Above / Metea Valley High School Theater will stage Next to Normal, a contemporary rock production as the school’s first-ever winter musical on Jan. 20, 22 and 23. One of three high schools in District 204, Metea is located at 1801 N. Eola Rd, in Aurora, Il.
Next to Normal, the emotional powerhouse that takes an unflinching look at one family’s struggle with mental illness, grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry and suburban life, will take center stage at Metea Valley High School (MVHS) with performances at 7PM Wed., Jan. 20; Fri., Jan. 22 and Sat., Jan. 23, in the MVHS Black Box.
All seating is general and tickets are $15 for premium chair (padded chairs in first three rows); $10 for regular chair (plastic chair, top rows); and $5 for student tickets (limited quantities) and can be purchased online http://mvhsnexttonormal.brownpapertickets.com/ or at the door (limited quantities) beginning at 6PM prior to the performance.
Next to Normal was performed Off-Broadway in 2008, followed by a two-year Broadway run that began in April 2009. Winning three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal captures the real emotions of a modern family.
“While many musicals provide an escape from reality with big production numbers and bright costumes, Next to Normal examines our world that can sometimes feel too big to navigate alone,” said Nathan Bramstedt, musical director, MVHS choral faculty and theater program director.
Producers advise that since Next to Normal tackles mature themes and includes mature language, this performance is not recommended for elementary school-age or young children.
Musical staged in MVHS Black Box
Another first for MVHS theater is use of the school’s black box, a 40’x40′ space (seating 80-100) in which the walls, floor and ceiling are painted black creating an intimate space for performances.
“The size and minimalist set allows the audience’s imagination to be transported by any story,” Bramstedt said. “For Next to Normal, we are creating a set that is an abstract interpretation of a cookie-cutter suburban home, with some minor alterations to capture the setting of suburbia as well as the inner turmoil of this family’s story.”
Contrary to large stage productions that feature a full orchestra, Next to Normal actors will be accompanied by a rock combo – piano/keyboard, guitar, bass, drum set and percussion – of local professionals under the music direction of Melinda Arnold.
NVHS Theater history 2015-2016
This year, all MVHS theater productions explore the theme of family with three contrasting looks at family life. The 2015-16 theater season started with the comedy of Harvey. The drama of the winter musical, Next to Normal, will be balanced by the uniqueness of The Addams Family musical in the spring (May 5, 6, and 7, 2016). Through all the stage productions, MVHS cast and audiences discover that families come in all types and styles.
“No family is perfect, but every family can be unified by support and love,” Bramstedt said. “These are important lessons for our young people to learn, and we hope to spark conversations within our families, opening dialogue between students and parents.”
For more information, visit the MVHS Theater webpage or contact Metea Valley main office at (630) 375-5900.
Metea Valley High School is located at 1801 N. Eola Rd, in Aurora, Il.
After performance ‘Talk Back’
Following the performances, the cast, creative team and a mental health professional from Linden Oaks will offer a “talk back” to further explore the themes of the show.
Submitted for immediate release by Beth Schlesinger, Parent volunteer, Theater Committee Co-chair
