PHOTO CALL: Next to Normal, with Ripley and Spencer, at Arena Stage

By Matthew Blank
December 13, 2008

The Washington, DC-area Arena Stage is currently presenting Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey's Next to Normal.

This staging of the rock musical reunites the creative team and much of the cast from the show's Off-Broadway run at Second Stage earlier this year. Michael Greif again directs the work with Sergio A. Trujillo returning to choreograph.

With new revisions to the music, lyrics and book, the cast is again headed by Alice Ripley as mother Diana. Joining her from the New York production are Aaron Tveit (Wicked, Hairspray) as son Gabe; Jennifer Damiano (Spring Awakening) as daughter Natalie; and Adam Chanler-Berat (Broadway's Les Misérables) as Henry, a classmate.

New to the company are J. Robert Spencer (Nick Massi in the original cast of Jersey Boys) as the father, Dan, and Louis Hobson in multiple roles.

Next to Normal runs through Jan. 18, 2009, at Arena Stage's temporary home in Crystal City (1800 S. Bell Street, Arlington, VA).

For tickets and more information visit www.arenastage.org or call (202) 488-3300.

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The cast of Next to Normal

J. Robert Spencer and Alice Ripley

Alice Ripley, Jennifer Damiano and Aaron Tveit

Alice Ripley and Louis Hobson

The cast of Next to Normal

Adam Chanler-Berat and Jennifer Damiano

Aaron Tveit, Alice Ripley and J. Robert Spencer

Photos by Joan Marcus