‘Normal’ educates and entertains

Normal" is a musical that tackles the weighty and relevant subject of eating disorders and how one young girl's struggle affects her entire family.

Artistic Director Chase Kniffen writes in his program notes that "Normal" not only deserves a place in Stage 1's inaugural season, but that it was, in fact, the reason he wanted to create a new theatrical venue in central Virginia dedicated to new and recent works by American playwrights - especially musicals.

"Normal" fits the bill. The play, written by Yvonne Adrian with lyrics by Cheryl Stern, opened off Broadway in 2005 and has apparently not been professionally produced elsewhere since.

Anorexia is not a common topic for a play, much less a musical, but Kniffen and the cast of seven provide an open, in-depth and intimate view of the subject as well as the dynamics of the Freeman family as mother, father, daughter and son struggle to come to terms with the layers of dissonance that would drive a young girl to starve herself to be pretty "to the bone."

With strong voices and solid acting by veterans Ford Flannagan (the dad, Robert) and Julie Fulcher (the mom, Gayla), Dave Amadee's authentically touching portrayal of the concerned brother, Zachary, and Ali Thibodeau's debut in the heart-wrenching role of Polly, the show has a lot to offer. Angela Shipley, Debra Wagoner and Terri Moore round out the cast as a sort of Greek chorus in white, filling in the many roles of doctor, nurse, therapist, flight attendants and the like.

The production is ably supported by Mercedes Schaum's stylishly modern tiered set that serves multiple purposes while leaving nowhere to hide.

Given the topic, Adrian has done a remarkable job of educating the audience about anorexia, as well as developing the family members as multidimensional individuals - the helplessness of Robert, the developing strength of young Zachary, and the brittle hysteria of Gayla.

There is no fairy-tale ending, no sudden and false solution that ties up all the loose ends into a neat little package. It's edgy, raw, contemporary and blindingly painful. Why then, does it not live up to its promise as "a new musical of hope and survival"? Perhaps because it is too real, because it leaves the big question - "Why?" - unanswered, or perhaps because it's just not normal to break into songs that deal with anorexia, like "Cooking for the Starving," "Pretty to the Bone," or "Breaking Things."

That said, "Normal" is a must-see - with reservations: It's a long 90 minutes without an intermission, and it's sometimes painful, but painful with a purpose.

Julinda Lewis is a teacher, dancer and writer who lives in eastern Henrico County. She can be contacted at .