A reimagined version of the Pulitzer Prize-winning musical Next to Normal opened July 22 at Taiwan’s National Taichung Theater in association with Activa Productions, Wuming Chen, and Hsiaoli Wu. Performances continue through July 30.
Presented in English with Mandarin subtitles, the cast features Taiwan native Ya Han Chang (Sayonara, The Subtle Body) and Ellis Gage (James & the Giant Peach) as Diana and Gabe, respectively, joined by Francis Chia as Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine, Taiwan actors Chi (I Love You, You’re Perfect… Now Change) as Natalie, ERay Chiang (April Rain) as Dan, and Sassoon Yang (The Fantasticks) as Henry. Understudies are Madeline Blue and Leo Chih-Hsiang Yen.
Get a look at the production in the photos below:
Sassoon Yang, Chi, Francis Chia, Ellis Gage, and ERay Chiang
Ellis Gage and Ya Han Chang
Chi and Sassoon Yang
Ya Han Chang and Ellis Gage
Francis Chia and Ya Han Chang
Ya Han Chang
Ellis Gage
Francis Chia
ERay Chiang
Chi
Ya Han Chang and Francis Chia
Chi, Ellis Gage, Ya Han Chang, and ERay Chiang
ERay Chiang
Ya Han Chang
Chi, Ya Han Chang, Ellis Gage, and ERay Chiang
Ya Han Chang and ERay Chiang
Ya Han Chang and ERay Chiang
Ya Han Chang, Ellis Gage, Chi, ERay Chiang, Sassoon Yang, and Francis Chia
Chi and Sassoon Yang
Directed by Carolyn Sun, the limited engagement also has assistant direction and choreography by Hsing-Chun Hsu, assistant direction and props by Ellen Lu, and assistant direction by Leo Chih-Hsiang Yen, who provided all Mandarin subtitles. Music director and conductor Yu-Mei Chang is joined by musicians Andy Coin, Gloria Chu, Nai-Han Jeng, Yun-Chieh Lee, and Hsin-Chuan Tseng.
The exploration of a suburban family struggling with the effects of mental illness has a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The original production won three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Original Score for the pair. The musical subsequently won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
The production also features scenic design by Hsuan-Hsun Cheng, lighting design by I-Hua Kao, sound design by Chien-Yang Tseng, costume design by Wen-Liang Chen, and hair/makeup by Natalie Hsieh, Cai-tong Xie, and Miao-Fang Wei.
The production stage manager is Ching-Yu Hsieh, the technical director is Hung-Chan Lee, the master electrician is Hao-Tsu Ting, the marketing director is Ching Hui Chen, the graphic designer is Black.H, and production assistants are ITing Lin and Michelle Yang.
Tickets are available by clicking here.
