‘Next to Normal’: A tale both ‘timeless and timely’ about mental health
The best thing about “Next to Normal,” a rock musical that delves into the complexities of mental illness within a suburban family, is that it is both “timeless and timely,” according to theater producer Christopher “Toff” de Venecia.
De Venecia, as managing artistic director, will stage the Tony Award-winning musical under his The Sandbox Collective from Feb. 1 to Feb. 23 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati.
With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, the show delivers an experience that resonates deeply with audiences, particularly Filipinos, through its themes of grief, healing, and family.
“Even 10 years from now, people will still very much relate to it. It’s a Broadway musical, but it’s very Pinoy. It’s about family. It’s very emotional—Pinoys love that,” he told reporters during a recent studio visit at the Mirror Theater in Makati City.
“There’s never enough forums and platforms for people to talk about mental health, to shed light on it, and to demystify the misconceptions about it. Of course, grief is what really connects all of us,” De Venecia said when asked how the local audience will relate to the show, which debuted Off-Broadway in 2008.
Since its Broadway debut in 2009, “Next to Normal” has been credited with bringing discussions of mental health into mainstream theater. It won three Tony Awards in 2009, including Best Musical Score, and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
“I learned from Sab, who is a grief counselor for their family business, that grief is not just about the loss of a loved one. It can also apply to losing your job, your romantic partner, yourself, or your identity,” he said. Sab is Isabella Jose-Gregorio, his partner in Sandbox Collective and the director of its marketing department.
Emotional rollercoaster
More than just a drama, the musical takes audiences on an emotional roller-coaster ride. The music, ranging from soaring ballads to rock-driven numbers, plays a crucial role in the storytelling, De Venecia noted.
For the cast, the songs hit close to home. Nikki Valdez, playing the lead role of Diana Goodman, shared that “Maybe” reminds her of real-life conversations with her daughter Olivia, now 16. “The song, on a regular day, is how I really speak to my daughter, especially when we make amends after a quarrel. Out of all the songs, this one really speaks to me. So when I get to that part, it gets very personal,” the actress said.
Jam Binay (Natalie Goodman) said the rawness of the lyrics makes audiences feel the characters’ struggles. “The characters have so many walls up, but they’re not afraid to be raw with their emotions,” she explained. “That really touches the hearts of the audience.”
Meanwhile, Benedix Ramos (Gabe Goodman) described the music as something that “doesn’t have to be overly dramatic to make you cry—it just seeps into your soul.”
Jef Flores (Dr. Madden) pointed out how carefully the music is woven into the story: “It’s not just a bunch of songs put together. The composer really took care of each moment between the characters, and that excites me the most.”
Beyond the performances, the production takes an intentional approach to visual storytelling. Production designer Mark Dalacat said they turned the stage into a “semi-permeable space” where audiences can project their own emotions. “Hopefully, we’ve created something that resonates with a new generation of audiences,” he said.
Symbolism
Instead of a literal representation of a home, the staging leans into symbolism, said De Venecia, who drew from personal experience with grief and loss following the death of his sister two decades ago. “My mom associated my sister with butterflies,” he shared. “That symbolism is something we leaned into while staging the show.”
The team partnered with local mental health organizations to ensure they were handling the subject matter responsibly. Collaborating with The Medical City and Sulong, they attended lectures on grief, bipolar disorder, ADHD, and anxiety—conditions central to the show’s narrative. Producer Jose-Gregorio, who has a background in grief counseling, also contributed insights that helped shape the production’s themes.
Davy Narciso (Henry) said being open about mental health struggles is crucial to healing. “Not everyone can talk about mental health with their families. That’s why we hope this show encourages more transparency. From a child’s perspective, coming to your parents about a mental health issue is not easy, especially if they grew up in an environment where it’s not normal to talk about it and is easily brushed aside.
“Thankfully, when I came to my parents with my own problems, they were very accepting. They didn’t get it at first, but they tried to understand. Not everyone is as blessed. If there’s one thing we want audiences to take away from this, it’s that if transparency isn’t happening in their families yet, they can at least try to start it.”
Floyd Tena (Dan Goodman) agreed and added, “Mental health and grief have no faces. That’s why it’s timeless. Each member of the family can identify with any of the characters in the story.”
The production is part of The Sandbox Collective’s 10th anniversary celebration. Also in the cast are Shiela Valderrama (Diana), OJ Mariano (Dan), Sheena Belarmino (Natalie), Vino Mabalot (Gabe), and Omar Uddin (Henry), with musical direction by Ejay Yatco. It is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). New York, NY, USA. All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. For ticket information, follow The Sandbox Collective on social media or visit www.thesandboxco.com.
