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Theatre of Dare, community theater for the Outer Banks, will present Next to Normal as its next production. The show opens Thursday, April 14 at 7:30 p.m. at 3848 N. Croatan Highway, MP 4, in Kitty Hawk and continues April 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23 at 7:30 p.m. with matinees on April 17 and 24 at 2 p.m.

“The musical does deal with mature subject matter and is not particularly suitable for young children,” noted a Theatre of Dare press release.

With book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and lyrics by Tom Kitt, Next to Normal won three Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

“The 2008 rock musical tells the journey of one seemingly typical family just trying to live through each day. With a mother who is battling severe bi-polar depression, a father who is trying to keep it all glued together, the perfect son and the daughter who feels unseen, their household is anything but normal,” stated the release. “The story addresses mental illness and the effect it has on an entire family. It examines love, grief, and the role psychiatry has in mental illness. The music and the story are a raw and emotional telling of suburban life where next to normal is as good as it gets.”

“Next to Normal is not your typical happy-clappy musical,” says Lara Parks, director of the show. “It has a powerful message, and I think our audience will be mesmerized by the music and the intensity of the story. Most people can relate in some way to one or more of the characters and what they’re going through.”

Following the April 17 matinee, members of the Saving Lives Task Force Resilience group will conduct a guided discussion and question/answer session with the cast, crew and interested audience members to highlight the various mental health and substance abuse services available in the community. All are welcome to join the discussion, even those not attending that day’s performance.

“Ultimately I think everyone is going to be blown away by the talent we’ve assembled,” Parks continued. “The material and the subject matter are challenging, and these performers are really giving it their all. Even if you’ve never heard of Next to Normal, I really believe that you’ll be impressed – this is one you don’t want to miss.”

Tickets are on sale now and recommended in order to guarantee a seat. For more information and to purchase tickets, visit theatreofdareobx.com.

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