CT STAGE COMPANY PRESENTS POWERFUL CONCERT PRODUCTION OF NEXT TO NORMAL
By Kiersten Bjork (May 3, 2026)
Connecticut Stage Company, known for their high-quality concert productions of big-name shows, presented Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Next To Normal, May 2-3 at the New Canaan Library.
Next To Normal is a powerful, evocative show that follows the Goodman family as they struggle with trauma, grief, and mental illness. If you haven’t experienced Next To Normal before, I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, as it includes a particularly sharp twist that those unfamiliar with the show should experience live for the first time. From start to finish, it’s a show packed with excellent songs, such as the iconic “I Miss The Mountains” and “I’m Alive,” and it’s a gut-wrenching story that is more than likely to result in a few tears.
The CT Stage Company production is a well-produced concert version, featuring six performers who use their books and music stands for much of the show–it’s impressive how much they are off book, being that they only rehearsed for five days. Director Kate Simone and team craft a dynamic production, even with the limited movement, and the actors are giving it their all. Choreography by Cassie Austin is minimal and sometimes feels unecessary. The music is recorded, but music director Mason Frasher conducts live.
Connecticut Stage Company, known for their high-quality concert productions of big-name shows, presented Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey’s Pulitzer prize-winning musical Next To Normal, May 2-3 at the New Canaan Library.
Next To Normal is a powerful, evocative show that follows the Goodman family as they struggle with trauma, grief, and mental illness. If you haven’t experienced Next To Normal before, I don’t want to give too much away about the plot, as it includes a particularly sharp twist that those unfamiliar with the show should experience live for the first time. From start to finish, it’s a show packed with excellent songs, such as the iconic “I Miss The Mountains” and “I’m Alive,” and it’s a gut-wrenching story that is more than likely to result in a few tears.
The CT Stage Company production is a well-produced concert version, featuring six performers who use their books and music stands for much of the show–it’s impressive how much they are off book, being that they only rehearsed for five days. Director Kate Simone and team craft a dynamic production, even with the limited movement, and the actors are giving it their all. Choreography by Cassie Austin is minimal and sometimes feels unecessary. The music is recorded, but music director Mason Frasher conducts live.
A.J. Shively, Gianni Palmarini, Elizabeth Stanley, Eric Chambliss, Gabi Carrubba, and Ethan Riordan in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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Elizabeth Stanley in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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Elizabeth Stanley takes on the incredibly challenging role of Diana Goodman, the mother of the family, who finds herself knee deep in medications as she fights against depression and mental illness. Stanley gives an excellent performance in the notoriously difficult part, and the stripped back version of the production allows her to dig even more fully into her acting choices. Her facial expressions are so in tune with the battle raging in Diana’s mind, and her renditions of her songs, especially “I Miss the Mountains,” are breathtaking.
As the father, Dan Goodman, A.J. Lively also gives a strong performance. There were a few times his voice felt a bit strained, but overall he dives head first into Dan’s shoes. His pleading with Diana, and especially the final turning point for his character at the end of the show, are very well played.
Gabi Carrubba portrays Natalie Goodman, the stressed out, overachieving daughter of the family. Carrubba has a great voice for the genre, and has some really beautiful moments in her songs. Her relationship with Ethan Riordan’s Henry is both endearing and heartbreaking, and the two play off of each other nicely. Riordan is charming, at times providing a boyish ease and at other times pouring his soul out for the girl he’s in love with.
Eric Chambliss plays both Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden, two of the different doctors Diana sees as she struggles to find the right support, medications, or procedures. Chambliss sings the role well, but did feel a bit stiff at times. He does have the tone and soft charm that fits nicely with the character.
The standout of the show for me was Gianni Palmarini as Gabe Goodman, the son. If there were ever an actor made for a part, Palmarini is the perfect fit for Gabe. From the vocals to the physical presence, Palmarini is locked in from the very first downbeat. He is present in a number of scenes without delivering actual dialogue, and his presence is incredibly powerful. Vocally, he gives the audience chills and sings the roof off of the library with “I’m Alive” and more, and the softer songs are haunting in just the right way.
