Mental Health Professionals Get Discount for “Next to Normal”
(August 2, 2022–Chatham, NY) The Mac-Haydn Theatre will introduce a “Pay What You Can” performance initiative and Mental Health Professionals discount for the upcoming regional premiere production of “Next to Normal.” The two initiatives are implemented in the spirit of community outreach and education.
From its inception in 1969, the Mac-Haydn has made accessibility to the arts a core focus of its mission. With the highest ticket price at $45.00, the theatre sets the cost barrier lower than any other professional musical theater producer in the region.
The “Pay What You Can” initiative will be introduced with a designated performance of “Next to Normal” – Sunday, August 7 at 7pm – where audience members choose what amount they’d like to pay for their ticket.
For the remainder of the season, the Mac-Haydn will offer a “Pay What You Can” performance for each Mainstage show, details of which will be released closer to the performance date.
Patrons who wish to purchase “Pay What You Can” tickets for “Next to Normal” may call the box office at 518-392-9292, beginning at 3pm on Sunday, August 7, or visit the theatre box office the day of the performance beginning at 6pm to purchase tickets in person. The performance will have a limited number of tickets available for the “pay what you can” promotion.
Patrons must provide proof of vaccination and photo ID upon entry, and masks are required for all patrons.
Additionally, at any evening performance during the run, Mental Health Professionals can enjoy a $25 discounted ticket to “Next to Normal,” to honor the region’s dedicated workers in the field of mental health. Any Mental Health Professional may call the theatre box office, open Tuesday – Sunday 10am – 3pm, or email boxoffice@machaydntheatre.org for more information and to reserve discounted tickets.
“Next to Normal” promises to be an artistic highlight of the 2022 Mac-Haydn season, and is unlike anything audiences have ever seen on the Chatham stage.
Berkshire Theatre Award-winning Director John Saunders is joined by Music Director Eric Shorey and Assistant Music Director Emily Croome. The production will feature scenic design by Emma Cummings, who will bring the Goodmans’ home to life on the Mac-Haydn stage, along with lighting design by Andrew Gmoser, costume design by Bethany Marx, sound design by Nick Caburis, wig design by Caitlin Maxwell, hair and makeup design by April Gerbode, and props design by David Tankersley, who will also assist Cummings.
Broadway’s Beth Kirkpatrick (Les Miserables, Hello Dolly) makes her Mac-Haydn debut as Diana. She is joined by Eric Van Tielen (Broadway: Les Miserables, A Tale of Two Cities) as Dan. Rounding out the cast are Mac-Haydn favorites Amber Mawande-Spytek (Pippin) as Natalie, Kylan Ross (Pippin, Urinetown) as Gabe, Andrew Burton Kelley (Little Shop of Horrors, She Loves Me) as Henry, and Gabe Belyeu (Man of La Mancha, A Chorus Line) as Dr. Madden.
“Next to Normal” features a book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, with music by Tom Kitt. The thrilling all-genre score features hits including “I’m Alive,” “You Don’t Know” and “Just Another Day.”
Please be advised that Next to Normal contains language and subject matter that may not be suitable for all audiences. The production addresses topics and conversations surrounding mental illness, drug abuse, and suicide. For more information on the show’s content, call the box office at 518-392-9292 or email boxoffice@machaydntheatre.org.
The Mac-Haydn Theatre encourages audiences to visit https://omh.ny.gov/ for more information and resources.
Vaccination and masks are required for all patrons. For tickets, please visit www.machaydntheatre.org or call the box office at (518) 392-9292.
About the Mac-Haydn Theatre
Founded in 1969, the Mac-Haydn Theatre strives to present innovative, diverse and professional musical theatre productions to the residents of Columbia County and beyond. We aim to cultivate young talent for careers in theatre and seek to provide a supportive environment for the creation of new musical theatre works.