The Sandbox Collective just announced the cast of Next To Normal, their next musical offering, which opens in February 2025 at the PowerMac Spotlight Theater.

Next To Normal explores how a family deals with and survives grief, and its impact on their relationships. Moreso its impact on the matriarch of the family. The Tony Award-winning musical, with book and lyrics by Bryan Yorkey, and music by Tom Kitt, first opened on Broadway in 2008, and was previously staged in Manila in 2011 with Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Jett Pangan.

This new staging features theater veteran and Gawad Buhay nominee (for Tanghalang Pilipino’s Sandosenang Sapatos) Floyd Tena in the role of Dan, alternating with stage actor and singer OJ Mariano (of The Company) in the role of Dan. Jam Binay, a singer-songwriter and actress who was last seen in Bar Boys: The Musical and Pingkian, will alternate with actress Sheena Belarmino (who appeared in One More Chance: The Musical) as Natalie. Davey Narciso, who just came off the successful runs of Othello and Going Home To Christmas, shares the role of Henry with Bar Boys’ Omar Uddin. Playing the central role of the mother, Diana are two of the country’s top theater actresses — Gawad Buhay and Aliw Award winner Shiela Valderrama-Martinez, who played Erzulie in 9Works Theatricals’ Once On This Island; and FAMAS Award winner Nikki Valdez. Also in the cast are Star Magic’s Vino Mabalot, and theater actor Benedix Ramos, both as Gabe Goodman, and Jef Flores as Dr. Madden.

The Sandbox Collective’s production of Next To Normal will be directed by Toff de Venecia, with musical direction by Ejay Yatco.

Follow @thesandboxco on Instagram for ticket details.