NEXT TO NORMAL by Pangdemonium Theatre Company

presents

5 - 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 DRAMA CENTRE THEATRE

presents

Music by Tom Kitt

Book & Lyrics Brian Yorkey

With Sally Ann Triplett Adrian Pang Julia Abueva

Nathan Hartono

Juan Jackson

Nathan Hartono

Produced by Tracie & Adrian Pang Production Design Philip Engleheart

Musical Direction Joel Nah Lighting Design James Tan

Vocal Coach Amanda Colliver

Choreography George Chan

Sound Design Ctrl Fre@k (Jeffrey Yue) Directed by Tracie Pang

5 - 22 SEPTEMBER 2013 DRAMA CENTRE THEATRE

Original Broadway Production Produced by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whittman, Patrick Catullo and Second Stage Theatre New York Premiere Produced by Second Stage Theatre, New York. February 2008 Carole Rothman, Artistic Director Ellen Richard, Executive Director Next to Normal was subsequently produced by Arena Stage in November 2008. Developed at Village Theatre, Issaquah, WA (Robb Hunt, Executive Producer Steve Tomkins, Artistic Director) An earlier version was presented in the 2005 New York Musical Theatre Festival. Support for the development of Next to Normal was provided by the Jonathan Larson Foundation Next to Normal is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI, 421 West 54th Street New York, NY 10019 USA Phone: 212-541-4684 Fax: 212-397-4684 www.MTIShows.com

“Normal is avoiding depression with large daily doses of television”

- Paulo Coelho, Author of The Alchemist

Normally, mental illness on screen (and on stage) is portrayed in extreme ways, and not just for dramatic effect. In Western culture psychic pain has tended to be seen as the territory of the artist, visionary, rebel, genius; and mental illness is often used in drama to signify creativity, sensitivity or spiritual and intellectual depth. The creators of Next To Normal, Brian Yorkey (book & lyrics) and Tom Kitt (music), were keenly aware of that romantic notion and studiously worked to avoid it, spending exhaustive months researching the subject of mental illness. And that is what Pangdemonium has also worked very hard to do with Next To Normal – to tell this story sensitively, truthfully and enlighteningly. When we decided to take on this musical, we knew that we had something in our hands that was pretty damned “abnormal”. For starters, the subject matter of mental illness itself is a minefield to dramatize on stage; to make it a musical is even more, well, insane. The fact that it actually worked - to the tune of a Pulitzer Prize for Drama, eleven Tony Award nominations, and a respectable run on mainstream Broadway - makes it a far-from-“normal” musical. But it is also easy to understand why: the writing is passionate, funny, savage, poignant and real. With characters you care for and also want to run away from (i.e. family). And music and lyrics that can make you soar, and can also cut right through you. Little wonder the New York Times described Next To Normal as “much more than a feel-good musical: it is a feel-everything musical”.

“Every normal person, in fact, is only normal on the average. His ego approximates to that of the psychotic in some part or other and to a greater or lesser extent.”- Sigmund Freud We also loved the idea of a piece of theatre that subverts the notion of what is “normal”: a story that challenges society’s definitions of what “the norm” is, and questions why we should aspire to it. With the pressures of modern living, we are all (as individuals, as families, as a community) doing what we can to get by, to survive the madness of our day-to-day existence without falling apart (too much), and ultimately try to lead some kind of life that has meaning, purpose, passion and hope - words that each person has the right to define on his or her own terms. “The norm” be damned.

piece, and describe its cathartic effect. One such person was David Stone, who offered to produce the musical after seeing an early rough version at a showcase in 2005. Regarding the lead character of Diana, he said: “It spoke to me about being in a household where one person sucked all the attention.” Fortunately, we have been extremely blessed in that, in our experience of putting together this production of Next To Normal, there has not been one single person in the team who has “sucked all the attention” – we have enjoyed a totally collaborative process, with each and every member of the team giving 1000% of themselves with so much positivity and love: our cast made up of Sally Ann, Julia, Nathan, Linden, Juan – you are all wonderful beyond words; the one and only Joel and the incredible Next To Normal orchestra - we are not worthy; our brilliant creative team of Phil, James, Jeff, Amanda, George; Amazing Grace & the entire Production team together with the mighty Victoria & her Stage Management gang for holding the show together; and the kick-ass Pangdemonium family. Thank you all for not being afraid of not being normal, because you all are abnormally AMAZING! To the friends we have made in the course of our research: from doctors and counselors, to mental health experts, to the brave individuals who live with Bipolar Disorder – we are very humbled and grateful to you for sharing a bit of your lives with us. And many thanks to our fantastic sponsors, without whom we could not have gotten this show past the starting blocks: our lovely Corporate Sponsor Ascendas, our fab Production Sponsors Bon Café and Raymond Weil, and all our Official Production Supporters. Thanks for believing in Next to Normal when others didn’t. THANK YOU, our dear audience for supporting this production – we are truly grateful. It’s been a challenging year, but with your continued support, Pangdemonium will keep fighting to survive all the shit that is thrown our way, and keep doing the work we do, as best as we can. Brian Yorkey knew that the story he was destined to tell in Next To Normal would not be an easy one. “But,” he said of the brave characters he created. “They find some way to survive.” Perhaps all this is summed up best by author Ilona Andrews:

“The only people who can be normal are the ones unaffected by all the fucked-up shit that happens around them.” So here’s to being anything but “normal” – whatever that means. Lots of love,

There is also the fact that this musical strives not merely to entertain, but to also illuminate and de-stigmatize a social issue in a non-didactic way – that made it right up Pangdemonium’s street. Mental health is an issue that impacts upon our society in numerous ways, and our hope is that this musical will be able in some small way to create more awareness and understanding about mental health in our community. Tom Kitt insists that Next To Normal “is not autobiographical in any way,” but acknowledges that every family has difficulties that affect its members in different ways. Theatregoers have contacted them after the show to praise the truthfulness of the

P.S. Next to Normal is dedicated to Ria

I’m so happy Cause today I found my friends They’re in my head, I’m so ugly But that’s ok. ‘Cause so are you. We’ve broke our mirrors. Sunday morning is everyday for all I care. And I’m not scared. Light my candles. In a daze cause I’ve found god.

These lyrics are from the song Lithium, by 90’s grunge band Nirvana, written by lead singer Kurt Cobain. The song seems to be an ode to the most popular medication for Bipolar Disorder. Though there is no evidence that Cobain was on the drug, by the time he took his own life at the age of 27, he was obviously severely Bipolar. Other bipolar “blessed/cursed” artists include Amy Winehouse, erstwhile Guns N’ Roses frontman Axl Rose, actresses Catherine Zeta-Jones and Carrie Fisher, actors Stephen Fry (see “Only The Lonely” at www.stephenfry.com) and Russell Brand, and Frank Sinatra, who once confessed: “Being an 18-karat manic depressive, and having lived a life of violent emotional contradictions, I have an over-acute capacity for sadness as well as elation.” Personal testimonies from public figures like these have gone some way in dispelling myths and misconceptions of Bipolar Disorder. But there is a long way to go in educating the public, combating ignorance, and curing prejudices against the condition.

So, what is Bipolar Disorder? It would be useless to try to delve deep into the subject here, so we will merely skim the surface. Bipolar disorder (historically known as manic depression) is a psychiatric diagnosis for a mood disorder. Individuals with bipolar disorder experience episodes of a frenzied state known as mania (or hypomania), typically alternating with episodes of depression. At the lower levels of mania (hypomania), individuals appear energetic and excitable and may in fact be highly productive. At a higher level, individuals begin to behave erratically and impulsively, often making poor decisions due to unrealistic ideas about the future, and may have great difficulty with sleep. At the highest level, known as psychosis, individuals can experience distorted beliefs about the world and have a tenuous grip on reality, manifesting in behaviour from paranoia to promiscuity. Manic and depressive episodes typically last from a few days to several months and can be interspersed by periods of “normal” mood. Current research suggests that about 4% of people experience some of the characteristic symptoms at some point in their life. Prevalence is similar in men and women and, broadly, across different cultures and ethnic groups. Bipolar Disorder is often treated with mood stabilizing medications and psychotherapy.

In serious cases, in which there is a risk of harm to oneself or others, involuntary commitment may be used.

