, to sinister, to manipulative, to a hopeful light. Hart Theater Company always finds some of the best talent Utah has and Branca shows us that he is worthy to stand among the best.
Rounding out this dysfunctional family is the youngest child, Natalie, played by the immensely talented Sam Torres. Torres was in Hart Theater Company’s recent production of “Hope for the Flowers” so I went into Next to Normal with big expectations, and she did not disappoint. Natalie struggles to be the perfect daughter and get attention that Gabe steals. She wants to escape her family life and yet grapples with the mental illness predilections she inherited from her mother. Torres shares this struggle with us as Natalie falls into drugs and rebellion and fights to find her place and identity. It is interesting that at the beginning she appears to be an accomplished young lady, yet as she descends you see that all along it was a mask for anxiety and problems within.
Natalie’s boyfriend, Henry is delightfully played by Jacob Ericksen. In comedic storytelling, there is the method of using the “straight man” or “comedic foil”, essentially a normal person who has been placed in an abnormal setting to accentuate the absurdity of the comedic characters around him. Think Jim in the first few seasons of The Office. While Next to Normal does elicit a fair share of laughs it is not comedy, but Henry is the “straight man” to this tragedy. His “normal person” presence highlights the dysfunction of the family. Yet he isn’t immune as he is pulled into the drama at times as well. Ericksen made sure this dichotomy is displayed in a way that is sincere, funny, and endearing.
The last member of the cast is Cameron Sol, who, very entertainingly, plays Diana’s many doctors in the story. From a very dismissive and stereotypically “medication management” psychopharmacologist, to an ER doc, to therapist Dr. Madden. I found myself convinced that Sol must have spent time shadowing physicians because he so convincingly portrays every stereotype and facet of a doctor. From those who are dismissive, to those who are sincere, to those who struggle to maintain the authoritative air of a doctor while struggling to admit that they don’t have all the answers. I’ve never had a doctor sing a rock-style riff at me while bathed in red lights so that must have been from his own experience.
As the show comes together you can see how much vision and work was done by Director Chase Ramsey. We are lucky Ramsey shares his spectacular talent with us. I first saw him in Hope for the Flowers along with Torres and was amazed by his performance. When I heard he was directing, I knew this is a production I have to see.
In addition to his role as director, Ramsey is also the scenic designer. A six-person band, six actors, and a two-story set had to fit on the black box stage and it was done perfectly. The stage foreground is dominated with sharp straight lines ringed with LED lights. When characters stand in lighted rectangles it almost looks like a portrait. It also made me think of a comic book page, which is a really cool effect. Subtly, the background is painted with a frenetic busy chaos. Random lines and shapes in crazed energy. Altogether it perfectly serves as a symbol of the stable facade of the dysfunctional family which is not quite hiding the madness underneath.
Another masterstroke was costume design by Emily Wells. Wells is an important voice and influence for theater in Salt Lake. She is one of the founders of Hart Theater Company and the Producer for Next to Normal. Her leadership, vision, and talents are a boon. In this production, the costumes she made are very well done. The thing that I most noticed were how they are used to show mirroring and influence between different characters. In one important scene, Diana and Gabe are wearing almost the same outfit. Even their hair looks similar. Their looks are so similar that in an energetic scene later in the play, I mistook one of them for the other, which was obviously by design and very symbolic. As Natalie is influenced by Henry, she starts to wear his clothes more. Dan is the most put together in appearance compared to everyone else and that is a great imagery for how hard he is working to maintain normalcy and order in a chaotic life. The outfits quietly accentuate so much symbolism happening in the play.
Lighting was done by Michael Gray, and, just like this was the first play where the audience was audibly crying, this was another first for me in that I’d never seen a play that starts with the spotlight put on the audience. My wife pointed out that this immediately put the audience into the story. The use of colors in the LED lights around the “comic panels” is also very well done and heightened emotion and the story.
Adding to the incredible singing from the cast is the live band directed by Nicholas Maughan. The band contains a piano (Nicholas Maughan), violin (Christine Warren), cello (Risa Bean), bass guitar (Dan Pack), guitar (Emily Hackworth), and percussion (Justin Lord). Live music as opposed to pre-recorded tracks is a strong choice to make on a stage as small as the Black Box, but it pays off and makes the sound more authentic. Sound Designer Grace Heinz balanced it all well. I also noticed other stylistic choices like a strange creaking and tapping that kept repeating before the show and during intermission, which is unsettling and ominous.
I’ve been very lucky to have seen several performances by Hart Theater Company and every single one so far has been a poignant thought-provoking commentary on life. A kind of emotional punch to the gut that leaves you in deep reflection. After the play, I was thinking to myself, “You know, if someone punched me in the gut, I would probably avoid them. Yet somehow I keep coming back to Hart Theater Company because this emotional catharsis is always worth it and so well crafted.”
Hart Theater Company doesn’t just exemplify the best talent in the state, but they celebrate it as well. They work hard to enrich the theater community in the area with their Hart Awards, kind of like the Tonys or Oscars for local Utah theater. This year’s awards are being held on March 16th at 7:30 PM at the West Valley Performing Arts Center and is free to attend with a reservation.
Make your way to downtown Salt Lake to see Next to Normal. It is a production that is anything but normal or average. You may laugh, you will certainly cry, and you will not look at life the same way again.
Hart Theater Company presents Next to Normal, story by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt.
Regent Street Black Box at Eccles Theater, 144 Regent St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
March 6th – 23rd, 2025, dates and times vary
Tickets: Adult $30, Student and Senior $25
Contact: harttheaterco@gmail.com
Recommended for ages 18+ due to language and content
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