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Note: No longer in repertoire!
An exceptional musical that makes viewers and critics sensitive.
Cast: Vuokko Hovatta, Juha Junttu, Jonna Järnefelt, Petrus Kähkönen, Tuukka Leppänen, Antti Timonen
Translation: Mikko Koivusalo
Direction, choreography and costume design: Markku Nenonen
Conductor: Lasse Hirvi
Production: Markus Tsokkinen
Sound Design: Ari-Pekka Saarikko
Lighting design: Teppo Saarinen
Broken mind At first glance, you wouldn’t think that a mental health topic would turn into a musical. Helsinki City Theatre’s Next to Normal proves the suspicion to be unfounded. The musical, directed by Markku Nenonen and brought to Studio Pasila by six actors and six musicians, comes straight to the skin. The music sounds beautiful. When the mother of the family becomes mentally ill, the whole family is in pain. There is great distress, helplessness and a lot of loneliness. When the patient’s mind is treated with electric shocks, the pain eases a little, but at the same time, dear memories disappear. What is important in the end? Jonna Järnefelt plays a harrowingly believable role as Diana, a mother who has lost her child, and she sings absolutely wonderfully. Juha Junttu plays a downright moving role as a husband who tries to help his wife. Judging by the reactions of the audience, the topic is touching. The performance sings “Our family is the one that lacks the “we””.
Read moreThe psychological problems within the family, and especially the mother’s, are not a topic that you would first think of as a musical. But when you’ve seen the Broadway musical Next to Normal, written by Brian Yorkey and composed by Tom Kitt , at the Helsinki City Theatre’s Theatre Studio Pasila, you’re convinced that this is just the right format.
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