Cause and Effect

Genetic - Findings point strongly to heterogeneity, with different genes being implicated in different families. Individual genes are likely to have only a small effect and to be involved in some aspect related to the disorder (and a broad range of “normal” human behavior) rather than the disorder per se. Physiological – MRI studies on bipolar patients and healthy control subjects have revealed differences in the volume of various brain regions. There is evidence that abnormal modulation between ventral prefrontal and limbic regions can contribute to poor emotional regulation and mood symptoms. Environmental - There is evidence that individual psycho-social variables may interact with genetic dispositions, and recent life events and interpersonal relationships contribute to the likelihood of bipolar mood episodes. Neurological - Less commonly, bipolar-like disorders have been known to develop as a result of, or in association with a neurological condition or injury.

Sex, Drugs & Rock ‘n’ Roll

Medications to treat bipolar disorder are known as mood stabilizers; these work by reversing manic or depressive episodes and preventing relapses. Some medications may have certain side effects: patients have reported a lower sex drive, “numbing” of overall emotions, and even a reduced appreciation of simple things like music. The “gold standard” mood stabilizer is lithium, used to treat acute manic episodes, and preventing relapses, more so for manic than for depressive episodes. Lithium helps to keep the individual’s extreme mood swings and behaviours in check, and has been strongly linked to a reduced risk of suicide and self-harm. In some extreme cases, in particular where the sufferer is suicidal, Electroconvulsive Therapy (ECT) is resorted to, whereby seizures are electrically induced in the anaesthetized patient for therapeutic effect. According to the Institute of Mental Health, the procedure has an 80% success rate. Until recently, exactly how and why ECT works was a mystery; but in a paper published by the University of Aberdeen Scotland in the journal Proceedings of The National Academy Of Sciences, ECT appears to “turn down” an overactive connection between areas of the brain that control mood and areas responsible for thinking and concentrating. There are, however, after-effects like memory loss and reduced general cognition - which are examined in the rock musical Next To Normal.

Tip of the Bipolar Iceberg As we said earlier, this is merely a beginner’s introduction to Bipolar Disorder. The study of the condition carries on, experiments continue to be conducted, and new treatments are being researched all the time. In the meantime, perhaps the next best “medicine” that people with Bipolar Disorder can be given is some understanding, regular doses of compassion, and a lifetime’s supply of unconditional love.

The Young and the Restless: Mental Health & Youth in Singapore The recent Singapore Mental Health Study, conducted by Dr Chong Siow Ann and his colleagues at the Institute of Mental Health (IMH), revealed that an alarming number of people with mental health issues in Singapore have never sought help – this is known as the treatment gap. Up to 60% of Singaporeans with major depression for example, do not seek professional help. When mental illnesses remain untreated, complications can develop and sufferers become less responsive to any subsequent treatments. There exists a view that in a “passive-aggressively Asian” society like Singapore, there is a tendency to focus on physical and material features than on emotional or psychological ones, leading to a remissive attitude about seeking help for mental illness. The common approach is not to make a mountain out of a molehill, perhaps stemming from the typically Asian fear of discrimination and social stigma. Which, in particular, puts our Singapore youth in jeopardy – 1 in 7 young people fall prey to mental illnesses as a result of pressure to live up to societal and family expectations of “success” and “normalcy”. When mental illness is untreated from an early age, this can result in school failure, teenage pregnancy, unemployment, spousal violence, substance abuse and poor quality of life. The Singapore Mental Health Study found that youths aged 18 to 29 are 1.5 times more likely to suffer mental illness than someone over 30, and youths in Singapore show symptoms of mental conditions like depression at a much earlier age (26) than in countries like the US, Germany and New Zealand (30). Late adolescence and early adulthood are crucial periods where young people have to make important life decisions. In a society like Singapore, where emphasis is placed on excellence and meritocracy, people are rewarded based on material achievements, and there is constant concern about opinions of peers and family, much more so than in Western cultures. Associate Professor Daniel Fung, chairman of the medical board at the IMH, says: “When (youths) do not meet the expectations of important people in their lives, they become stressed and, over time, may develop symptoms of anxiety and depression.” And in the case of Bipolar Disorder in Singapore, a young person’s risk of the condition is 3.3 times higher than most aged 30 years and above; and most youths endured an average of nine years with the condition before seeking treatment. This has serious implications on our society, as the illness can affect the ability to make friends, find a partner or a job, and the ability to contribute to society. According to a 2004 Health Ministry report, mental illness imposes the greatest burden on society, more than any other illness affecting people ages 15 to 44. As part of Singapore’s National Mental Health Blueprint and Policy, early detection systems for mental illnesses are being implemented in the community and hospitals. Training in

recognition and management of mental disorders is being provided to care givers and grassroots organizations. And recently more general practitioners are being trained to treat people with mental illnesses. In targeting our youth, our Government is funding youth programmes by the IMH, such as the Response, Early Intervention and Assessment in Community Mental Health and Community Health Assessment Team. Dr Chong says that schools are important settings for mental health promotion and implementing preventive measures. Individuals with a family history of mental illness are up to 5 times more predisposed to “inheriting” the illness, says Dr Joseph Leong, consultant psychiatrist at the IMH, and it becomes incumbent on fellow family members to be vigilant about telltale signs, and encouraging seeking of early treatment. Parents tend to “normalize” symptoms of mental illness as part of the turbulence of adolescent angst, but they need to be educated to recognize and acknowledge the symptoms when they see them. But, says Dr Chong, for the average Singaporean, the best way to reduce the treatment gap is vigilance – if you think a family member is unwell mentally, speak to someone who has experience in mental health like your family doctor or a mental health care professional. And the first and most significant hurdle to cross is to overcome reluctance to seek help, which more than likely stems from a fear of stigma, and of not wanting to appear “not normal”. WHERE TO GET HELP Community Health Assessment Team (CHAT) - a drop-in centre run by IMH’s youth-oriented arm, providing counseling for mental health issues for youth between 16 and 30 years old. www.youthinmind.sg Support for Wellness Achievement Programme (SWAP) – where participants aged 16 to 30 learn what it means to be at risk of psychosis so that they can be monitored for mental health symptoms. www.swap.org.sg Silver Ribbon – which combats mental health stigma, encourages early treatment and facilitates integration of people with mental illness within the society through innovative means of promoting mental health literacy. http://www.silverribbonsingapore.com Over The Rainbow – which aims to propel youth mental wellness to the top of life’s priorities by empowering youths with practical hands-on wellness strategies. www.overtherainbow.sg The Singapore Association for Mental Health - established to promote mental wellness and to empower people with mental illness in rebuilding their lives. www.samhealth.org.sg

“ saved my life…” As part of Pangdemonium’s preparation for our production of NEXT TO NORMAL, we have had the privilege of getting to know a number of individuals who live with Bipolar Disorder. Below are excerpts from our conversations with Mahita, Min and Kenny…

MAHITA: My sister said: “You might have what daddy had.” I look back and, yes, my dad was very ill.

CAN YOU GIVE US AN IDEA OF YOUR PERSONAL HISTORY OF LIVING WITH BIPOLAR DISORDER?

KENNY: I have a history of self-harm and suicidal thoughts. Once when I wanted to kill myself I was on the phone to the Samaritans of Singapore for an hour and a half.

MIN (33, Youth Development worker): I had always been a high achiever: good grades, sporty, quite an all rounder. That’s why it’s hard for people to understand. For me, it was more hypomania: boundless energy, I can’t stop talking, can’t sleep for days, impatient, irritable. But most of the years, I led a “normal” and fulfilling life. KENNY (19, National Serviceman): When I was 10, I started believing I was being watched by the CID for gun running, that they would break in through the rubbish chute to come get me. For a 10 year-old it was very terrifying. This was followed by a year and a half of “normality”, and then in Sec 3 the depression started, which is much more debilitating. MAHITA (49, homemaker): During my teens, I always had songs in my head, which I sang to myself to suit my moods. Memorizing lyrics were more important to me than science formulas. When I started work as an airline stewardess, I was very good at my job because I would keep walking up and down the aisle offering drinks when I didn’t have to. People thought I was crazy, but it was beyond my control. KENNY: When I’m manic I would find myself doing things I knew I shouldn’t be doing until it was too late. One day found myself naked on an abandoned road and I can’t explain why. I don’t have the attention span needed to plan anything, if it feels good I just do it. I feel high, alive, very creative - that’s why I write plays. The downside is the uncontrollable temper. In JC One I pulled a knife on my teacher. MAHITA: What many saw in me was this person with amazing energy. In my job in advertising I often delivered more than expected. The advertising industry is believed to attract “cuckoo” people anyway, so my “insanity” was not unusual. The fact is I WAS insane. I remember at a food court in Paris, a Vietnamese lady at a stall was very rude to me. She said “What you want?!” and I replied, screaming: “What I want is for you to get on a boat and go home and I hope the boat sinks and sharks eat you!” I couldn’t see it coming. IS THERE ANY TRACE OF THE CONDITION IN YOUR FAMILY? KENNY: My dad has a history of terrible temper and impulse control. It’s freakishly similarly to what I have. Dad has a “manly job”, so when he’s angry he just blows up and he thinks it’s OK. But because of it, he’s been job-hopping for a while.

