February 2013
Performances:
February 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22, 23
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey
Music by Tom Kitt
Directed by Craig Pettinati
Music Direction by Stuart Weich
Produced by Malca Giblin
Synopsis
A rock musical concerning a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.
Cast
 | Ryan Burke (Dan) is thrilled to be back at KAT for this spectacular production of Next to Normal! He was recently seen in Guys and Dolls at American University as Sky Masterson (Irene Ryan nomination). Other credits include Sunday in the Park with George as Georges/George, The Last 5 Years as Jamie (2011 DC's Top Ten Young Performers by DC Theatre Scene), and The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee as Barfee (2010 Musical Scene Stealer by DC Theatre Scene). He wishes to thank the amazing cast and crew, and his friends and family for their support! |
 | Sayne-Khayri Lewis (Dr. Fine / Dr. Madden) is excited in making his KAT debut. You will usually find Sayne on the other side of the proscenium as Co / Assistant Director at Northwest High School. Directing credits include: Ragtime, Hairspray, Cinderstein, Footloose, and The Giver to name a few. Sayne is also a proud employee of ArtStream, Inc. and The WYPA. Thanks to the wonderful production team for this wonderful opportunity. This performance is for Justin. |
 | Leah Platt (Natalie) is a senior at Bethesda-Chevy Chase High School and is excited to be in her first KAT production, in one of her favorite shows! Past performances at her high school and ATMTC include Bye Bye Birdie (Rosie), The Wizard of Oz (Dorothy), Romeo and Juliet (Juliet), You Can't Take It With You (Alice), and Children of Eden (Aphra). She was also a proud member of ATMTC's ensembles for five years, and is now a member of Teen Angel Project. Leah spent this summer as a Theater Cherub at Northwestern University, and is looking forward to directing Edges at BCCHS in March. Many thanks for the support from family and friends! |
 | Harrison Smith (Henry) is excited to be making his KAT main stage debut in Next to Normal after appearing in KAT 2nd Stage's Fall production of The Wizard of Oz. Favorite roles include Nicky (Avenue Q), Chip Tolentino (The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee), Charlie (The Foreigner), and Cogsworth (Beauty and The Beast). Love and thanks to his family, friends, the cast, and crew. |
 | Alex Xourias (Gabe) is psyched to be making his debut with KAT. He is a current sophomore at UMD, tentatively studying Sociology/Communications (as if that won't change in a month). Thanks to everyone who worked on the show to make it an unforgettable experience. Thanks to my friends and previous director, Christopher Gerken, for believing in me even when I didn't believe in myself. Previous college credits include The Last 5 Years (Jamie) and Mr. Marmalade (Larry) through the Weekday Players at UMD, as well as RENT (Mark) through Theatre Unlimited DC. |
 | Emily Zickler (Diana Goodman) KAT Debut! Graduate of Boston Univ. College of Fine Arts Huntington Theater: Assassins (Emma Goldman/Ensemble), Merrily We Roll Along (Scotty/Ensemble); BCA Wimberly: Imaginary Invalid (Beralde); LAMDA (London, UK): Hamlet (Hamlet), The Man of Mode (Belinda). Thank you to Mom, Dad, Deborah, and Mark for their love and support; Paula Langton and Christine Hamel for freeing my natural voice; Betsy Polatin for keeping me grounded; David Gram for reviving my love of musicals; Jim Petosa for nurturing young artists; and everyone at KAT for entrusting me with this role. It is an honor to share this story with you today. |
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