Next to Normal: Brian d’Arcy James to join cast

Tony Award nominee Brian d'Arcy James will return to the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning musical Next to Normal, directed by Michael Greif, from 17 May 2010.

d'Arcy James originated the role of 'Dan Goodman' in the Second Stage Theatre off-Broadway production of the musical. J. Robert Spencer, who originated the role on Broadway for which he was nominated for a Tony Award, will give his final performance on 16 May 2010.

d'Arcy James will be reunited with his original co-stars - Tony Award-winner Alice Ripley, Tony Award nominee Jennifer Damiano, and Adam Chanler-Berat. The cast is rounded out by Kyle Dean Massey and Louis Hobson.

Producer David Stone said: "It is so rare for a show to have a 'full circle' moment like this - and we are thrilled to welcome him home," stated the producer."

Winner of three Tony Awards including 'Best Score' 'Best Orchestrations' and 'Best Actress in a Musical' (Alice Ripley), Next to Normal, opened at the Booth Theatre on 15 Apr 2009, following previews from 27 Mar 2009, and is currently selling tickets through to 22 Aug 2010.

The musical recently received the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The Pulitzer Prize Board described the show as, "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals."

The musical opened to mixed, but mostly good reviews: "It has rhythm and angst and unexpected harmonies. What is doesn't have is a story that I can believe."
(newyorktheatreguide.com); "a work of muscular grace and power" (New York Times); "more than a triumph - it's next to wondrous" (New York Daily News); "close to good may not be enough" (New York Post); "easier to admire than love." (Bloomberg); "powerful, riveting and not to be missed" (The Record); "touches your heart and gets under your skin" (NY1).

Next to Normal is a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis, and shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact.

Next to Normal features set design by Mark Wendland, costume design by Jeff Mahshie, lighting design by Kevin Adams, and sound design by Brian Ronan.

The musical is being produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, and Second Stage Theatre.

Next to Normal opened at Off-Broadway's Second Stage Theatre on 13 Feb 2008 and was significantly reworked in a subsequent out-of-town run at Washington D.C.'s Arena Stage, where it opened on 10 Dec 2008 and played through to 18 Jan 2009.