MIN: On my dad’s side, 2 relatives have committed suicide. So there is that genetic element to it. HAS YOUR CONDITION MADE YOU DO ANYTHING TO HARM YOURSELF?

MIN: At 14, I found out the person I was dating had been cheating on me, so I tried to kill myself; then when I was 18, I became depressed and tried to kill myself by swallowing pills. Both instances are very extreme and sudden reactions to quite commonplace situations. I have since learned to manage my stress better to make sure it does not reach that point. It is possible. MAHITA: Killing myself had been a recurring theme in my head for a long time, never triggered by anything. One day while house hunting, I suddenly just wanted to jump from an apartment window. I knew I had walk away. I called my doctor, and was told I needed ECT, or electro-shock therapy. The ECT helped stabilize me and take away those suicidal thoughts, but I felt like a zombie for two weeks and it really messed with my short-term memory. WHAT MADE YOU SEEK HELP FOR YOUR CONDITION? MIN: 5 years ago, I was on my own in the US, working long hours, I was exhausted. One day just didn’t go to work for 3 days, just didn’t leave the house, and I didn’t give a crap if the sky fell down, total meltdown. I just felt empty, lack of emotion. I realized that something was very wrong with me, so after that I read up and realized I tick all the boxes for cyclothymia (a mild form of Bipolar Disorder) and a doctor confirmed it. I went through a really bad patch after I was diagnosed. Embarrassment, shame, guilt and extreme side effects to medication. MAHITA: 8 years ago when I was working in advertising, I unleashed a huge public tirade at a colleague. I screamed at her: “Are you retarded?!” I decided to seek specialist help, and was diagnosed with Bipolar Disorder. I struggled with the knowledge for 5 years. I was so ashamed because of the stigma, and others’ opinion of me, especially people I care about. I only came to terms with it 2 years ago. KENNY: In July 2011 I went to see the doctor for what I thought was speech problems because I felt that people didn’t like being around me because of it. I was told there was nothing wrong with my speech, but that I was getting stressed out when talking with people. I was referred to a psychiatrist for anxiety and panic attacks. At my first consultation I was in a manic state, and talked for 3 hours, laughing and crying, til they had to stop me. At the end I was told I have Bipolar Disorder.

WHAT HAS YOUR MEDICATION DONE TO TREAT YOUR BIPOLAR DISORDER? MAHITA: On my medication, I’m stable and I can work. I may not have the same manic energy as before, but I can still function perfectly and rationalize and analyze. Since my medication, I can usually see when “it” is coming and walk away before it happens. KENNY: And as long as I’m more or less stable and not endangering others, my doctor will let me “fluctuate” a bit. I wouldn’t want to be medicated until I can’t feel anything. Now I’m more or less stable. I am able to fall to sleep at night, with no panic attacks, which is a big deal. MIN: Medication helps me function on the level that I want. I know it works for me. Medication, educating myself about stress management techniques, educating myself about the illness, counseling when needed and increasing selfawareness is good combination. But I do miss the sides of myself that were creative. I miss the highs because I always saw that as part of “Me”, being a creative person, and I loved that side of me, my freedom of expression. And to lose that part of me, to say that’s not part of me anymore, I miss that. Where’s the balance, what’s “normal”, what’s not? Now I have rediscovered my creativity in other forms and explore it in a stable productive way. MAHITA: The temptation to go off medication is very strong, because I miss feeling that high - it’s a good feeling, you know you ARE special. But I’m now too scared to go off the scales, and I’d rather be stable. My husband doesn’t need to deal with insanity anymore, he had to do so for so long. I have accepted it now, because there are 2 choices: be in denial and let it destroy my life and those of others around me, or take the bull by the horns and do something about it. DID YOU HAVE ANY INITIAL SIDE EFFECTS TO YOUR MEDICATION? MAHITA: The pills really messed me up at first, I felt more suicidal. An anti psychotic combines with chemicals in the brain, so it takes time to get it right because everyone is different. MIN: I lost hair, became fidgety, there was puking, glazed eyes, insomnia, I looked like a drug addict, I just “wasn’t in my body anymore”. Initially, the “survivor” part of me was just pushing me along. Finding the right dosage and kind of medication can take quite a while. KENNY: Immediately after medication, I had a big crash, because it was a tranquilizer. It affected my concentration, I couldn’t stay awake, I had drastic weight gain. Eventually I got used to it. WHAT DOES THE MUSICAL NEXT TO NORMAL MEAN TO YOU? MIN: The doctor in Next To Normal takes ages to get prescription right for Diana, and finally gets it “right” when Diana feels nothing. I can relate to that because in a way, I think feeling those highs and even the lows is better than feeling nothing. Is that a real life? MAHITA: For me, it was hard to write my book Praying to the Goddess of Mercy because it is a very private family matter. But I want it to help others, and so you doing Next To Normal

to help others is such a great thing. It’s so special because it’s about so much more than mental illness, it’s about family, community, hope, empowerment, love. KENNY: I was once sitting in the doctor’s waiting room, feeling very agitated. I started listening to the Next To Normal soundtrack and it kept me from doing something stupid. This music calmed me down and got me into the doctor’s office, otherwise I would have walked away. I have listened to the soundtrack numerous times, the songs are exactly what I’m going through. It’s sounds a bit dramatic to say this, but Next to Normal saved my life. WHERE ARE YOU IN YOUR LIFE NOW? KENNY: I have a “mood chart” to help me keep within a band. My medication has allowed me to have a life and to function, and to sustain meaningful relationships. Medication helps me manage my emotions to a point where I can sustain my concentration so I can finish a project, get along with people - things other people take for granted. MAHITA: I have wondered which is the real “Me”. My doctor says the real me is the one who is not medicated because whatever I have is in my nature, so when I explode I don’t need to, it’s ME, the one who isn’t in control. But that me is not “normal” like everybody else, so medication is to help me be more stable. Do I want to be ME and be unstable, or be stable and get used to the new me? I chose the latter. MIN: I took time to evaluate my life. I love my freedom, and having to rely on medication for the rest of my life was a big decision. Within societal norms a mentally ill person is treated like a non human, and at some point you start to believe that you deserve less, all those hopes and dreams, I can never have, and that was the most difficult part. Not the illness itself. I know I will never be the same person again. I also know that my life is much better now because my Bipolar Disorder is part of me, but it is not all of me. WHAT DO YOU HOPE THE PUBLIC WILL LEARN ABOUT MENTAL ILLNESS? KENNY: Society’s stigma towards mental illness is disgusting. Some people think it can be overcome by willpower alone, while others think that the mentally ill are a burden to society, and neither view is helpful. We need to change people’s views on mental illness. MAHITA: People need to look out for one another, if you see someone you know showing signs, please encourage the person to seek help. When my sister said to me there might be something wrong, I just thought she’d been living in the States for too long, where everyone seems to be crazy and is seeing a therapist! But the fact is people need to be educated and enlightened and be honest enough to identify it. MIN: Mental health affects everyone from all walks of life. People need to find out more about mental illness. We have to get rid of stigma, ignorance, prejudice and fear, because people are really suffering. Everyone deserves dignity no matter what circumstances they have. I started https://www. facebook.com/SingaporeBipolarBear to increase awareness of this illness. It comes in various shapes and forms, everyone’s situation is unique and should be seen as individuals. Please seek professional assistance if you think you or someone is experiencing some of the symptoms. It might just save lives.

