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Jan 30, 2025

Next to Normal

Lynne Cope Hummell

Photography By

M.Kat
Pulitzer-winning Next to Normal opens Sea Glass Stage season

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For its first production of the 2025 season, Sea Glass Stage Company presents the Pulitzer Prize-winning Next to Normal, a musical that explores themes of mental health, trauma, loss, and the meaning of family. 

The show will run Fridays through Sundays February 21-March 9 at Coligny Theatre, home of the nonprofit community theatre company.

While the themes might seem unusual for a musical, director Bryce Cofield sees it as a lovely work of art.

“It is truly a rare piece of theatre – it’s beautiful, heartbreaking, and utterly human,” Cofield said. “What drew me most was how it navigates themes of mental health, grief, and love with such unflinching honesty. It doesn’t shy away from the messy, complicated parts of life, and yet it offers so much hope.”

Henry (Gavin West) and Natalie (Elly Beck) share a moment in Next to Normal.

For this production, Sea Glass Stage Company is collaborating with NAMI LOWCOUNTRY, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. At each performance, NAMI volunteers will provide an information table in the lobby. 

Next to Normal opened on Broadway in 2009, with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey. The musical won the Pulitzer in 2010, following 11 Tony nominations in 2009, winning Best Original Score, Best Actress, and Best Orchestration.

The musical tells the story of Diana Goodman (portrayed by Jessica Walck), a mother who has been diagnosed with bipolar disorder. She struggles daily, impacting her family in their “normal” suburban life. Her husband, Dan (Mark Erickson), suffers from depression and yearns to have a “perfect” family. 

The cast also includes the Goodman children, Gabe (Elijah Taylor) and Natalie (Lily Beck), who has a boyfriend, Henry (Gavin West). Diana’s two psychiatrists, Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine, are played by Dan Franke.

“I couldn’t ask for a more talented, dedicated cast. They’ve poured their hearts into these roles, and it’s been incredible to watch them bring this story to life,” Cofield said. “Each actor brings so much authenticity and vulnerability – it’s truly moving.”

While the mother is the one recently diagnosed, the entire family is affected by her mental illness. It’s a story that resonates with multitudes of families, as mental illness affects everyone from different perspectives – those suffering from it, those whose relatives suffer, and those who fear they might someday suffer from it.

Diana (Jessica Walck) reaches for her son Gabe (Elijah Taylor) as her husband Dan (Mark Erickson) and her psychiatrist (Dan Franke) consider her behavior. 

“We chose this musical because we believe stories like this must be told. The musical is more than just beautifully written – it carries an important message about mental health and we believe it will spark conversations that need to be had,” said Alex Clark, founding member of Sea Glass Stage Company. “This is an aspect of the show that the Sea Glass team really valued and we’re excited to be bringing theatre like this to our stage!” 

Clark also is stage manager for this production. Kathleen Morrisroe, chorus teacher at Hilton Head Island High School, is the music director.

Cofield has wanted to direct this show for more than a decade, he said. He even had a conversation about it with Erickson, now president of Sea Glass Stage, many years ago when they both were working on The Addams Family with Main Stage Community Theatre.

“Jump 10 years into the future, he and I reconnected … and we started talking about the possibility of me coming back to tell a story with Sea Glass Stage Company, and this was the first one that popped into my mind,” Cofield said. “He and the rest of the team at Sea Glass discussed it and agreed that this was a story worth telling. When he called me back with the offer to direct it, I knew it was something I couldn’t pass up. This show is such a powerful, raw exploration of humanity, and as someone who has always been drawn to storytelling, that resonates on a deeply emotional level. It felt like the perfect fit.” 

The cast of Next to Normal rehearses a scene on the unfinished set at Sea Glass Stage Company’s Coligny Theatre

Though some themes might seem a bit dramatic, Cofield said “there are plenty of moments with light, humor, and healing. … These themes are universal. We’ve all experienced loss, love, and the struggle to find balance in our lives. Next to Normal holds up a mirror to those experiences and shows us that we are not alone. It will make you feel – whether that’s joy, empathy, or catharsis. It’s theatre at its most honest, and I think everyone can find a piece of themselves in this story.”

For this production, Sea Glass Stage Company is collaborating with NAMI Lowcountry, the local affiliate of the National Alliance on Mental Illness. At each performance, NAMI volunteers will provide an information table in the lobby. For more information about the organization, visit namilowcountry.org.

Following Sunday matinee performances, a talk back will be held with the director and cast members, as well as a NAMI representative. 

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays. Coligny Theatre is located at 1 N. Forest Beach Drive on Hilton Head Island.

Tickets are $35 and are available at sgstage.org.  

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