‘Next to Normal’ by The Sandbox Collective to Champion Mental Health in 2025
The Broadway musical Next to Normal, written by Tom Kitt (music) and Brian Yorkey (book and lyrics), returns to the Manila stage this February, produced by The Sandbox Collective.
Why bring it back in 2025? Director and Sandbox Collective’s Artistic Director, Toff de Venecia, says:
“I think there’s a reason why mental health is the core advocacy of Sandbox. From Every Brilliant Thing to Lungs, to Spelling Bee, to Tiny Beautiful Things, to Dani Girl, there’s always a need to have a platform to talk about it.”
He adds, “The last time Next to Normal was done here was a short [Ateneo] blueREP upended run during the pandemic, and before that, it was Atlantis [Productions] in 2011. So I think It’s time to bring this very important piece back for the Manila audiences, especially with a new generation—Gen Z and Gen Alpha. I think it’s very timely, timeless, and important.”
“Post-pandemic, so many people had to go through that upheaval of the pandemic, so mental illness was very rampant,” adds Sab Jose, Sandbox’s Marketing and Public Relations Manager. “Sandbox has been doing so many shows on mental health and we want to continue that conversation and extend that beyond the four walls of the theater.”
Next to Normal is a rock musical that explores the complexities of mental health, family dynamics, and resilience. At its heart is Diana Goodman, a suburban mother grappling with bipolar disorder and the lingering trauma of loss. Her struggle with mental illness impacts every member of her family, including her steadfast husband, Dan, overachieving daughter, Natalie, and enigmatic son, Gabe.
The production features Shiela Valderrama and Nikki Valdez alternating as Diana, OJ Mariano and Floyd Tena alternating as Dan Goodman, Sheena Belarmino and Jam Binay alternating as Natalie Goodman, Vino Mabalot and Benedix Ramos alternating as Gabe Goodman, Omar Uddin and Davy Narciso alternating as Natalie’s love interest Henry, and Jef Flores as Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine.
Mariano says, “I think it’s necessary to have a constant reminder that [mental health] should be discussed openly because as a people, we have this tendency to [think], ‘Okay, we’re into this now,’ then give it a few weeks, wala na, nakalimutan na. So it’s good to always go back to mental awareness.”
Mark Dalacat, Production Designer and Associate Director, highlights how this material, which premiered on Broadway 15 years ago, resonates with a new generation better equipped with the language and capacity to discuss mental health.
De Venecia notes, “There were many unspoken things before, but now people are more open about their mental health issues.” The production team also brought in mental health experts, grief counselors, psychiatrists, a dramaturg, a spiritual adviser, and an intimacy coordinator. “All of these different elements come together to create an experience that hopefully is a little bit more grounded and authentic.”
2025 STAGING: STRIPPED-DOWN, LIVE MUSIC
Ejay Yatco, who serves as Musical Director, was part of the blueREP production alongside cast members Jef Flores, who previously played Dan Goodman, as well as Jam Binay and Davy Narciso, both of whom are reprising their roles. Unfortunately, the production ran for only one weekend before being shut down by the pandemic. “Para siyang battle na hindi ko natuloy,” he says.
This time, Yatco is delighted to share that the production will be having a live band in all its performances. “But even better, I requested for a real piano, because I didn’t want an electronic, synthesized, keyboard sound. I wanted raw, I wanted real, I wanted organic.”
“…as an almost sung-through musical, the music itself is a 7th character of this show. Meron din siyang arc, so I really want the audience to experience that when they watch.”
De Venecia adds, “Mas malaki iyung pressure ngayon because it’s a very stripped down staging. So it’s really the emotions and the performances [that will] carry the show. Of course the music also, and I’m excited for the lights. The set of Mark has been so amazing to play with. Sobrang Sandbox iyung set in the sense na, it’s really a place where you can play and get creative.”
“We ended up with a production that leans heavily into the semiotics of grief. There’s nowhere to hide in this space.”
The full creative team includes director Toff de Venecia, musical director Ejay Yatco, choreographer Stephen Viñas, production designer and associate director Mark Dalacat, hair and makeup designer Elliza Dawn Aurelio, dramaturg Jonas Garcia, intimacy coach Serena Magiliw, lighting designer Gabo Tolentino, Sound Designer/Engineer Aji Manalo, and technical director Francisco Miguel Yabut.
Next to Normal will run from February 1 to 23, 2025 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight, Circuit Makati. Tickets are available through Ticket2Me.
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