ONE DAY ONLY: Next to Normal Auditions Jan 30, 4:30 to 6:30pm at the Schuster Theater
620 Sassafras St. 
Erie, PA 16501

Please use the elevator entrance located closer to 7^th street. Meet in the lobby on the first floor. 
Prepare a dramatic monologue and a song. You may choose to bring an accompaniment track on your phone or bring sheet music for the music director. There will be no dance audition; this is a movement musical more than a dance musical. 
**If you cannot attend auditions, you may submit a recorded audition and audition form to Angela Howell no earlier than Jan 20 and no later than 4:30pm on January 30. Please contact Angela in advance for an audition form. howell012@gannon.edu

Directed by: Angela Howell
Assistant Director: Molly Cooke
Music Director: Julya Polaski
Stage Manager: Emily Lynch

Casting Information:

Cast Size: Small (Up to 10 performers)
Cast Type: Ensemble Cast
Dance Requirements: None

As always, members of the Erie community are encouraged to audition with the awareness that Gannon University students will be prioritized during casting. Age ranges are flexible. Performance dates are April 20-29, 2023.

NEXT TO NORMAL by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt
Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. 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. This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.

Character Breakdown:

Diana
Delusional, bipolar, and depressed. The sexiness of her yesterdays has only recently begun to soften. She is determined to make her family perfect but is tortured by a death in the family.
Gender: Female
Age: 40 to 45
Vocal range top: F#5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Gabe
Diana & Dan's son. Dashing, athletic, and bright. He is a playful man and everything a mother could imagine.
Gender: Male
Age: 18 to 21
Vocal range top: C5
Vocal range bottom: B2

Dan
Diana's husband. He is handsome and genuine. Though a constant in Diana's tumultuous life, he has grown tired and weary of her antics.
Gender: Male
Age: 40 to 45
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: Ab2

Natalie
Diana & Dan's troubled daughter. An accomplished pianist and hardworking student, her struggles are exacerbated by her mother's behavior. She greatly admires Henry.
Gender: Female
Age: 16
Vocal range top: G5
Vocal range bottom: G3

Henry
Natalie's classmate. The all-around musician, philosopher, and slacker. He has an intoxicating capacity for sympathy and romance.
Gender: Male
Age: 17 to 17
Vocal range top: B4
Vocal range bottom: G#2

Dr. Madden
Diana's handsome psychiatrist. Quite assured in his practice and considered somewhat of a rock star.
Gender: Male
Age: 30 to 40
Vocal range top: A4
Vocal range bottom: A2

When four young singers are killed in a car crash, they posthumously take the stage for one final gig in FOREVER PLAID, a goofy, 1950s nostalgia trip.

Join us for the 2023 Clemente Fundraiser on February 3rd & 4th at 8:00 PM for a night of beloved songs and delightful patter that will have you rolling in the aisles when you're not humming along to some of the great nostalgic pop hits of the 1950s.

FOREVER PLAID stars Brendan Daugherty, Jared Lossie, Will Steadman, and Patrick Thiem. The production staff includes Almitra Clerkin, Shawn Clerkin, Angela Howell, and Kate Thiem.

Tickets are $25 each. Gannon students may purchase 1 student ticket per Gannon ID for $10 using code PERFIDIA. NO REFUNDS.

COVID policy: Vaccination and masking, though recommended, are optional to attend performances at the Schuster. If you are experiencing cold or flu like symptoms, please stay home. Contact Angela at howell0012@gannon.edu, and if there is a seat available for a different day or show, your ticket can be transferred. However, no refunds will be available. 

A dessert reception hosted by the Gannon Alumni Association will follow the Friday night performance, and a reception hosted by the family and friends of Alex Clemente will follow the Saturday night performance.

FOREVER PLAID Friday, February 3rd 2023, 8PM

$25.00

Buy now

FOREVER PLAID Saturday, February 4th 2023, 8PM

$25.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY is an original Twilight parody musical written and directed by Morgan Kennedy with music by Daniel Ruffing and George Meucci

DUSK is broody and fun parody of the first installment of the Twilight Saga, which had an undeniable grip on the world in the early 2000s (and an undeniable grip on meme culture ever since). Whether you love, hate, or love to hate Twilight, this show is for you.

The musical is still in development and will have its first workshop performance at Gannon University's Schuster Theater February 16, 17, 18, 23, 24, and 25, 2023.

TICKETS ON SALE NOW

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Thursday, Feb 16 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Friday, Feb 17 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Saturday, Feb 18 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Thursday Feb 23, 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Friday, Feb 24 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Saturday Feb 25, 2023, 2PM

$10.00

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DUSK: A BITE-SIZE LOVE STORY Saturday Feb 25, 2023, 8PM

$10.00

Buy now

Your support will have a direct impact in helping us reach our $12,000 goal to get our students to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in 2024! Visit https://fundraise.givesmart.com/vf/Fringe23 to donate today! 

Up Next in Our 2022-2023 Season

NEXT TO NORMAL by Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt
Next to Normal, with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt, explores how one suburban household copes with crisis and mental illness. Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal was also chosen as "one of the year's ten best shows" by critics around the country, including The Los Angeles Times, The Washington Post, Rolling Stone and The New York Times. 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. This deeply moving piece of theatre provides a wonderful opportunity for performers to explore dramatic material and showcase vocal talents with an energetic pop/rock score. Next to Normal is an emotional powerhouse that addresses such issues as grieving a loss, ethics in modern psychiatry, and suburban life.
April 20-29, 2023

Did you enjoy our production of THE TEMPEST?

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