St. Louis Review: Deaf Austin Theatre ‘Next to Normal’ at Ground Floor Theatre
Erin Karll, Contributing Critic - St. Louis
Deaf Austin Theatre and Ground Floor Theatre are mounting a production of ‘Next To Normal’ at Ground Floor Theatre in Austin Texas. The black box theatre is a perfect space for such an intimate analysis of a family in crisis. The story follows Dan, Natalie, and Gabe of the Goodman family as the mother Diana has another break from reality. Her family and doctors struggle to find the balance between medications, therapies, and rest. The show touches on topics of drug abuse, suicide, mental health stigmas, and more. It is a true modern look into a family as they survive one trauma and endure another.
The talented cast work like a fine-tuned machine presenting the story in two languages (American Sign Language and English) at the same time. Megg Rose splits the character ‘Diana’ with Kerry McGinnis, Rose signing in American Sign Language and McGinnis voicing in English. The passion and vulnerability Rose and McGinnis show bring the struggles ‘Diana’ faces to life with such truth and power. Sandra Mae Frank, signing, and Maryanna Tollemache, voicing, work as a perfect team to split ‘Natalie’. Frank gives ‘Natalie’ the energy and frustration that keeps the audience connected and rooting for her. Tollemache's stunning voice completes the package and she is a joy to watch. Jim Lindsay voices and Seth Andrus Washington signs the character ‘Dan’. The emotional growth and range of ‘Dan’ is a challenge that these two face and conquer. Daniel Ponce voices and Tarique Sylvester signs ‘Henry’. Pince and Sylvester take the audience on the arc of Henry from young and dumb to bold and self-assured. Kirk Kelso and Jo Rose Benfield play ‘Dr Madden’, both are true rockstars and steal the spotlight during their scenes with the family. Riley Wesson voices and signs at the same time, known as sim-com, the character of ‘Gabe’. That skill itself deserves applause, but to do so with the charm and wit that Wesson showed was a true pleasure to witness.
The set, by Zac Crofford, was simple and worked wonderfully. Many platforms meant the scenes could transition smoothly and the ASL could be made visible to the back row. The costumes, by Patti Neff-Tiven were a great fit and helped keep the split characters together...Also I need a pair of Dr. Madden’s sparkle boots. The sign choices, made by the Deaf members of the cast and Brian Cheslik, were stunning and added a deeper level to the story. Standout scenes for my bilingual brain are ‘I’m Alive’, ‘SuperBoy and the Invisible Girl’, and ‘You Don’t Know’ into ‘I Am The One’. Under the direction of Lisa Scheps and Brian Cheslik this production is a can not miss theatrical moment.
If you enjoy family dramas, rock music, and entertaining storytelling this is the show for you. This production is high energy and emotionally charged from the opening moment. There are many serious topics, but they are dealt with sensitivity and love from both the writers Tom Kitt (Music) and Brian Yorkey (Book and Lyrics) to the spectacular cast.
‘Next To Normal’ runs at Ground Floor Theatre in Austin Tx from December 5th through December 21st. Visit groundfloortheatre.comfor ticket and show information. Follow Deaf Austin Theatre @deafaustintheatre on Facebook and Instagram. Visit their website at deafaustintheatre.org for more information.