ORLANDO, Fla. \u2013 A powerful, emotionally charged musical is coming to the stage for four days only, featuring a cast of performers with national and regional touring and professional credits, Orlando-based creatives, and emerging musical theatre talent.<\/p>\n
Directed by Broadway veteran Michael Jablonski, a current faculty member with UCF\u2019s musical theatre program, the musical tells a story about family, mental illness, grief, and healing.<\/p>\n
The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize\u2013winning rock musical follows Diana Goodman and her family as they confront the challenges of bipolar disorder and search for stability in the aftermath of loss. <\/p>\n
With a raw, honest look at resilience and the lasting impact of mental illness, the production pairs its deeply human story with a dynamic contemporary rock score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.<\/p>\n
What makes this show even more interesting is that it allows Resident Artist interns currently pursuing BFAs in musical theatre to work alongside professionals.<\/p>\n
Lyndi Floyd-Sweet is one of those interns. She plays Natalie in the show. She said she has learned so much through the program. <\/p>\n
\u201cAlongside being in Next to Normal, the interns assist and lead week-long youth theatre arts programs. Inspiring young artists is so rewarding,\u201d said Floyd-Sweet. <\/p>\n
\u201cGoing from Camp all day into rehearsal has not been easy, but the Interns have built such a special friendship. We all are incredibly supportive of each other, especially through the hard days.\u201d<\/p>\n
One of the professionals Floyd-Sweet is working with is Broadway\u2019s Kim Sava.<\/p>\n
Rehearsals of “Next to Normal,” which runs August 6\u20139 in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center. (Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts)<\/p>\n
\u201cWhat makes this opportunity really special to me is getting to work with college-age students who are seriously considering doing this with their lives. This profession is so tough, and if I can give them any advice, encouragement, or help them in any way as they\u2019re starting out, I absolutely will. I honestly wish we had a program like this when I was in college,\u201d said Sava. <\/p>\n
Most recently, she performed with the original Broadway cast of \u201cBeetlejuice the Musical.\u201d Before that, she toured with the cast of \u201cMatilda the Musical.\u201d In \u201cNext to Normal,\u201d Sava plays Diana.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs an actor, this role has also pushed me in a way I haven\u2019t experienced before. I\u2019ve never played someone this vulnerable, and Diana asks you to go to some really raw places. It\u2019s scary at times, but that\u2019s also what makes it exciting. Those are the kinds of roles that remind me why I love doing this,\u201d said Sava.<\/p>\n
The program has become a launching pad for successful careers with performers starring in shows like \u201cHamilton,\u201d \u201cSIX,\u201d \u201cKimberly Akimbo,\u201d and \u201cLost Boys.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cNext to Normal\u201d runs August 6\u20139 in the Alexis & Jim Pugh Theater at Dr. Phillips Center. <\/p>\n
The show has an age restriction of 13 and up. <\/p>\n