Well, opening weekend is coming up here for Phoenix Performing Arts, and this time we're taking a little bit of a shift than what we might normally have seen here at the Phoenix Performing Arts.

I have with me my friends here, Sean and Ashlea, thank you so much for joining me.

Next to normal is a production that's opening this weekend, and this one has a little bit of a different tone than I've seen with you guys in the past.

Yeah, so it's our third season, so we're third already I know.

Oh my gosh, I know it.

This is the first show for three years.

It's crazy.

I have a friend of hers mine do that.

And so as we kind of dip our toes into this third season where we're trying some new things, you know, there's so much available to producing art, right?

And so we're we're taking a turn here and we're getting really real, real vulnerable and real human, to a show that is absolutely stunning.

But I don't feel it is as well known.

And so we're very excited and feel really blessed to be able to share such a poignant story with the community this weekend.

And I love that you use the word human, because this is a very relatable story for many people across across the world, too.

Yeah, I think it can hit you in one of two ways.

Or maybe both.

I think, you know, there's moments that it will be relatable directly to the patron and the audience.

But even if you don't feel like, thankfully, you can't relate to some of the messaging in here, I feel like there's this really underlining message of empathy.

And I think now more than ever, it's really important to be able to step back and put ourselves in other people's shoes.

Yes, and understand that we are all going through something.

And if you can approach it with that mindset, I just think we will treat each other with so much more kindness.

And so although it is a very heavy, you know, kind of heartbreaking and, you know, moment in a musical theater, I think it also has silver lining of light and hope and, and something that everybody can take away with them and feel inspired to put into their daily lives.

Yeah.

And I know the title is next to normal.

I often feel like nobody's actually normal.

Oh, absolutely.

There is no definition of normal anymore, right?

Nobody does not.

That is boring.

It is.

It is fun.

Sean, tell us about your role that you're doing this time.

Sure.

So I play Dan Goodman.

He's this his family of four that it kind of centers around.

And he's the husband the father and his wife.

Diana is going through bipolar disorder.

So his role in it, he's he's trying to manage the, the, illness.

And, he kind of learned some hard lessons that that's not the easiest thing to do.

You know, she goes through so many different types of treatment.

She goes through, your prescriptions, her hypnosis, her electric shock therapy.

Yes.

And, the story does a beautiful job of showing how it affects, you know, Diana, the wife, but also the family around her.

So you see how it affects the husband, wife relationship.

Mother, son, father daughter, daughter boyfriend.

You know, it plays with all these different relationships.

And, Yeah, Dan just really takes, this, you know, side ride along with Diana to try and manage it and try and do what's best for his family and his, which is really great that it kind of showcases the caregiver aspect.

Right?

Because that's something that we don't always consider.

It's always, you know, generally focused on the patient and how we can help them better.

But to have that caregiver perspective I think is really phenomenal.

What kinds of, experiences maybe have you are you pulling from to help you in this role if you want to share?

Sure.

No, I think it's, you know, everyone if you if you're not if you don't have any type of mental illness or disorder, you know, someone who does.

So I think, like I said, the show just does a really good job of, you know, the affected is always the most affected in these situations, but it shows how it affects the ones around them as well.

So I think about, you know, if I've ever had a friend or family member who's gone through this kind of thing, how it affected me and what I did to try and help it and that kind of thing.

And what is the best step.

And I like we said, the title is next to normal.

He's trying to curate this perfect, painless life.

And, you know, I think he realizes that's not that's just not possible.

No it isn't.

Well, I have to say, stepping into the theater and I see your set, it is beautiful.

Is your husband the lead on this?

Yeah.

This guy.

Yeah.

He's amazing.

I love you, so talented.

Yeah.

I'm just a little bit about what went into the set making this road.

Yeah.

So this show is again different.

Not just because of context, but because of cast size.

So this show is only six people.

Is it really?

It's only six people.

And that's what the show calls for.

And so you would think, oh it's six people, but it is grandiose and spectacle and in creation.

And so I think the set size kind of matches the depth and the umph of what this production brings.

And so there are a lot of caveat moments of things where the emotional turmoil we're experiencing is also kind of paralleling in the, in the blocking and the staging of what's going on.

And so I think that was kind of what his goal was, is to make something that feels lived in something real, and it looks like you are in someone's house, but then has those moments that you can apply those technical more, special effect, more theatrical moments, to showcase all the mixtures and all of the energy levels that are crisscrossing throughout the entire production.