Act I Prelude .......................................................................... Orchestra Just Another Day .......................................................... Diana, Natalie, Gabe, Dan Everything Else ............................................................. Natalie Who’s Crazy / My Psychopharmacologist and I ........... Dan, Doctor Fine, Diana Perfect for You .............................................................. Henry, Natalie I Miss the Mountains ..................................................... Diana It’s Gonna Be Good ....................................................... Dan, Natalie, Henry He’s Not Here ............................................................... Dan You Don’t Know ............................................................ Diana I Am the One ................................................................. Dan, Gabe, Diana Superboy and the Invisible Girl .................................... Natalie, Diana, Gabe I’m Alive ........................................................................ Gabe Make Up Your Mind / Catch Me I’m Falling Doctor Madden, Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe I Dreamed a Dance ....................................................... Diana, Gabe There’s a World ............................................................. Gabe I’ve Been ....................................................................... Dan Didn’t I See This Movie? ............................................... Diana A Light in the Dark ........................................................ Dan, Diana

Act II Wish I Were Here .......................................................... Diana, Natalie Song of Forgetting ....................................................... Dan, Diana, Natalie Hey #1 ........................................................................... Henry, Natalie Seconds and Years ........................................................ Doctor Madden, Dan, Diana Better Than Before ....................................................... Doctor Madden, Dan, Natalie, Diana Aftershocks ................................................................... Gabe Hey #2 ........................................................................... Henry, Natalie You Don’t Know (Reprise) ............................................. Diana, Doctor Madden How Could I Ever Forget? ............................................ Diana, Dan It’s Gonna Be Good (Reprise) ....................................... Dan, Diana Why Stay? / A Promise ................................................. Diana, Natalie, Dan, Henry I’m Alive (Reprise) ......................................................... Gabe The Break ...................................................................... Diana Make Up Your Mind / Catch Me I’m Falling (Reprise) .. Doctor Madden, Diana, Gabe Maybe (Next to Normal) ............................................... Diana, Natalie Hey #3 / Perfect for You (Reprise) ................................ Henry, Natalie So Anyway ..................................................................... Diana

I Am the One (Reprise) ......................................................... Dan, Gabe Light ...................................................................................... Diana, Dan, Natalie, Gabe, Henry, Doctor Madden

CAST Sally Ann Triplett Adrian Pang Julia Abueva Nathan Hartono Juan Jackson Linden Furnell

Diana Dan Natalie Gabe Dr. Fine / Dr. Madden Henry

BAND Rizal Sanip Daniel Chai Brandon Wong Han Oh Kelle Tan Joel Nah

Drums & Percussions Guitars Bass Violin Cello Piano & Keyboards

CREATIVE TEAM Tom Kitt Brian Yorkey Tracie Pang Adrian Pang Philip Engleheart James Tan Jeffrey Yue Joel Nah George Chan Amanda Colliver Haslina Ismail

Composer Book & Lyrics Producer/Director Producer Production Designer Lighting Designer Sound Designer Musical Director Choreographer Vocal Coach Hair & Makeup Artist

PRODUCTION TEAM Grace Low Marc Andre Therrien Victoria Lim Carolene Liew Keira Lee Ian Tan Yvette Ng Sophia Foo Allyson Bong Candy Foo Low Wee Cheng Lee Kong Shen Don Guo Fazlin Aziz (Lee) Karmila Hossain Nureen Raidah Shawn Bryan Danker Kevin Lee

Production Manager Technical Manager Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Assistant Stage Manager Master Electrician Costume Coordinator Co-Wardrobe Manager Co-Wardrobe Manager Dresser Lighting Programmer Followspot Operator Followspot Operator Sound Operator Radio Mic Operator Stage Crew Rehearsal Photographer Rehearsal Photographer

PANGDEMONIUM TEAM Katerina Tiapula Crispian Chan Debbie Andrade Catherine Andrade Leticia Wong Liane Seow

Marketing/Finance Manager Graphic Designer/IT Ticketing/Sales Manager Sales & Marketing Assistant Sales & Marketing Assistant Sales & Marketing Assistant

ridiculous. But musicals that go right can be sublime.” He is currently writing the original musical, SCORE!, with Robert Downey Jr. attached to star, He is also working with English singing legend Sting on a piece of musical theatre based on Sting’s seminal masterpiece “The Soul Cages” Page text.

Tracie Pang - Director

Tom Kitt - Composer Kitt won the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award, Outstanding New Score, and was nominated for the Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Music; and Tony Awards for Best Original Score Written for the Theatre and Best Orchestrations, all for his rock score to Next to Normal. Kitt received the 2009 Frederick Loewe Award for Dramatic Composition for Next to Normal from the Dramatists Guild of America. He also shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama with Brian Yorkey for Next to Normal. The Pulitzer Board called it “a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals.” Kitt has also been a music director and conductor on Broadway since 2002, beginning with the musical Debbie Does Dallas: The Musical. Kitt composed the music for the musical High Fidelity and the play From Up Here. He was the music supervisor, orchestrator and music arranger for the musical American Idiot, which opened on Broadway in March 2010. He composed the score for the Public Theater Shakespeare in the Park (New York City) production of The Winter’s Tale, which ran in July 2010. His new musical, Bring It On, is a musical adaption of the film. He is working with Brian Yorkey on a new musical called If/ Then, scheduled to open on Broadway in Spring 2014. He is the founder of The Tom Kitt Band, in which he plays piano.

Brian Yorkey – Book & Lyrics Yorkey is an American playwright, lyricist, and theatre director. He shared the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and the 2009 Tony Award for Best Original Score with composer Tom Kitt, and was nominated for the Tony Award for Best Book of a Musical for Next to Normal. Prior to bringing Next to Normal to Broadway, Yorkey was affiliated with Village Theatre, where he began as a KidStage student and eventually progressed to a six-year tenure as associate artistic director. Five musicals written by Yorkey - Funny Pages (1993), Making Tracks (2002), The Wedding Banquet (2003), Play it by Heart (2005), and A Perfect Fall (2007) - were staged there. Next to Normal began as a ten-minute-long piece called Feeling Electric recent college graduates Yorkey and Kitt wrote as a final project for the BMI Musical Theatre Workshop at the end of the 1990s. Their inspiration was a segment about electroconvulsive therapy Yorkey saw on Dateline NBC. Yorkey has observed it’s “exponentially harder to write an original musical. Musicals that go wrong can be ridiculous because it’s a ridiculous art form. People bursting into song can be

After her theatre training at Croydon College, London, Tracie then clocked up 25 years working in producing houses and touring shows throughout the UK and Asia. This period includes work with Quicksilver Theatre Company, Johnny Ball Productions, Mu-Lan Theatre Company, Pimlico Opera, Theatre Royal Stratford East, Surrey Opera, and Theatreworks. Tracie helped to set up and establish The Little Company, a theatre company that provides quality plays for children aged 3 –14, for whom she has written and directed numerous productions, including The Sound Collector, When I Grow Up, It’s A Hot Christmas, Grandma’s Journey, Little Victories, The Ugly Duckling (2006/7) and The Gingerbread Man. She directed Members Only for SingTheatre and her work for the Singapore Repertory Theatre includes Boom, Defending The Caveman, The Office Party, and at the ST Life! Awards she has been nominated five times for the Best Director Award for The Dresser, The Snow Queen, The Pillowman, The Full Monty and Dealers Choice. In 2009 Tracie founded Pangdemonium Productions with her husband Adrian, and went on to direct The Full Monty,(nominated for 6 ST Life theatre awards) Closer, Dealers Choice (nominated for 6 ST Life Theatre awards), Spring Awakening, Swimming with Sharks, and Rabbit Hole.

Philip Engleheart - Production Designer Philip has worked with a wide variety of forms from puppetry to opera, musicals to circus, devised theatre, new writing and old classics. For Pangdemonium he designed the inaugural production of The Full Monty and recently Rabbit Hole. No stranger to Singapore, he also made The Office Party; Betrayal and Art among many others for SRT and their Little Company. He has just finished West Side Story for Pimlico Opera in conjunction with Her Majesty’s Prison Service in the UK, which saw an integrated cast of inmates and professionals rehearse for six weeks and perform to the public for a two week run, complete with a seventeen piece orchestra, in a studio theatre installed within the Prison Sports Hall. He designed the first version of Blue Stockings at the RADA, London, written and directed by Jessica Swale, the script of which is currently premiering at Shakespeare’s Globe. Other work includes the world premiere of One Turbulent Ambassador concerning the UK government in Uzbekistan; Cabaret at Wilton’s Music Hall; Much Ado About Nothing at the Shakespeare Festival in Neuss, Germany; The Desire Tree, an Anglo-Georgian production, Tbilisi; and Brecht’s A Respectable Wedding for the Edinburgh Fringe Festival.

