Rock musical on stage in Tucson sheds light on mental illness and hope | Arts and Theater

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From left, Matthew Holter, Liz Cracchiolo and Xander Mason in the production of “Next to Normal” for the Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company.

Courtesy of the Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company

Kathleen Allen Special for the Arizona Daily Star

On paper, “Next to Normal” doesn’t scream “see me”.

The rock musical – currently offered by the Southern Arizona Performing Arts Company – is about grief, a broken family and a bipolar woman who is haunted by grief and a world she cannot accept.

It’s full of empathy, pain, and ultimately hope.

And this production is full of talent.

“Next to Normal” is about Diana, a manic-depressive woman who struggles to make her worried husband and anxious teenage daughter happy. And to keep the ghost of her dead son in check.

This is not an easy task. Diana is fed ineffective drugs and sent to psychiatrists who do not help. Her husband is exhausted from trying to keep her mentally healthy and to keep the family together. Your daughter just doesn’t understand why mom can’t do her song recitals or give her the guidance and love a teen needs so badly.

The cast is led by the talented Liz Cracchiolo, who gives the grieving Diana humanity and courage even in the midst of desperation. This is a role that would be easy to exaggerate; that never happens in Cracchiolo’s capable hands.

Dan, Diana’s husband, is almost crippled with concern for his wife. Matthew Holter plays the role of a man full of love, worry and despair.

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