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Ensemble Theatre opens ‘Next to Normal’

Ryan Laskowski with Mary Beth Torgerson, foreground, and Joseph Watts and Megan Cobb, standing, rehearse a scene from "Next to Normal."
Ryan Laskowski with Mary Beth Torgerson, foreground, and Joseph Watts and Megan Cobb, standing, rehearse a scene from "Next to Normal." Ryan Laskowski with Mary Beth Torgerson, foreground, and Joseph Watts and Megan Cobb, standing, rehearse a scene from "Next to Normal."

By Staff Report 2 min read

If you go

› What: “Next to Normal”› Where: Ensemble Theater, 5705 Uptain Road› When: 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Jan. 19-20 and 26-27; 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 21 and 28› Admission: $20 adults, $17 students› For more information: 423-987-5141

The story of a mother who struggles with bipolar disorder and the effects that her illness has on her family is told in “Next to Normal,” the next production by Ensemble Theatre of Chattanooga, which opens Friday night, Jan. 19, for two weekends.

“Next to Normal” is a musical that also addresses issues of grief, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry and the underbelly of suburban life.

With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, the musical was the recipient of several accolades prior to its off-Broadway debut, including the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Score and Drama Desk Award nominations for Outstanding Actress and Outstanding Score.

The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for 11 Tony Awards in 2009 and won three. It also won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming the eighth musical in history to receive the honor.