James Tan - Lighting Designer Recipient of The Allen Lee Hughes Lighting Design Fellowship, United States Institute for Theatre Technology (USITT) YD&T Lighting Design Award, USITT Commissioners Grant & International Association of Lighting Designers (IALD) Education Trust for IALD Enlighten Americas and National Arts Council Of Singapore Arts Professional Scholarship. Masters of Fine Arts in Lighting Design, University of California, San Diego. Selected USA Lighting Design Credits: Too Clever by Half, As You Like It, The Misanthrope, Camino Real & The Seagull. ALD for Madame Butterfly (San Diego Opera), Sammy (The Old Globe), Restoration & Little Miss Sunshine (La Jolla Playhouse), Ah! Wilderness & The Normal Heart (Arena Stage, The Mead Center For American Theater). Recent Singapore Lighting Design Credits: Rabbit Hole (Pangdemonium), 8 Women (Sing’Theatre), The Sleeping Beauty (Singapore Dance Theatre), Eat a Bitter Bloom (Arts Fission), The Last Temptation Of Stamford Raffles (Wild Rice), Attempts On Her Life (Theatre Training & Research Programme) & Esplanade Dains Festival with Wade Robson (Esplanade, Theatres On The Bay). Museum Architectural Lighting Design: The Art of the Brick® Exhibition by Nathan Sawaya (MBS ArtScience Museum). International & Regional Tour: Relatively Speaking (The British Theatre Playhouse) & God Of Carnage (Singapore Repertory Theatre).

Jeffrey Yue - Sound Designer Jeffrey was awarded the Glaxo-Wellcome/EDB scholarship to pursue a degree in technical theatre at the prestigious Guildhall School of Music and Drama in London. Upon graduation, he returned as Sound Coordinator for the Esplanade, Theatres on the Bay, Singapore. With his focus on theatrical sound design, production engineering and programming, Jeffrey has worked extensively in Singapore, UK and other parts of the world with a wide range of work within his repertoire. Recent notable

sound design works include La Cage aux Folles, Esplanade Lyric Theatre; Mimoid II – projection mapping on Singapore Art Museum Façade as part of Night Light 2012; Cloud of Unknowing and Songs of Brokenhearted Tiger with acclaimed visual artist – Ho Tzu Nyen; Voyage de La Vie and Incanto at the Festive Grand, Resorts World Sentosa; the biggest show in town – NDP 2009. Jeffrey travels extensively for projects as designer, production sound engineer and audio / show control programmer and is no stranger to the demands of touring sound production. Jeffrey has also participated in several international festivals including World Theatre Festival, SPAC, Shizuoka, Japan; Mam Project, Mori Art Museum, Tokyo, Japan; Sundance Film Festival, Utah, USA; forum international de dança, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; iDANs, Istanbul, Turkey; Teater de Welt, Mulheim, Germany. Jeffrey is one of the founding directors of Ctrl Fre@k Pte, Ltd., a show design company which specialises in creative and system design for performing arts, themed entertainment, arts installations, venues and festivals.

Joel Nah - Musical Director Joel is a multifaceted musician, arranger, music director and producer. He studied classical piano under the late virtuoso pianist Ong Lip Tat, and took jazz masterclasses with jazz icon Jeremy Monteiro. A Computing graduate from the National University of Singapore, he also obtained his Licentiate Diploma (LRSM) in Piano, and a Master Certificate in Arranging and Orchestration, with Berklee College of Music’s Online School. Selected Singapore production credits include: Pangdemonium’s Spring Awakening (2012) and The Full Monty (2010), Glass Anatomy (2013), W!LD RICE’s Hansel & Gretel (2012) and Aladdin (2011) pantomimes, National Broadway Company (2012), La Cage Aux Folles (2012), Into The Woods (2011), December Rains (2010), Victor/Victoria (2009), Dim Sum Dollies: The History of Singapore (2007-08), Beauty World (2008), Little Shop of Horrors (2006), Forbidden City – Portrait Of An Empress (2006). Joel was the Music Director/Arranger in Edges (2013), I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change (2011), and Dream Academy’s Crazy Christmas (2010 & 2008), Broadway Beng: Jiak Liu Lian! (2009) and Company (2012). He was deputy keyboardist in several touring Broadway productions: Phantom of the Opera (2013), WICKED (2011-12), The Lion King (2011). Joel also helmed the keyboards in JJ Lin’s 2009 World Tour stopover in Singapore. Apart from his theatre stage work, Joel arranged and produced the music for Mediacorp Channel 5’s Sing-A-Nation television program, and provided several orchestral arrangements for events such as the People’s Association’s Soundwaves (2009), Youth Olympic Games (2010), and Child-Aid (2008-9), amongst others. Joel is also an adjunct member of the music faculty in The School Of The Arts (SOTA). Joel would like to dedicate his part in Next To Normal to the memory of his late piano teacher, who suffered, and conquered, depression, and continues to inspire his students even after his death this year.

George Chan - Choreographer George Chan has developed his career in both the Singapore and European Arts scene. Celebrity Judge, Artistic Director, Dance Choreographer, Singer and Actor. These are some of the many hats he wears.

George spent seven years in the European Musical Theatre scene performing in over 2,000 shows during his stay. Highlights include: Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schonberg’s production of Miss Saigon, the original Netherlands cast of Bob Fosse’s Chicago, Robert Stigwood’s production of the Bee Gee’s hit musical Saturday Night Fever, There’s No Business Like Show Business (touring as a vocal soloist) and the award winning European premiere of Tim Rice and Elton John’s Aida. George also recorded the cast album for the forementioned shows and has had the honor of learning from great talents such as Ann Reinking, Donald Johnston and Wayne Cilento. Recent work includes: Artistic director for Ocean Butterfly’s 25th Anniversary Concert, Associate Director and Choreographer for Lao Jiu The Musical, Choreographer for Dream World Productions’ Company, Director for The Hossan Leong Show 4 and Director and Choreographer for the sold out production of Kumar’s What Makes A Man A Man at the Esplanade Theatre. His upcoming work includes directing and choreography for Sing’Theatre’s musical revue A French Kiss In Singapore and co-directing Dream Academy’s year end show Crazy Christmas.

Amanda Colliver - Vocal Coach Amanda began her career as a singer/songwriter, actress, and recording artist, and after graduating from the Victorian College of Arts Opera studio in 1986 went on to enjoy a 23 year solo career with all the major Opera Companies and Symphony Orchestras in Australia. Also an innovative and wholistic vocal teacher, the past 33 years have seen her using her skill and knowledge to train film stars like Hugh Jackman, Nicole Kidman and Ewan McGregor for Beauty and the Beast and Moulin Rouge, and to prepare numerous musical theatre stars and recording artists for a variety of roles on the international stage. After leaving the operatic stage to concentrate on songwriting and the release of her own original album, Amanda took up the position of full time vocal coach for the Musical Theatre course at LASALLE College of the Arts Singapore. She has since established herself with all the major theatre companies in Singapore, Malaysia, Indonesia, Korea and Thailand. The release of her first book Can Anybody Sing? - Getting The Best Out Of The Voice You Have, has added ‘published author’ to her credentials. In September 2013 she is excited to be relocating back to Melbourne to open Akasha Voice Studio.

Victoria Lim - Stage Manager Victoria is thrilled to be working with friends old and new at Pangdemonium. Theatre credits with Pangdemonium include: Rabbit Hole, Spring Awakening, Swimming with Sharks, Dealer’s Choice, Closer, The Full Monty. Theatre credits also include: With Singapore Repertory Theatre – Fantastic Mr. Fox, Shakespeare in the Park: Twelfth Night, Shakespeare in the Park: Macbeth, Pinocchio: The Musical, Blackbird, Upstairs in the Sky, Bear and Chicken Get Ready For School, The Jungle Book, Defending The Caveman, The Crucible, The Boy Who Cried Wolf, Shakespeare in the Park: Much Ado About Nothing, The Office Party, The Write-Stuff, Bear and Chicken Go Camping, Shakespeare in the Park: A Midsummer’s Night’s Dream, The Gingerbread Man. With Dream Academy - Into The Woods. With Sight Lines Entertainment – BOOM. With SEKALIWAGS + Word Forward – Lit-Up 2013:

She Walks Like A Free Country, A Spoken Word Collaboration. Victoria would like to thank her amazingly resourceful and never-tiring Assistant Stage Managers – Carolene Liew and Keira Lee, as well as the N2N Production Team, the Pangdemonium family, Grace Low, and Gmail.

