What
VOX Musical Theatre at WPI will present Next to Normal, a rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The musical is about a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and how her condition affects her family. The story also addresses suburban life, grieving, suicide, drug abuse, and ethics in modern psychiatry. Next to Normal debuted off-Broadway in 2008.
Who
VOX Musical Theatre at WPI
• Giovanna Olson '14, director
• Greg Karp-Neufeld '14, producer
• Emma Raymond '16, assistant director and choreographer
• Lena Pafumi '15, stage manager
• Andrew Strout '15, musical director
When
Jan. 16 – 18 at 7 p.m.
Where
Alden Hall, on WPI campus, 100 Institute Road, Worcester, Mass.
Other Information
This is the third, and largest student-run musical put on by VOX. Active Minds, a campus organization dedicated to raising awareness of mental health, held a discussion with the cast, during which the crew discussed mental illness, coping methods and treatments. "This gave the cast an opportunity to gather a better understanding of what the characters go through," said first-time producer Greg Karp-Neufeld.
Next to Normal is free and open to the public.
