Queenie van de Zandt to lead new production of Next to Normal

Next to Normal Queenie van de ZandtJames Terry Collective has announced it will be bringing the Tony Award winning musical, Next to Normal, to Chapel Off Chapel for a limited season this July.

This electric production will star Queenie van de Zandt in the leading role of Diana Goodman, the matriarch of a modern-day family traumatised by loss and the unpredictable effects sparked by her Bipolar diagnosis.

One of Australia’s most exciting stars of the stage, Queenie’s credits include King Kong (Global Creatures), Thoroughly Modern Millie (The Production Company) and Into The Woods (Victorian Opera).

With music by Tom Kitt, and Book & Lyrics by Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal is a powerful rock musical that grapples with crisis and mental illness. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards and won Best Original Score, Best Orchestration, following a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Next to Normal will be produced by James Terry Collective which received 7 Green Room Award nominations including Best Production for Legally Blonde the Musical (2019) and produced the critically acclaimed and sold-out season of RENT the Musical (2018).

This production will be directed by Mark Taylor (RENT, Bright Star), choreographed by Freya List (RENT, Chess) and musical direction by Nathan Firmin (Bright Star, Memphis). Further casting to be announced soon.

“While Next to Normal had its Broadway debut in 2009, its themes of mental health and our need for connection seem even more relevant in 2021,” said director Mark Taylor.

“Despite some of the darkness of the story, the musical ultimately offers us hope and light – two things we need more than ever today.”


Next to Normal
Chapel off Chapel, 12 Little Chapel Street, Prahran
Season: 15 – 25 July 2021
Information and Bookings: www.nexttonormal.com.au

Image: Queenie van de Zandt (supplied)