Julia Abueva - Natalie

Sally Ann Triplett - Diane Sally’s first West End appearance was in The Best Little Whorehouse In Texas at the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane. Subsequent West End productions include Margie and Young Phylis in Follies at the Shaftesbury, Chess at the Prince Edward Theatre, Rizzo in Grease at the Dominion Theatre and Ruby Keeler opposite Brian Conley in Jolson at the Victoria Palace Theatre and then Toronto, as Grizabella in Cats at the New London Theatre, Mrs Big in The Villain’s Opera at the Royal National Theatre and, more recently, as Reno Sweeney in Anything Goes at the Royal National Theatre and the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane, directed by Trevor Nunn, as Roxie Hart in Chicago at the Adelphi Theatre, as Miss Berta in Acorn Antiques - The Musical at the Theatre Royal, Haymarket and as Miss Adelaide in Guys & Dolls at the Picadilly Theatre. Sally Ann also appeared in the world premiere of Take Flight at The Menier Chocolate Factory, playing Amelia Earhart. Other stage appearances include Jubilee at Her Majesty’s, a Judy Garland tribute concert at the London Palladium, Jill Kemp in Mister Cinders at the King’s Head, Lady Evelyn in the workshop premiere of a new Stiles and Drewe musical Tutankhamun at Imagination, Lucy in Snoopy at the Watermill Newbury, Nancy in Oliver! at the Haymarket Theatre, Leicester and Rebecca Hershkowitz in Rags at the Bridewell Theatre. Repertory work includes Godspell (Kenneth More Theatre, Ilford), Grease (Belgrade Theatre, Coventry), the title role in Alice (West Yorkshire Playhouse), the Kola Kola Bird in Just So (Watermill Theatre, Newbury), and Sally Bowles in Cabaret (Crucible Theatre, Sheffield). On tour she has played Janet in The Rocky Horror Show and appeared as Sue in the RSC musical Carrie in Stratford Upon Avon and on Broadway. Sally Ann starred in Phil Wilmott’s production of Much Ado About Nothing at the Liverpool Empire, as the feisty Beatrice. She also appeared in the review Make Me A Song, based on the works of William Finn and as Marge in Absent Friends at the Watford Theatre. More recently Sal has appeared as Donna in Mamma Mia! at the Prince Edward Theatre, as Maria Merelli in Lend Me A Tenor at The Theatre Royal, Plymouth and Mistress Page in Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor at Stafford Castle. She has recently completed the West End run of Viva Forever. On television Sally Ann appeared in the award-winning short film The Fishing Trip and played one of the leading roles in Magic, a six-part drama series set in Hamburg. Her recent TV appearances include Doctors, Down to Earth and EastEnders, all for the BBC.

At 17, Julia has had almost ten years of experience. She has to her credit 11 musicals in Singapore and the Philippines, with her last notable performance as ‘Wendla’ in Pangdemonium’s production of Spring Awakening. Julia started performing at the tender age of 7 and has since traveled to perform in concerts in the Philippines, China, Indonesia and the US. Julia has also dabbled in film (voice for animated films) and TV (Okto’s Dream School Seasons 1 and 2). Noteworthy performances include opening for the 23rd and 25th South East Asian Games, 2009 APEC for U.S. President Barack Obama and guest performance with David Foster and Michael Bolton at the David Foster and Friends concert in Singapore. Julia was recognized in the Philippines as Best Child Performer in the 2007 ALIW Awards and was profiled in 2008 by Oprah Winfrey as one of the ‘World’s Most Talented Kids’. After Next To Normal, Julia will be playing Cinderella in Resorts World Manila’s production of Cinderella, opening in October 2013. Julia dreams of performing on Broadway and in the West End someday.

Linden Furnell - Henry From Sydney, Australia, 24 year old Linden Furnell moved to Singapore in 2009 and independently funded his way through a BA(Hons) in Musical Theatre, graduating with first class honours at LASALLE College of the Arts, Singapore. Since then, Linden has established himself as an accomplished singer, actor and dancer, as well as a multi-instrument wielding songwriter. Linden’s passion for performing sprung from his involvement (upon his mum’s insistence) with the Blue Mountains musical society. From the age of 14, Linden cut his stage teeth in community theatre and also rocked a multitude of NSW venues (Including the Sydney Opera House) with his indie rock trio, Olivine. Following graduation, Linden joined Wild Rice for La Cage Aux Folles at the Esplanade Theatre, SRT for a season of The Cat in the Hat, and in 2013 performed in the Singapore premiere of Edges. Linden has composed original music for Skinned Knee Productions and also the Octoburst Festival at the Esplanade, worked as a session vocalist extensively and plays guitar and mandolin for production bands, venues and events.

Adrian Pang - Dan Adrian’s UK theatre credits include Hair; A Midsummer Night’s Dream; The Comedy Of Errors; The Magic Fundoshi (Best Comedy at the London Fringe Theatre Awards); The Mens Womb; A Christmas Carol; Tormented; The Circles of Paradise; One For The Road; Sleeping Beauty; New Territories; Take Away and Privates On Parade. In Singapore he performed in SRT’s first Shakespeare In the Park production, in the title role of Hamlet, and also the title role of Macbeth. Other stage credits include They’re Playing Our Song; Little Shop Of Horrors; Into The Woods; The Glass Menagerie; Boeing Boeing; Forbidden City; Barefoot In The Park and God Of Carnage. At the Life! Theatre Awards Adrian earned Best Actor nominations for The Odd Couple, The Full Monty, Dealer’s Choice and The Pillowman, and was twice Best Actor Award Winner, for his work in The Dresser and Much Ado About Nothing. Adrian’s UK television work includes The Fragile Heart; Lovejoy; Arabian Nights; Happiness; Bugs; Call Red; Taggart; The Knock; Trauma and The Bill. His film work includes Spiralling; SpyGame; Nightwatch; Everybody Loves Sunshine; Peggy Su!; Night Swimmer; Yellow Fever; A Brief Walk; Offending Angels, Bait 3D and Second Generation. Adrian’s numerous TV appearances in Singapore include Ah Girl (Winner of Best Actor in a Comedy Series at the Asian Television Awards); Red Thread (Winner of Best Actor in a Drama Series at the Asian Television Awards); The Pupil (Seasons 1 & 2); Parental Guidance; The Kitchen Musical and the acclaimed Six Weeks, which he created and co-wrote. Adrian and his wife Tracie are Artistic Directors of PANGDEMONIUM, which produced The Full Monty, Closer, Dealer’s Choice, Spring Awakening and Swimming With Sharks. Their 2013 Season kicked off with Rabbit Hole, followed by the powerful Pulitzer Prize winning musical Next To Normal, and the upcoming romantic-comedy-drama Gruesome Playground Injuries. Adrian sends a big shout-out to the loves of his life: Tracie, Zack and Xander.

Nathan Hartono - Gabe Nathan started singing at the age of 14 and has never looked back since. After winning Teenage Icon 2005, he has participated in various events such as SPH’s Child Aid, Singapore Tourism Board awards, NDP 2008 and Asian Youth Games 2009. He has also guest-sung at concerts with international stars like Judy Ongg, the Click Five and Stephanie Sun. Outside of singing, Nathan enjoys dabbling in design, music production and video games. He isn’t particularly good at that last one. Acting is new territory to Nathan. Usually more at ease with a microphone and a band, musical theatre isn’t a far cry, but definitely a couple of steps out of his comfort zone. Still, Nathan tries to keep things exciting by constantly doing new things to challenge himself. As such, his lead role in Pangdemonium’s

Spring Awakening was a departure of sorts, and he is very grateful that his professional acting debut in this extraordinary production received glowing reviews. Nathan is currently studying music at Berklee in Boston, Massachusetts, and his college has granted him a special extension of his summer vacation in Singapore in order for him to play the role of Gabriel in Pangdemonium’s production of Next To Normal.

Juan Jackson - Doctor Juan Jackson has become one of Australia’s great success stories in the ‘world of musical theatre’, and continues to break new ground with each new role he accepts. American born Juan was travelling in Australia during a world tour of Porgy & Bess, fell in love and the rest is history. On returning to the States, Juan was determined to set up home in Australia. Juan gained entry to Australia by auditioning for the Sydney production of Show Boat for the company in New York. On entry to Australia, hard work and the success of his appearances on stage paid off – Juan was soon cast as a member of the Australian Opera Company, playing and singing in the world’s most iconic Opera Theatre. Juan’s next big break was when he won the role of John in Miss Saigon and received critical acclaim. Because of his role in Miss Saigon, he and his partner became involved with The Australian Cambodian Foundation and the work of Geraldine Cox. Juan met with audience and critical acclaim in the Sydney and London productions of The Beggar’s Opera, and was nominated Best Supporting Lead in a Musical (Miss Saigon) for the Helpmann Awards. Juan added the iconic credit of The King of Siam in the Production Company’s production of The King and I followed by the acclaimed Asian tour of Jekyll & Hyde, and Juan’s history making performances in the role of Dr. Frank-N-Furter, leading man in the cult Musical The Rocky Horror Show which toured both Asia & New Zealand. Juan’s other stage credits in the US and Australia include The Convict’s Opera, Cats, Man of La Mancha, Sweet Bird of Youth, From The Lip, Teorema L’Elisir d’Amore, West Side Story and The Merry Widow. Juan has just completed performing in the Singapore TV series The Kitchen Musical, and joined the Singapore Repertory Theatre’s cast of Jack and the Beanstalk as the Giant.

support over the years. He looks forward to working again with Adrian and Tracie on Next To Normal.

