The Ooley is proud to host Natalie Zimmerman's production of Next to Normal! As a first time producer, Natalie decided to tackle a piece that means a great deal to her personally. That was what drew us at The Ooley support her in this effort. This show covers a lot of dark and deep subject matter, but with such heart and at times some really fun dark humor. The cast and crew of this show are all super fans and their devotion to this show will truly move you when you see them perform. We look forward to having you at the show!

ABOUT THE PLAY: 

Next to Normal is a 2008 American rock musical with book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey and music by Tom Kitt. The story centers on a mother who struggles with worsening bipolar disorder and the effects that managing her illness has on her family. The musical addresses grief, depression, suicide, drug abuse, ethics in modern psychiatry, and the underbelly of suburban life.

The musical opened on Broadway in April 2009. It was nominated for eleven Tony Awards that year and won three: Best Original Score, Best Orchestration, and Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Musical for Alice Ripley. It also won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, becoming the eighth musical in history to receive the honor. In awarding the prize to Kitt and Yorkey, the Pulitzer Board called the show "a powerful rock musical that grapples with mental illness in a suburban family and expands the scope of subject matter for musicals.

Producer's Note: 

Thank you so much for supporting this production of Next to Normal. This show marks my debut as a producer, and I couldn’t imagine a more meaningful musical to begin with.

This year, my parents celebrate their 30th wedding anniversary. I wanted to honor them in a way that felt true to who I am — which, of course, meant putting on a musical. But not just any musical. I chose Next to Normal because its heart beats with themes my family has lived, survived, and grown through.

A little over a year before I was born, my parents lost their firstborn son, William Zimmerman, the twin brother of my brother Donald. William was only nine months old. That kind of loss reshapes a family forever. Next to Normal explores exactly that — the invisible work of holding a family together after grief rearranges the ground beneath you. Diana Goodman’s struggle to stay present, to stay connected, to stay whole, echoes a truth many families know but rarely speak aloud.

As I’m now seven years older than “Natalie”, I know I grew up in the aftermath of that loss, I understand the quiet strength required to keep a family steady. I see now how much resilience, tenderness, and grit my parents carried to give me and my siblings a beautiful, stable life. In many ways, I’ve always related to the character of Natalie — the daughter trying to be “fine,” trying to keep the rhythm going, trying to make sense of a story she was born into but didn’t witness.

My hope is that this production reminds audiences — and especially my family — that love deepens when we talk openly about mental health, grief, and the things we’re taught to keep silent. Healing doesn’t come from pretending everything is perfect. It comes from acknowledging the cracks and choosing one another anyway.

To my beautiful family — Joel, Louise, Donald, Katie, and Will — this one is for you.

Love prevails through loss.

— Natalie Zimmerman

Welcome to The Ooley Theatre! We are founded by EMH Productions' executive creative director Elise Hodge with the intent of creating a non-profit space for live performing arts as well as workshops and much more!

http://emhpros.weebly.com/tickets-special-offers.html

This Multi-purpose Venue serves the community to provide live entertainment and workshops to benefit the public and its artists in the Sacramento and surrounding areas. We are a fan favorite now 3 years running since 2023!

Please click on the links above to see all shows are currently on at our intimate 35 seat space. 

Located at 2007 28th Street, Sacramento, CA 95827
Corner of T and 28th in Midtown Sacramento

Whether you are looking to go see a live show or looking to find a venue to perform in yourself, The Ooley is a favorite spot to shine at! 

From theatre to music to stand-up and even magicians we have a lot going on in this little space. We also LIVE STREAM from The Ooley Theatre offering those who are unable to simply attend in person for whatever reason a chance to still see a great live show. A 3 Camera State of the Art set-up is used to give you a feeling of really being right there in the room with us. We know many are now not comfortable in crowds of any size, or there are those who simply cannot get out any more and we think you are just as important as our in person crowd. Live Stream is offered on a variety of shows so check out the box office and see!

We look forward to seeing you or you seeing us at our venue!