PRESS KIT: Next to Normal ______

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – 06/15/2013

Next to Normal By Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey Directed by Glenda ManWaring July 11 – 27, 2013 Thurs. – Sat. 8pm Sun. 3pm

Next to Normal is best described as a “feel everything” rock musical. Playwright and lyricist Brian Yorkey employs humor through funny lines and situations to balance and lighten the play’s serious and painful situations of human life. The music by Tom Kitt provides pleasure in itself. The music connects to the audience’s emotions in ways that simple spoken words cannot. Bringing these two masters together birthed this extraordinary, award winning masterpiece.

Its story concerns a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effect that her illness has on her family. The musical also addresses such issues as grieving a loss, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and love-- both old and new.

Next to Normal was nominated for 11 Tony Awards when it opened and was awarded 3 Tony Awards for Best Original Score, Best Orchestration, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical. In addition, it also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming just the eighth musical in history to do so.

Centre Stage is partnering with the Greenville Health System in presenting two panel discussions during the run of this musical. The first discussion will be held after the 3PM matinee performance on Sunday, July 14 and the second one will be a 12PM Lunch & Learn on Friday, July 19th. Both of these panel discussions are titled, “Let’s Talk About Mental Illness” and will include local doctors, psychologists, psychiatrists, clinicians and guests from NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness). The Sunday panel will be open seating and will begin around 5:15 – 5:30PM. The Friday “Lunch & Learn” session will require free registration and can be completed at ghs.org/healthevents or call 1-877-GHS-INFO (447- 4636). Both discussions are free and open to the public.

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Tickets for Next to Normal are $30 for adults and $25 for juniors (ages 4-18). Student rush tickets available 15 minutes prior to show time for $20 with school ID (day of, based on availability), one ticket per ID.

This production is sponsored by Greenville Health System

Next to Normal will be performed July 11 - 27, 2013 with performances Thursdays-Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Shows run Thursdays through Sundays only and all seats are reserved.

The box office can be reached at (864) 233-6733 on Tuesdays – Fridays from 2-6 p.m. and two hours before performances. Tickets and additional information are available online at www.centrestage.org.

MEDIA ONLY: FOR MORE INFORMATION Allen Evans, Marketing Director 864-363-6401 [email protected]

Production details

Play title: Next to Normal Tickets: Adults $30 By Tom Kitt & Brian Yorkey Juniors $25

Play type: Rock musical Box Office: Hours are 2-6 p.m. Tues.-Fri. And 2 hours before show Dates: July 11-27, 2013

Location: Centre Stage Contact: Allen Evans 501 River Street Marketing Director Greenville, SC 29601 [email protected] (First floor of the Morgan Stanley Wealth Management building, one block behind the Westin Poinsett Hotel) Website: www.centrestage.org

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Cast Production Personnel David Bean Glenda ManWaring, Director/Set Design Mary Freeman Josh Morton, Music Director Tony Glass Kimberlee Ferreira, Choreographer Paige ManWaring Laura Nicholas, Stage Manager Chris Rose Melanie Wiliford, Assistant Director Brady Smith Chase McAbee, Rehearsal Accompanist Tiffany Morton, Costume Design Paige ManWaring, Props & Scenic Dressing Eddie Howard, Sound Design Maranada DeBusk, Lighting Design Thom Seymour, Technical Director/Set Design Stefano Lance, Set Design, Intern

IN THE GALLERY AT CENTRE STAGE

The art of Garland Mattox will be on display June 28th through August 19th, Tues. – Fri. 2-6 p.m. The exhibit is presented in cooperation with the Metropolitan Arts Council. This partnership is sponsored by SCB&T.

Next to Normal PRESS KIT Centre Stage 3