Tony Nominee Spencer Will Exit Next to Normal in May | Playbill

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News Tony Nominee Spencer Will Exit Next to Normal in May Tony Award nominee J. Robert Spencer will depart the Broadway production of the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal May 16.
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J. Robert Spencer Photo by Evan Kafka

Original Jersey Boys cast member Spencer assumed the role of Dan, the well-intentioned father of the deteriorating Goodman family, in the pre-Broadway Arena Stage production of Next to Normal in 2008. He earned a Tony nomination for his work when the production transferred to Broadway in the spring of 2009. Brian D'Arcy James originated the role Off-Broadway.

A replacement for Spencer has not been named.

"We're so grateful to Bobby, who has really been the backbone of our show," producer David Stone said in a statement. "We're very pleased for him as he pursues other exciting opportunities."

Next to Normal, which was recently named the 2010 Pulitzer Prize winner for Drama, currently stars Tony Award winner Alice Ripley, Tony nominee Jennifer Damiano, Kyle Dean Massey, Adam Chanler-Berat and Louis Hobson. Michael Greif directed the rock musical by Tony Award winners Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey.

Next to Normal is "a contemporary musical that explores how one suburban household copes with crisis. . . . [The musical] shows how far two parents will go to keep themselves sane and their family's world intact," according to production notes.

Next to Normal arrived on Broadway in March 2009 following an Off-Broadway run at Second Stage and a regional engagement at the Arena Stage in Washington, DC. The musical earned Tony Awards for Best Score and Best Orchestrations, as well as Best Actress for Alice Ripley.

Next to Normal currently plays the Booth Theatre. Visit NexttoNormal.

 
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