There's so much great theatre in Cincinnati right now, all of it worth your time depending on your preferences and tastes. But here are five reasons to see Next to Normal at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. I caught the first preview—and if its this good before it even officially opens, you're definitely not going to want to miss it.
1. The Cast
Cincinnati native and CCM alumni Jessica Hendy (Diana), home from NYC for this revival, brings both ferocity and fragility to a role that demands everything from its actor. This marks a triumphant return—Hendy starred in ETC's 2011 and 2012 productions of the show, which were among the first regional productions in the country. Charlie Clark (Dan), who played Dr. Madden/Dr. Fine in those earlier productions, now takes on the role of the husband with such emotional nuance that you find yourself gutted by his quiet strength. Add in three current CCM students—Carter Minor (Henry), Jameson Zoller (Gabe), and Julianne Ferguson (Natalie)—who are Broadway-bound, and you start to realize the bench is impossibly deep. Add Cincinnati's own Rory Sheridan finally getting his ETC mainstage moment as both Dr. Madden and Dr. Fine showing off his versatility and underrated talent—and you're guaranteed to be blown away by this cast.
2. The Themes
This show doesn't shy away from hard things. It's about grief, love, loss, and the complicated ways mental health threads itself through family life. Brian Yorkey and Tom Kitt wrote a piece that balances gravitas with just enough irreverence to keep it watchable. It's not all doom and gloom—sometimes the humor cuts deeper than the tears. Musically, it's a monster: imagine Stephen Sondheim as a rocker but on steroids. Under the baton of music director Steve Goers, the small but mighty four-piece band fills the ETC space without overwhelming it, while the vocal blends sound crisp and intentional.
3. The Emotion
If you want to feel something—really feel something—this is your show. Jameson Zoller's breakdown near the top of the stage left me shaken in the best way. Julianne Ferguson and Carter Minor have a chemistry that makes their scenes vibrate with life. Charlie Clark's Dan—quiet, supportive, sometimes overlooked—lands with a power that sneaks up on you. And when Diana finally reckons with the reality of her symptoms and what that means for her family… well… it's Jessica Hendy at her best. This show breaks hearts, and if it doesn't break yours, you may want to check your pulse.
4. The Music & Production
The score is notoriously difficult, but this cast makes it sound effortless. The vocals soar, blending rock power with real vulnerability. D. Lynn Meyers' staging is intimate and brisk—ETC's space amplifies the impact, making you feel like you're inside the family's home, inside their grief, inside their hope. Scenic and lighting designer Brian c. Mehring uses ETC's stage to keep the show visually dynamic without ever distracting from the story. The costumes are contemporary and Patti James' simple choreography is tasteful and appropriate.
5. Supporting High Quality Musical Theatre in Cincinnati
It matters that ETC is doing this show—and doing it well. Across the river, The Carnegie has been building its reputation, and CCM continues to be one of the top training grounds in the country for musical theater. For ETC to produce not just one, but three musicals this season, is a big deal. With Next to Normal, they've set the bar high. I'll be at Mythic at the Playhouse next week, and I'm hopeful the streak of my seeing mind-blowing musicals continues.
What You're Walking Into
Next to Normal isn't light fare. It tells the story of Diana, a mother battling severe mental illness, and the ripple effects her illness has on her husband Dan, their daughter Natalie, and everyone around them. It's a show about grief, trauma, and survival, but also about love, hope, and what it means to keep going when life doesn't turn out the way you expected. If you've struggled with mental health yourself, or love someone who has, parts of this musical may hit very close to home. But that's also the point—it's art that insists on honesty, even when honesty hurts.
Next to Normal runs through October 5th at Ensemble Theatre Cincinnati. Get your tickets at ensemblecincinnati.org before they sell out.