NEXT TO NORMAL to be Presented by North Central Texas College
The cast rehearses in NCTC’s Denton Black Box. From Left: Owen Wildoner, Tony Johnson, Mackenzie Marshall, Calvin Russell, Cameron Stewart, Reese McElreath. Photo by Tyler Goodrich
Denton, TX – The drama department at North Central Texas College will present their summer musical, Next To Normal, June 20-22nd and 27-29th at the NCTC Denton Black Box Theater
Next to Normal is a powerful and deeply moving musical that explores the impact of mental illness on a seemingly typical American family. At the heart of the story is Diana Goodman, a mother struggling with bipolar disorder and the lingering trauma of a past loss. As Diana seeks treatment, her husband Dan tries to hold the family together, while their teenage daughter Natalie copes with feeling overlooked and unheard. What follows is a raw and honest journey through therapy, memory, and the complexities of love.
Set in the early 2000s, Next to Normal offers a bold and emotional look at how families navigate mental health challenges in a world often more comfortable with silence than honesty. With a rock-infused score by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, the show blends intensity and heart, capturing the highs and lows of a family in crisis.
Winner of the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Next to Normal is not just a story about illness, it’s a story about resilience, connection, and what it means to carry on when life doesn’t go according to plan. At once intimate and urgent, this groundbreaking musical invites audiences to confront the pain and beauty of being human.
Cameron Stewart performs the song “Doctor Rock” during a rehearsal. Photo by Tyler Goodrich.
Gabe (Tony Johnson) and Diana (Mackenzie Marshall) during a staging rehearsal. Photo by Tyler Goodrich
This production marks Dr. Aaron Wood’s first musical since joining the drama faculty at NCTC in September. He says: “As a teacher and scholar, musical theatre has long been my primary research area, and Next to Normal has loomed large in my list of dream musicals to produce. It is a story of grief, resilience, resistance, and light. I’ve found this musical genuinely offers something for any and every audience member.”
“NCTC is a community centered organization,” Wood continues, “So we strive to select works that we feel will resonate with our neighbors. With Next to Normal, we have a musical that works to balance the edgy undercurrents of a college town with the deep-rooted family culture of North Central Texas.”
Next to Normal runs Jun. 20-22 and Jun. 27-29, 2025 at the NCTC’s Denton Black Box Theater with evening performances at 7:30pm on Jun. 20, 21, 27, & 28, and matinee performances at 2:30pm on Jun. 22 & 29. For performance times, tickets and more, visit: https://NCTCN2N.eventbrite.com
About Next to Normal
Next to Normal Is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.mtishows.com
Next to Normal premiered Off-Broadway in January 2008 before transferring to Broadway in March of the following year. The musical was awarded the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and garnered 3 Tony Award wins and 11 total nominations.
About the North Central Texas College
NCTC is the oldest continuously operating 2-year college in Texas. We offer 7-locations are conveniently located throughout North Central Texas in Gainesville, Denton, Corinth, Flower Mound, Bowie, Graham, and Champions Circle. With more than 7,000 students, NCTC offers associate degrees, certificates, and transferable credits, as well as Career, Tech and Trade skills, Health Sciences, Continuing Education, and Dual Credit programs.
Contact
Dr. Aaron Wood
Instructor of Drama, North Central Texas College
awood@nctc.edu