Brandon Wong - Bass

His working relationship with SRT, Wild Rice, Vizpro, Toy Factory and Dream Academy has provided him with ample opportunities to work in theatre productions such as The Rocky Horror Picture Show, Broadway Beng, Jack and the Beansprout, Cinderel-lah, Oi! Sleeping Beauty, Dim Sum Dollies, December Rains, Little Shop of Horrors, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, 881, Into the Woods, Aladdin and The Lion King, to name a few.

Brandon Wong is a doubler on the Acoustic Double Bass and Electric Bass, best known for his musical versatility and work on countless Broadway and local musicals. He has also appeared on television shows like Singapore Idol, Don’t Forget The Lyrics, “我要唱下去”, The Final One, and Anugerah Planet Muzik. In 2005, Brandon suffered multiple broken bone and internal injuries as a result of a near-death accident. This left him with a permanent nerve damage that rendered a deltoid muscle dormant. By God’s grace and help of family and friends, Brandon made a swift recovery and shared his music more than ever. His handicapped has not stopped him from pursuing his passion for musical excellence and has recently been accepted into the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, an aspiration that was never fulfilled in his earlier years. His notable musicals include The Lion King, Wicked, A Chorus Line, Company, Spring Awakening, The Rocky Horror Show, The Wedding Banquet, Just You, Beauty World, Fried Rice Paradise, A Twist of Fate, Victor Victoria, December Rains, National Broadway Company, Broadway Beng, No Regrets: A Tribute to Edith Piaf, Jacques Brel, Crazy Christmas.

Rizal feels blessed to have a career in music. He currently enjoys teaching music at Geylang Methodist School (Primary) and the German-European School Singapore.

Han Oh - Violin

Rizal Sanip - Drums Rizal Sanip’s home-grown passion for music had propelled him into musicals starting with Honk! in 2002. While he plays drums professionally, other instruments played include guitar and trumpet. The latter had been his main instrument while he was in the SAF Central Band for 13 years. He is forever grateful to his late father, Sanip Ismail, a well-loved drummer in the industry, for exposing him to music at a very tender age.

Daniel Chai - Guitars Daniel is an award-winning graduate of Musicians Institute, Los Angeles. He also holds a Bachelor of Arts (Hons) from the National University of Singapore. One of the happiest guitar players for concerts, musicals and recordings, Daniel has toured and worked with Stefanie Sun, FIR, Corrinne May, Iskandar Ismail, A*Mei, Sandy Lam, Olivia Ong, JJ Lin, Eric Moo, Tanya Chua, Dick Lee, Glen Goei, Francis Yip, Ramli Sarip as well as The Singapore Symphonic Orchestra among others. Daniel has produced, arranged and written music for TV sitcoms/ serials and telemovies. And his session work has ranged from indie artists like Ling Kai to Chinese pop superstars like Ado, to movies like It’s a Great Great World. Daniel has worked on over 30 musical theatre productions including Godspell, They’re Playing our Song, HONK!, The Rocky Horror Show, productions by Dream Academy including Company, Crazy Christmas and Dim Sum Dollies shows, and Wild Rice’s Pantomimes and La Cage aux Folles. Some other theatre credits include Toy Factory’s December Rains, 881 and Glass Anatomy, SRT’s Fried Rice Paradise and SingTheatre’s Jacque Brel and A Singaporean in Paris! Daniel also played The Lion King and A Chorus Line. He has been in bands for Singapore Idol, Don’t Forget The Lyrics, and Suria’s Konsert Solo and Anugerah Planet Music series. And he has been involved in various national level projects like Singapore Day in Melbourne, Spotlight Singapore in Moscow and ChildAid in Singapore. Daniel is grateful to his family, parents and friends for their

Hailed as one of Singapore’s most versatile musicians, Han Oh has attained top accolades from performing with acclaimed international artists from most musical genres. He was invited to perform alongside a wide spectrum of top artists ranging from the classical T’ang Quartet to iconic pop-rock legends and has worked with Grammy-winning producers such as David Foster, Patrick Leonard, Bill Bottrell, Clint Mansell and “Dangermouse” aka Brian Burton. Han has also performed live alongside Josh Groban, Sarah McLachlan, Linkin Park, Jay Z, Sir Paul McCartney, Michael Buble, Chris Daughtry, Cee-lo Green, KD Lang, Jewel, Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, Natalie Cole, Olivia Newton John, Clay Aiken, Jamie Cullum, Barry Manilow and Reba McEntire. Proudly Singaporean, Han made his mark as the first musician from his home country to have performed in top international festivals and awards such as the Grammy Awards, Coachella Valley Music Festival and Lollapalooza. He was also the only Singaporean to have performed with the American Idol Band and has toured extensively with the multi-platinum Grammywinning band, Gnarls Barkley. A highly sought-after musician in the local and international theater music industry, Han has performed in many musical theater productions such as December Rains, Into the Woods, Spring Awakening, La Cage Aux Folles, National Broadway Company, Glass Anatomy, Crazy Christmas 2012, Company, and most recently, The Phantom of the Opera.

Kelle Tan - Cello Kelle is one of the most active cellists on the Singapore music stage. She has performed in many music genres including classical, symphony work, solo, jazz, rock, chinese music, opera, musicals and so on. As a huge fan of musicals Kelle has

happily performed cello for many musicals in Singapore and in oversea projects, such as the Phantom of The Opera, Miss Saigon, Les Misérables, West Side Story, A Twist Of Fate and Into The Woods. Kelle also tries to watch as many musicals as she can in her spare time. Her favourite musicals are Les Misérables and Spring Awakening. Last year marked her first time working with Pangdemonium on Spring Awakening which was a huge success. She is very happy to be working with Pangdemonium once again on this musical.

Musical Theatre International Music Theatre International (www.mtishows.com) is one of the world’s leading dramatic licensing agencies, protecting the rights and legacy of composer, lyricists and bookwriters; and supplying scripts, musical materials, and other theatrical resources around the world. MTI has been a driving force in extending the production life of such classic musicals as Guys and Dolls, West Side Story, Annie, and in promoting newer shows like Rent, Hairspray and Young Frankenstein as well as Next To Normal. With over 350 titles in its catalogue including hits from Broadway and the London stage, musical reviews, the Broadway Junior Collection (70-minute adaptations of Broadway musical geared especially for performance by young people) and other youth musical, MTI shows have been performed by 45,000 amateur and professional theatrical organizations throughout the US and in over 60 countries around the world.

BE A FRIEND OF PANGDEMONIUM! Pangdemonium Theatre Company Ltd is a not-for-profit company striving to produce the very best theatre for YOU, and we are very appreciative of the goodwill and generosity of people who believe in the work we are doing. If you wish to support our work by making a cash donation, we would be most grateful, and we have created an exclusive FRIENDS OF PANGDEMONIUM “reward system” to say THANK YOU!

• Complimentary Tickets – valid for 12 months • Reservation of Best Seats • Priority Booking • Complimentary Souvenir Programmes • Invitations to Exclusive Events • Backstage Tours • ‘Meet the Artists’ Parties • Acknowledgement on our Pangdemonium website Best of all, you can be a Friend of Pangdemonium for as little as a $250 donation per year!

FRIENDS CATEGORY

DONATION AMOUNT

COMPLIMENTARY TICKETS

PANGDEMANIACS

$10,000 and above

SUPERHEROES

$5,000 - $9,999

HEROES

$2,500 - $4,999

CHAMPIONS

$1,000 - $2,499

GROUPIES

$500 - $999

PANG PALS

$250 - $499

Kindly make your cheque payable to: PANGDEMONIUM THEATRE COMPANY LTD and mail it to: Pangdemonium, 27 Ubi Road 4, #06-01, Singapore 408618 We look forward to welcoming you as a Friend!

