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February 20 – March 15, 2015

NEXT TO NORMAL

Music by Tom Kitt
Book and Lyrics by Brian Yorkey

Dad’s an architect; Mom rushes to pack lunches and pour cereal; their daughter and son are bright, wise-cracking teens, appearing to be a typical American family. And yet their lives are anything but normal, because the mother has been battling manic depression for 16 years. NEXT TO NORMAL takes audiences into the minds and hearts of each character, presenting their family’s story with love, sympathy and heart. Photos by Michael Brunk | NWlens.com

NEXT TO NORMAL

PRODUCTION BIOGRAPHIES

Ann Cornelius (Diana) graduated Shenandoah University with a BFA Music Theater. She has worked in both theater and film/tv, such as Netflix "house of cards" to Miss Sandra in "All Shook up!" She loves all facets of the arts! She is new to the Seattle area and is so ecstatic to be making her debut here at SecondStory Rep!

Ryan McCabe (Dan Goodman) Previously at SecondStory Rep: La Cage Aux Folles [2014 Gypsy Rose Lee Award nominee] and Kiss Of The Spider Woman. Thanks to my family, Jeff, Josh, The Squolf, and Kat. “When our long night is done there will be light.”

Nicholas Tarabini (Gabe) is so excited to be making his SSR debut! Past credits include: Fiddler on the Roof (Motel), Jesus Christ Superstar (Simon), Hairspray (Link), Les Miserable (Grantaire). Thanks to his family and friends for their love and support.

Aaron Howland (Doctor) is brand new to the Seattle area, hailing from New Hampshire where he studied theater at Keene State College. His favorite roles include Roger in RENT, Elyot Chase in PRIVATE LIVES, and Brad in ROCKY HORROR PICTURE SHOW. He is thrilled that SecondStory Repertory is giving him the opportunity to act in one of his favorite musicals of all time. Thanks to mom for everything!

Christopher Ellis (Henry) a recent graduate of the University of Puget Sound, is thrilled to be making his first appearance with SecondStory in one of his favorite shows. Previous credits include roles in In The Next Room, Ragtime, and Puget Sound's A Night of Opera Scenes. He sends his love to the cast, crew, and Ado.

Regan Morris (Natalie) bio not provided.

MEET THE PRODUCTION TEAM

Abigail Pishaw (Stage Manager) is super excited to be working on her first show with SSR! A Development Coordinator by day, stage manager by night, she has stage managed for Ghost Light Theatricals (she is also their Marketing Director), Theater Schmeater and Taproot Theatre Company. Next up, she will be ASM for Taproot's "Jeeves Intervenes" in the late spring.

Laurie Roberts (Costume Designer) is very happy and proud to be returning to design costumes for this production of Next to Normal. She has costumed many productions for SSR over the years including Picasso at the Lapin Agile and The Mystery of Irma Vep. Her work will next be seen in this Spring's production of Pinkalicious: the Musical. Thanks to the cast and production team of this show for all of their hard work. Thanks to Mark and Jen for the opportunity.

Jen Chenovick (Light Design) Jen's theatrical career began in 2002 when she was asked to assistant stage manage The Importance of Being Ernest right here at SSR. Following her passion for theater Jen moved to Hollywood in 2005 where she stage managed for The Blank Theatre including the oddly satisfying Lobster Alice starring Noah Wylie and Nicholas Brendon. While in California, she also worked with Syzygy Theatre Group and the World Premiere of Tender, Abi Morgan’s trenchant drama of the human hunger for connection. Jen moved back to Redmond in 2007 and jumped right back into her work with SSR. During her eighteen plus years at SSR Jen has worn many hats, from stage manager to production manager to managing director and now light design. Special thanks to my parents, they’re pretty cool.

Mark Chenovick (Set Design/Technical Director) has been designing, building, and painting sets since the mid-eighties. Having the fortune to begin his theatrical career under the tutelage of Don McLaughlin in his hometown of Helena Montana, Mark continued his training at the University of Washington where he was accepted into the Graduate Design Seminar his sophomore year. With subsequent degrees in Art History and Drama, Mark went on to serve as technical director/designer for multiple organizations including: Virginia Musical Theatre, Fort Peck Summer Theatre, the Merry-Go-Round Playhouse, Little Theater of the Rockies, and the Norfolk Governor’s School for the Arts. As Technical Director/Production Manager of the national tour of Anything Goes (starring Gloria Loring) Mark travelled around the United States and Canada realizing that there is no place quite as wonderful as the Pacific Northwest. Shortly after the turn of the millennium, and following a brief stint as a carpenter at The Studio Theatre in Washington D.C., he moved back to Seattle. Locally he has worked behind the scenes for the Village Theatre, Seattle Musical Theatre, Redwood Theatre, and, of course, SecondStory Repertory.


Mark Chenovick (Sound Design) I began my sound design journey splicing reel-to-reel tape together in the basement of the original Penthouse Theater on the University of Washington campus but it was my brief time in the MFA program at Utah State University, where I learned the joys of digital sound design, and subsequently, became hooked on sound design for life. Having provided composed and curated underscoring and soundscaping, original and sourced sound effects, and performance amplification services for multiple theaters across the US, I have felt the most at home at SSR. Special thanks to Squolfie, ‘lil Squolf, and my extended family. You are the music of my life. #bandistoohot #sorrynotsorry

Mark Chenovick (Projection Design) has designed projections for over 100 shows in the last ten years. Prior to that he worked with CJS design, a website design and hosting company, developing custom websites for clients ranging from Draper Valley Farms to Seattle Film Group. He also co-created and ran the now defunct SeattleActor.com, a website focused on Seattle area theater, featuring audition listings, helpful articles, and show reviews. In addition to projections, Mark also designs all of the marketing materials you see at SSR including; posters, show graphics, and website. All my love to Jen. Enjoy the show!

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