Review: VCDS and TCDS’ Next to Normal

Who is normal?

Many musicals deal with themes of mental illness, but none do it as tastefully as Next to Normal. The VCDS (Victoria College Drama Society) and TCDS (Trinity College Drama Society) production of Next to Normal, masterfully directed by Paul Meyer, brought this show to life in a way that was enjoyable to watch yet still sensitive to the heavy themes. I was blown away by how well a show from 2009 has aged, and how well this production’s attention to detail enhanced the themes of the show. Everything about this production left me speechless and contemplating who exactly lives a “normal” life.

Without giving too much away, Next to Normal finds the Goodman family on the brink of a breaking point, as they all live in the wake of Diana Goodman’s grief-driven spiral. This show handles dark and sensitive subject matter through its examination of a family coping with mental illness. It questions how a group of people can still care for their members battling chronic mental illness while still maintaining their own sense of being. 

The strength of the show’s message is intensified by the attention to detail throughout this particular production. One of these details I thought was quite clever was this production’s use of space. The set, designed by Aria Kowal, uses the entire stage to embody the Goodman family home. Every inch of the stage – from the balcony to the main space – is incorporated and unwavering. The home is in the background of every scene, both physically and metaphorically. It acts as a constant reminder to audiences that everything that has and will happen affects the wellbeing of the entire family and those around them, and that the motivation behind many of the actions is to improve the lives of the people they love.

Another intriguing detail was Diana’s costume, designed by Gabriel Woo. Diana’s costume reflects her mental state throughout the show. She starts in an outfit dominated by the colour purple. She then begins to shed any trace of the colour at the beginning of the second act. She then slowly regains it until she is solely wearing purple again at the end of the show. From spiral to loss to acceptance to healing, Diana’s costumes add to the overall themes of the show, notably  that of identity. These kinds of intentional choices make this production especially spectacular. 

The highly emotional performances were in and of themselves something that I am honoured to have witnessed. The cast was intimate but mighty, and not a single member fell short. The dynamic between the Goodman family was depicted by the actors in a way that felt true to life, raw, and devastating. One of my favourite moments in the show was the duet in ‘I Am the One (Reprise)’ between Gabe (played by Nomi Parsai) and Dan (played by Nick Cikoja). The portrayal of this song left me in tears, which is a testament to the talent and dedication of the actors. Gabby Noga’s choreography in this number also adds to the emotional quality in the way that the two characters connect, and makes the number more powerful and heartbreaking. It is impossible for me to pinpoint a singular moment that touched me the most because truthfully, the entire duration of this performance is one to be remembered. 

In short, this production of Next to Normal was nothing shy of extraordinary. This is not a show to be taken lightly,  yet director Paul Meyer truly handled it with care and consideration. After watching this show, audiences are reminded that mental illness is just as serious as a physical illness and the conversation on this subject that the show inspires is one that is difficult yet necessary.