Tracie and Adrian would like to say a big THANK YOU to the following for creating further PANGDEMONIUM with us on our production of NEXT TO NORMAL Corporate Sponsor

Production Sponsors

Supported By

Official Fairy Godmother

Official Magazine

Official Photography

Official Flight Sponsor

Official Privilege Card

Official Florist

Official Bar

Official Drink

Official Makeup Sponsor

Official Caterer

Official Card

L-Acoustics speaker systems by

Official Mall

Social Media Guru

PLUS SPECIAL SHOUT-OUTS TO: MAHITA, MIN, KENNY & JOANNE for sharing your incredible stories PHIL for yet another stunning set design MARC for your set construction expertise JAMES for giving us light, and dark and everything in between JOEL – Musical Director Extraordinaire FREDA for being a fab deputy rehearsal pianist AMANDA for squeezing those notes out of us – we’re gonna miss you! GEORGE for the magic moves (and for not giving Adrian too much choreo) JEFFREY for the superb sound design IAN for making sure we didn’t experience ECT for real GRACE – you really are our Saving Grace – we love you! VIC – you are the best - and KEIRA & CAROLENE, for being an amazing SM team SOPHIA & YVETTE for making sure Juan’s biceps never burst out of his costumes HASLINA for giving us great hair and helping Nathan look just a little bit handsome KAT for being Multi-Tasker of the Year DEBBIE for selling a very difficult-to-sell show (are any of our shows easy to sell???) CRISPY for once again producing eye-catching, ass-kicking collaterals LETICIA for being an awesome new member of the team – welcome to the madness! CATHERINE for your invaluable help – you’re gonna to slay ‘em at De Paul! VIKNESH for doing the Great Flyer Run and much more The SISTIC Team The FRONT OF HOUSE Team The DRAMA CENTRE Staff & Crew

RAYMOND WEIL Boutiques: Marina Square #02-133A Tel: 6355 9819 Wisma Atria #03-31 Tel: 6736 0213 Service Centre: United Square #24-01/05 Tel: 6355 9272 / 6355 9267 RaymondWeil@melchers.com.sg

1 YE O AR

NLY

$30

Expat Living is the only magazine that is full of recommendations and referrals from fellow expatriates living in Singapore. Topics covered include home décor, travel, property, food & drink, health & beauty, the arts and much more!

SPECIAL OFFER

for Next to Normal participants Next to Normal participants can get a one-year subscription to Expat Living Magazine for only $30 instead of the usual price of $48. YOU WILL GET: 12 months’ subscription to Expat Living FREE annual guides: Body & Mind Guide, Kids’ Guide, Travel Guide, City Guide (valued at $26) FREE delivery to your postbox

To take advantage of this special offer sign up at

www.expatliving.sg/pangdemonium

Terms and Conditions: Subscription is non-refundable but is transferable. Please allow 4-6 weeks for delivery of your first issue. Annual Guides will be delivered to you during the course of your subscription as they are published.

myTime Deals Vacation Like a VIP [at no additional cost] myTime is a new concept in vacations, providing unique recognition, extra amenities and special touches when travelling, all at no additional cost. Whether you are travelling with a family, with friends, or with the one you love, differentiate yourself from other travellers and make your next vacation a myTime vacation.

Flight Centre Exclusive TRUE VIP SERVICE ABSOLUTELY FREE!

It’s myTime to receive… + Credits with minimum stay of number of nights + Exclusive check-in and checkout areas + Exclusive welcome pack with suggested tours with exclusive customer discounts vouchers plus additional offers to enhance your experiences + Guaranteed restaurants reservations + Designated help desk at your service

For more information about myTime & other great deals visit:

Phuket

Flights + 2 nights 4-star

310

from

Bali

Flights + 2 nights 4-star

420

(+ taxes $172)

from

(+ taxes $163)

INCLUDES Accom at Centara Karon Resort with

INCLUDES Accom at The Harris Resort Kuta Beach

flightcentre.com.sg

daily breakfast and return airport transfers.

with daily breakfast and return airport transfers.

BONUS

6692 9764

• Children under 12 years stay FREE with breakfast included. • Unique myTime benefits & discounts 1-for-1 internet package per room and 1 bottle of house wine & enjoy private wait services upon booking Candlelit Dinner for 2 adults. • Earn myTime credits Receive spa credits when you stay for minimum nights.

Visit us at:

29 Stanley Street #01-175 Suntec City Mall #01-33 International Plaza

• Voucher for 1 hour massage, 1 large bottle of Bintang beer, 1 hour of bicycle hire for 2 and a ride on the Flying Fox (zip line) for 2. • Earn myTime credits Stay minimum of 7 nights & enjoy a 3-course set-dinner for 2 at The HARRIS Resort Kuta Beach restaurant.

* Travel restriction and conditions apply. Offers and flights are subject to availability. Prices are per person in SGD, subject to availability.Taxes inclusive of fuel surcharge. Prices are correct at time of print and subject to change without notice. ▼ Terms & conditions apply. Visit our website www.flightcentre.com.sg for full details. Flight Centre Singapore, a brand of FCm Singapore Pte Ltd. Travel Agents Licence 00046.

KEEPING PERANAKAN CULINARY TRADITIONS ALIVE WITH PERAMAKAN’S AUTHENTIC & HOME-COOKED FOOD & DELICACIES

PeraMakan

Your Nyonya Family Restaurant

KEPPEL CLUB OUTLET Level 3 Keppel Club 10 Bukit Chermin Road Singapore 109918 Business Hours: 11:30 am – 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm Open to the public everyday

For Reservations: Call 63772829/62701618

PeraMakan

EAST COAST OUTLET

Your Nyonya Delicatessen

171 East Coast Road Santa Grand Hotel East Coast Singapore 428877

209 East Coast Road Singapore 428908 Tel: 63466529

Business Hours:

11:30 am – 3:00 pm & 6:00 pm to 10:00 pm We are closed on Mondays but opened if a PH or eve of PH falls on a Monday

10:00 am to 8:00 pm We are closed on Mondays but opened if a PH or eve of PH falls on a Monday

For Reservations: Call 63464202/3

For Orders & Collections: Call 63466529

www.facebook.com/PeraMakan

$10.00 VOUCHER AT PERAMAKAN EAST COAST ONLY

http://twitter.com/PeraMakan

0 $V1O0UC.0HER

For minimum spend of S$50.00 Valid till 22 December 2013 Only original coupon will be accepted, photocopy or printout will not be honoured

Website : www.peramakan.com

30% off Whole Cakes & 10% off Pastries & Pies FOR WALK-INS ONLY AT OUR DELICATESSEN Valid till 22 December 2013 Only original coupon will be accepted, photocopy or printout will not be honoured

3i0sco% unt d d

1i0sco% unt d d

Experience a journey of discovery at Club Med Bali. A perfect harmony between modernity and traditional Balinese architecture. Make the most of your holiday with our All-Inclusive packages.

Deluxe Room

Dining

Swimming Pool

Call 1800-CLUBMED (258 2633) or contact your Preferred Travel Agent. Visit www.clubmed.com.sg

ABOUT PANGDEMONIUM PANGDEMONIUM is a not-for-profit theatre company dedicated to bringing stories to life on the stage in the most dynamic way. Artistic Directors Tracie Pang and Adrian Pang are committed to producing works which are accessible, relevant, inspiring, challenging, and above all, have the highest artistic, entertainment and production values, and they aim to bring their work to a diverse audience, in a league with the very best of theatre internationally. Their inaugural production in 2010 was the hit musical comedy THE FULL MONTY, followed by the critically acclaimed drama CLOSER, the award-winning comedy DEALER’S CHOICE, the rock musical SPRING AWAKENING, and the showbiz satire SWIMMING WITH SHARKS. Their 2013 Season is made up of the Pulitzer Prize winning RABBIT HOLE, NEXT TO NORMAL, and October’s time-travelling romantic-comedy-drama GRUESOME PLAYGROUND INJURIES.

We want to hear from you!

So whether it’s to give us feedback on our productions, or to suggest shows you’d like us to stage, or to get more info about us, or to be involved in the work we do, or to tell us you want to give us a bunch of money, please get in touch with us at: PANGDEMONIUM 27 Ubi Road 4, #06-01, Singapore 408618 Telephone: (65) 67460046 Facsimile: (65) 67461561 Email: admin@pangdemonium.com www.pangdemonium.com

Eden Ang, The Rabbit Hole (2013)

presents

“A SWEET, DELICATE AND VERY FUNNY PLAY.” - BRITISH THEATRE GUIDE

BY RAJIV JOSEPH

31 OCTOBER - 10 NOVEMBER 2013 ESPLANADE THEATRE STUDIO