Panic Productions Next to Normal

Panic Productions Next to Normal (2018)
Directed by Corey Lynn Howe
Music directed by Jan Roper
Cast:
Michelle Lane as Diana
Brent Ramirez as Dan
Landen Starkman as Gabe
Julia Rose Lester as Natalie
Daniel Bellusci as Henry
Renee Cohen as Dr. Fine / Dr. Madden

[@gioanderson1484]

next to normal; it's the musical that changed my life, helped me realise my true goal in making the theatre my career for the rest if my life and is my favorite musical to date. It's storytelling at it's very finest and most emotional much like itself. That being said this cast and crew clearly cared about about very single detail and nuance of this show and it is right here in the proof. I'm outstanded at the level of quality in this performance. And even the video itself! BRAVA and thank you.

[@WorkshopLane]

Thank you so much Gio! That's so lovely to hear! We really truly dove in head first and loved this show so much! So glad you do too!

[@Bailster]

I’ve been doing musical theater for 30+ years. I’ve played cello in the pit for dozens of shows, and been in 35+ musicals on stage. I say this NOT as a “flex”, but rather an attempt to establish some sort of credibility for what I’m about to share... N2N is quite possibly one of the most difficult shows to execute. An EXTREMELY minimal cast that has to navigate VERY heavy and raw subject material all the while delivering relatable sprinkles of humor & polishing it all of with palpable familial chemistry and musicality. I’ve seen the Broadway production many times and have seen it locally as well as many other productions.... This is by FAR one of the most talented, relatable & gorgeous productions I’ve seen. There are even some subtle casting choices that freshly enhance the story. I know my voice will get lost in the shuffle. But I can’t go without heavily congratulating the cast and crew for this production! Everyone has truly melted into their character! Not to mention, the vocals and direction are truly gorgeous & special. This is a BEAST to pull off. And one that most community theaters shouldn’t EVER try to do unless they can respectfully fully invest in every molecule of the story, character development and musicality. This production was entirely different than I’ve ever seen - yet is quite possibly one of THE BEST. FANTASTIC work, team! Don’t let this one go. You should all absorb and relish in this. You all have a gorgeous performance! Captivating, musically beautiful and beyond believable. And most of all - tell a very vulnerable and emotional story! I’m sobbing and can’t wait to rewatch! Fantastic job!!!!! 💙

[@michellelane4062]

@@Bailster thank you so much! What a review! And means so much from someone in the community! It’s been a long time since I did this show and it still remains one of my absolute favorite productions I’ve ever done. 🥰

[@penelopesmulti]

When I was watching this I thought I noticed the girl who plays Natalie and said “she looks so familiar” and then I realized it was Julia Lester from high School Musical the musical the series. I also loved this protection! It’s so good.

[@michellelane4062]

Thanks so much! And yes, that's the amazing Julia Lester 🥰

[@halfbloodprincess687]

Me sobbing during "I am the one": excellent, good, as scheduled

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you Perci!

[@gioanderson1484]

AND THE COSTUMES!!!!!!!!! I SEE YOU AND I HEAR YOU AND LOVE YOUR OWN SPECIAL NUANCE

[@michellelane4062]

Our closets at their finest ;)

[@madamemaximoff9838]

When you screamed for Natalie at 1:40:53 , I felt that. You guys did amazing and I love that Dr. Madden was a female. This production is on my list of top 3 best n2n company preformances ☺.

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much @madamemaximoff! SO kind of you!!

[@imdyingfromhype6037]

I just want to say how AMAZING this production is! As much as I love the Broadway cast, something just feels right about community productions of N2N, and yours is my favorite to date! This cast is phenomenal. The vocals, the acting, the costumes are all so amazing. Dr. Fine/Madden being a woman is something I never even knew I needed until now. I even love the way this production was blocked/choregraphed. I cannot get over how stellar this production is, huge thanks for sharing this.

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much! We really appreciate your comments and I'll make sure to pass it on to the rest of the cast. 🥰

[@codingwithrich]

What a fantastic cast! I wish the capture microphone was a little stronger to capture the powerful vocals. Even so, a pleasure to watch. Thank you for sharing!

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much! 🥰

[@soaring-comet]

this was absolutely phenomenal i know i commented on the i am the one reprise video already but i just had to watch the whole production when i found it was on here as well everyone brought so much character to their roles, and the singing was absolutely amazing i loved even the minor changes in body language to signify the different emotions that the characters were feeling i don’t know if they were intentional or not but either way the feelings all felt real again, you were all amazing

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much James!

[@razberrymist9475]

Everyone's vocal performances were amazing. Especially Gabe. Aftershocks was freaking beautiful.

[@michellelane4062]

@@razberrymist9475 thank you! Landon Starkman is pretty incredible-follow him on Instagram. His vocals are just dreamy!

[@romezele]

GOD i love when productions cast a female Doctor Fine/Madden. This production is amazing ^^! Edit: just finished, currently crying :.) this show was spectacular beginning to end.