As the father, Dan Goodman, A.J. Lively also gives a strong performance. There were a few times his voice felt a bit strained, but overall he dives head first into Dan’s shoes. His pleading with Diana, and especially the final turning point for his character at the end of the show, are very well played.
Gabi Carrubba portrays Natalie Goodman, the stressed out, overachieving daughter of the family. Carrubba has a great voice for the genre, and has some really beautiful moments in her songs. Her relationship with Ethan Riordan’s Henry is both endearing and heartbreaking, and the two play off of each other nicely. Riordan is charming, at times providing a boyish ease and at other times pouring his soul out for the girl he’s in love with.
Eric Chambliss plays both Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden, two of the different doctors Diana sees as she struggles to find the right support, medications, or procedures. Chambliss sings the role well, but did feel a bit stiff at times. He does have the tone and soft charm that fits nicely with the character.
The standout of the show for me was Gianni Palmarini as Gabe Goodman, the son. If there were ever an actor made for a part, Palmarini is the perfect fit for Gabe. From the vocals to the physical presence, Palmarini is locked in from the very first downbeat. He is present in a number of scenes without delivering actual dialogue, and his presence is incredibly powerful. Vocally, he gives the audience chills and sings the roof off of the library with “I’m Alive” and more, and the softer songs are haunting in just the right way.
Gianni Palmarini in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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Gabi Carrubba and Ethan Riordan in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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There isn’t as much design work involved since it’s a concert production in a nontraditional theatre space, but the design elements that are incorporated were nice touches. Besides the music stands downstage, and seating upstage for the actors, there is a kitchen counter/sink set piece center stage that is utilized well, as well as props such as sandwich materials, medications, and more.
The actors are dressed in modern costumes that fit the show, adding a few pieces here and there as needed, like Diana’s hospital gown. Costume and prop design is by Lorah Haskins. Jesse Melito, and John Shule with Woodside Productions, are responsible for sound and lighting. In the library space, there is only so much that can be done via lighting because there aren’t traditional places to hang lights. However, the team creates colored looks, from blues to reds to greens, against the upstage wall that add to the overall story. Sound in the space is surprisingly good–this show I was much more centrally located between speakers than previous shows here, and it was the best sound I’ve experienced in the space thus far.
The actors are dressed in modern costumes that fit the show, adding a few pieces here and there as needed, like Diana’s hospital gown. Costume and prop design is by Lorah Haskins. Jesse Melito, and John Shule with Woodside Productions, are responsible for sound and lighting. In the library space, there is only so much that can be done via lighting because there aren’t traditional places to hang lights. However, the team creates colored looks, from blues to reds to greens, against the upstage wall that add to the overall story. Sound in the space is surprisingly good–this show I was much more centrally located between speakers than previous shows here, and it was the best sound I’ve experienced in the space thus far.
Elizabeth Stanley and Gabi Carrubba in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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Elizabeth Stanley, A.J. Shively, and Gabi Carrubba in CT Stage Company’s Next To Normal (CT Stage Company)
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I have yet to experience a show that I disliked at CT Stage Company, and Next To Normal was no different. It was intimate, yet explosive, gripping yet mindful, all the while delivered by a cast singing their hearts out within a story that is always important to tell, especially in today’s day and age. Up next, you can check out CT Stage Company's production of What The Constitution Means To Me, starring Kate Baldwin, on June 14 at the New Canaan Library.
Connecticut Stage Company’s Next To Normal played May 2 - 3, 2026, at the New Canaan Library in New Canaan, CT. Learn more about their upcoming productions at connecticutstagecompany.org.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.
Connecticut Stage Company’s Next To Normal played May 2 - 3, 2026, at the New Canaan Library in New Canaan, CT. Learn more about their upcoming productions at connecticutstagecompany.org.
Kiersten Bjork is a professional theatremaker, performer, and reviewer (Connecticut Critics Circle) from Branford, CT.