Bloomington, Indiana – This September, Constellation Stage & Screen will open its milestone 25/26 season with a powerful and emotionally charged production of Next to Normal, a rock musical that has captivated audiences across the nation with its bold storytelling and unforgettable music. The show will run from September 4 through 21 at the Waldron Auditorium in downtown Bloomington.
Back by popular demand, Next to Normal returns to the Bloomington stage after more than a decade, having first been produced during the 2012/13 season by Cardinal Stage. The revival will be helmed by director Kate Galvin, a longtime creative force behind Constellation productions, known for her direction of Matilda the Musical, The Wizard of Oz, and Fun Home!.
Hailed by The New York Times as “a brave, breathtaking musical,” Next to Normal explores the inner life of Diana Goodman, a suburban mother grappling with bipolar disorder. The show offers a deeply human portrait of mental illness, grief, and hope, all told through the lens of a family trying to keep moving forward in the face of emotional turmoil. “Experience the electrifying Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning rock musical that delves into the heart of a family shattered by mental illness but held together by love,” reads the production’s official description.
With a soaring score composed by Tom Kitt and emotionally potent lyrics and book by Brian Yorkey, the musical balances difficult themes with rock-infused energy and heartfelt storytelling. The result is a show that has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike since its Broadway debut in 2009.
Constellation’s production will feature a dynamic cast led by Alex Keiper, returning after a standout performance in The Break: A New Rock Musical, in the role of Diana Goodman. Playing opposite her as her steadfast husband Dan is Ben Michael, a seasoned performer with credits including Broadway’s Paradise Square and the national tour of An American in Paris.
The next generation of musical theater talent also takes the stage, with Indiana University Musical Theater student Claire Summers as Natalie, the couple’s overachieving daughter, and Gabriel J. Hill from Baldwin Wallace University portraying her charismatic but mysterious brother Gabe. Jonah Broscow, another IU student familiar to Bloomington audiences from The King’s Wife, will take on the role of Henry, Natalie’s compassionate boyfriend. Rounding out the ensemble is local actor John Armstrong in the dual roles of Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden.
Kate Galvin leads a skilled creative team that includes Music Director Ray Fellman, a professor at IU’s Department of Musical Theater, and Choreographer Laura Rong. Scenic design will be brought to life by Chris Haig, with lighting by Jennifer Fok and costumes by Katie Cowan Sickmeier. Brandon Reed handles sound design, while Cassie Hakken serves as Assistant Director. Stage management duties are shared by Topher Rohrer and Assistant Stage Manager Chelsea Pell, with Eric Doades managing sound mixing.
In addition to its traditional pricing, Constellation is once again offering its popular “Pay What You Will” program for Thursday evening performances. Sponsored by Jessika and Bryan Hane, the initiative gives audiences the flexibility to choose their own ticket price starting at just $13. Standard tickets begin at $35 for adults and $20 for students, and can be purchased through Constellation’s website (seeconstellation.org), by phone at (812) 336-9300, or in person at the Waldron box office (open Wednesday through Friday, 12 to 5 p.m.).
Located at 122 South Walnut Street, the Waldron Auditorium provides an intimate and immersive setting for this deeply personal musical. The venue’s acoustics and design make it well-suited for the emotional intensity and musical complexity of Next to Normal.
Since its original run on Broadway, Next to Normal has been widely praised for its unflinching look at mental health, its unconventional narrative structure, and its commitment to authenticity. It made history as one of the few musicals to win the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and its themes of resilience and love continue to resonate in an age when mental wellness is more openly discussed than ever.
For Constellation Stage & Screen, which formed in 2022 from the merger of Cardinal Stage and Bloomington Playwrights Project, Next to Normal represents both a nod to its roots and a step into the future. The show not only revisits a past success but also reflects the organization’s ongoing mission to present meaningful, challenging, and contemporary theater that speaks to the human experience.
As Bloomington theatergoers gear up for the new season, Next to Normal promises to be a moving and unforgettable theatrical event. With its mix of powerful performances, expert direction, and a story that cuts to the heart, this production is poised to be one of the highlights of the year.
Whether you’re a longtime fan of the musical or discovering it for the first time, this is a show that invites audiences to reflect, feel deeply, and, above all, listen to one another. The result is what The New York Times once described as a “feel-everything” musical — and for the team at Constellation, it’s the perfect way to begin another year of storytelling on the stage.