Yeah.

And are you directing this show?

I am not, you're not.

I got your costumes this time.

Look at you.

Yeah, we're doing the running a youth show at the same time, so.

Yeah.

So we actually had, a guest director, Brian Scully.

He's been on our stage before, and so, he and Zach did the artistic and technical directing, and then Brian did the stage directing.

And so it's been really neat to see, just people kind of intertwining and interweaving into different roles and, and just to see it come to life with so many really tender heart just putting their touch on here.

Absolutely.

And I know everyone who's a part of Phoenix Performing Arts.

You guys have made your name in this community.

I just love it.

And so for those who are coming to the audience, you know, what do we want to share with them?

What do you hope that they take away with them at the end of this production?

Yeah, I mean, we did first and foremost, I think it stands to just give a warning that there there is some sensitive content that comes with this production.

I do think it's been very sensitively and and beautifully done.

I don't think that there is anything that I would feel would be, too heavy that you couldn't handle it.

A fear of a certain age and understanding of what the source material is about.

There's some really cool artistic touches that have been done, and I love watching that.

But then also, I just not only are you supporting our in our community, which I think is so important, but you're supporting people's stories both real and and make believe, right?

As Sean kind of touched on, even if you don't, thankfully suffer from neurodivergent see or, or type of, neurological disorder or mental illness someone in your life does, whether you know it or not, right?

You may be walking down the street.

People you work with, people that are your best friends may not even share it with you.

And so being able to support that awareness, we're going to have the Samaritan Center here as our guest.

This weekend, to provide information on mental health services and just to kind of shine a light on the fact that mental health and mental health advocacy is a good thing.

Yeah, it's okay not to be okay.

And I just hope that we can, help shine a light on that in a way that is a little bit more palatable through, you know, song and through theater.

And it isn't musical.

It is sung all the way through rock score or rock score.

Rocks!

See the star up there?

Rock score I love it, and, Sean, you are so talented.

I've seen you perform before.

What is it been like as far as the actor experience in this?

Because it is a smaller cast.

It's only six of us.

And, you know, you see that in an audition notice and on the cast list and you're like, okay, six people.

But our first rehearsal, we all got there and we're like, oh, this is it.

It's luckily this a lot of people knew each other, worked with each other beforehand.

So we kind of broke that barrier right away.

And everyone has just been so supportive.

You know, we talk about the heavy content, but, you know, at the end of each rehearsal, we all check in with each other.

Oh, I love that.

One night it got real heavy about the new Harry styles song came out.

We do that all so I could see them across the way and they're all dancing.

I'm like, this is good.

You need those moments of reprieve.

You do, you do?

Absolutely no.

What are the performances happening?

So just one we can donate Valentine's Day weekend this week.

Yeah.

Three time free chances to see.

And I said, you know, we've curated a perfect Valentine's Day date for you.

You can go get dinner and drinks locally and then come see a live performance.

And then I don't do more, you know, drinks or party.

And after that, right.

And all you have to do is show up.

So it's February 13th at 730 14th, happy Valentine's Day at 730.

And then the final show is the 15th, at 3 p.m.. And how can people get their tickets?

So you can call our telephone number.

It's (574) 971-8162.

Or the better option is online because that you have access to all, all hours of the day.

Or you can also get them at the door.

But if you buy them ahead of time, the price is the same as it is at the door.

So I love this as an opportunity to, you know, spend the weekend.

If you don't already have your Valentine's, I will tell you, I don't have my Valentine's Day plans yet this weekend.

So now you do.

Now here's your option.

If you're like, what am I going to do?

Here's your opportunity to do that.

What do you guys have coming up next real quick?

Oh my gosh.

We are actually honored to be the regional premiere of a musical called Come From Away.

And so it's a musical that is all about, a live event that happened during the September 11th attacks, when planes were rerouted to Newfoundland and Canada.

And so our auditions are literally the Friday after the show.

So next Friday, what is it, the 21st and then that Friday and Sunday?

Yes.

Yeah, 20th and 22nd.

And Sean is co-directing that with Zach.

So good for you.

So we're doing all the new things this season I love it.

I'm excited for you guys.

I hope you have a phenomenal season this year and break a leg.

Thank you so, so much.