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you! :)

[@cjames0723]

I had a bisexual crisis watching this. They're all so beautiful and talented....

[@michellelane4062]

😂 so curious who! 😆

[@doubleu2977]

10 months later and I FEEL this

[@heneedsloveoooh]

BISEXUAL DIANA CONFIRMED?!?!?!

[@michellelane4062]

@@heneedsloveoooh hahahaha I wish! 😆 I am gay so this was a great choice for me, though! ☺️

[@alexkrycek3359]

I started crying by the end of Just Another Day. I love this show but I can't bear to watch it. I can tell this is going to be world class so hopefully I can watch it when I'm in a better place

[@michellelane4062]

Well. It is quite the rollercoaster ride. I used to say I'd throw my hands up, ride it out and then hop off at the end. Hopefully you're able to watch it through. It's one of my fondest memories on stage ❤️

[@dustbunee2007]

How much research did you have to do to prepare for this part? (I mean, researching bipolar disorder and depression.) And BTW, the young man playing Gabe is kind of cute. (I know I'm a married woman, but I still think so.)

[@michellelane4062]

Hey Rachel! As with any role, there is always a fair amount of research that goes into building a character. This was the 2nd time I played Diana, so I'd say this round I dipped a little deeper into the psychological disorder. There is also a balance with Diana and this show that is not playing AT the disorder, but struggling with it so Diana remains relatable to the audience. But yes, especially for me not having dealt with schizophrenia or bipolar disorder, I had to research it a lot the first time I played her to really understand what the struggles were, what it felt like inside, etc. ☺️🙏

[@doubleu2977]

@@michellelane4062 gorgeous answer, gorgeous talent. Thank you infinitely

[@michellelane4062]

@@doubleu2977 Thank you so much! 😊

[@kingofskulls6384]

This was amazing. You are so talented and related to this so much!

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much!!

[@belphegor_dev]

Awesome production! Thanks for sharing. :)

[@michellelane4062]

Thanks for watching and giving a shout out! 🥰

[@lyllymoreland2800]

I like Gabe's voice and Natalie's voice is very pretty. This is really good.

[@doubleu2977]

So I just found this full version and I should have been asleep for like 5 hours by now, but alas... I’m fine accepting no sleep when there are two hours of clearly worthy content in view. Incredible. 😭😭👑🙏🙏🙏❤️

[@michellelane4062]

Thank you so much! I'm glad you enjoyed it! 🥰

[@heneedsloveoooh]

id die to be in a production of n2n

[@walterreiter8780]

Excellent show!!!!¡

[@michellelane4062]

@@walterreiter8780 thank you so much!

[@heneedsloveoooh]

also. first tike ive ever come close to tears watching a musical. like. not even the broadway n2n soundtrack got a tear out of me

[@bree_elizabeth2064]

I know I'm late, and I hate that it's taken me this long to find the show. But, oh my god! I bawled like a goddamn baby, the entire time! I am so in love with this show.

[@michellelane4062]

🥹🥰🙏

[@cameronnorris220]

Light gave me goosebumps

[@elchatodeoro1]

excuse me guys, how much did you paid for the license

[@michellelane4062]

Just contact MTI: www.mtishows.com/next-to-normal

[@markallen8766]

Meet Gabe LandenStarkman

[@alexkrycek3359]

I finally got around to watching the whole of this. First the positives: it was absolutely fantastic. Brilliantly cast, with excellent vocalists and heart wrenching acting. I felt the same pangs, the same laughs and the same heartbreak as when I saw the original Broadway cast. But there were lots of really nice directional flourishes too, so it certainly wasn't a replica. It stood alone as an excellent production and one I wish I had seen live. Now my one gripe... The actor playing Dr Fine/Madden was good in her part and this is no reflection on her talent or performance in this show. But I do wish they had cast a male as Dr Fine/Madden. I am all for colour/genderblind casting, as long as it doesn't compromise the text. But, in this case, it sadly does. For example, "and though (s)he'll never hold me (s)he always takes my calls" seems nonsensical for the character. As is the entire "rockstar" moment that Diana has with Dr Madden. Some of the really clever subtext of the original production, like her escapist fantasy projecting the doctor as the sexy "other", is entirely lost with the casting choice. Vocally, with the part being transposed, it sounds a bit awkward too, even though the actor does a solid job. Overall, I really enjoyed watching what is a masterpiece of a show in a fabulous production with outstanding cast.

[@Orange-tf3bf]

Completely disagree. The effect is the same or better.

[@jack1theatregeek]

It can be performed both ways? It’s a choice that worked… and completely legal

[@alexkrycek3359]

@@jack1theatregeek funny you should say that, because in the MTI package I received when I applied to direct this show, it specifies against gender bending casting.

[@jack1theatregeek]

@@alexkrycek3359 they asked permission.

[@alexkrycek3359]

@@jack1theatregeek which is fine, but in my otherwise rave review I didn’t think this aspect worked at all, and it’s “completely legal” to say so. Not everything has to be an echo chamber.