RALEIGH, NC – North Carolina Theatre (NCT), the region’s premier producer of professional Broadway shows, is excited to announce that Raleigh’s own Lauren Kennedy has been cast in Next to Normal as “Diana Goodman” alongside English Bernhardt, who will play her daughter, “Natalie.” NC Theatre’s original production of Next to Normal will run May 1-10, 2015 at A.J. Fletcher Opera Theater in the Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.

Lauren Kennedy has starred both on Broadway and is a favorite on the NC Theatre stage. Most recently she appeared in NCT’s production of Les Misérables as “Fantine,” a role she played on Broadway in 2002/03. Her other Broadway credits include Monty Python’s Spamalot as “Lady of the Lake,” Sunset Boulevard with Glenn Close and Side Show as “Daisy Hilton.” She has also appeared on stage in “Cinderella” at the New York City Opera and South Pacific as “Nellie Forbush.” Lauren has appeared on the NCT stage many times, including starring roles in Evita (2011 & 1993), Annie Get Your Gun (2008) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (1998). Lauren currently serves as the Artistic Director at Theatre Raleigh.

In the role of “Natalie” will be Ravenscroft and NCT Conservatory alum, English Bernhardt, who received rave reviews for her depiction of “Eponine” in NC Theatre’s 2014 production of Les Misérables. This marks her 10th show with NC Theatre. Additional credits include The Little Mermaid, Evita, Hairspray, The Sound of Music and in the title role of Annie in 2010.

Stepping into the Director role for this production will be NC Theatre’s Artistic Director, Casey Hushion. In addition to her work with NCT, Casey has worked both on and off Broadway on various productions. She was the Associate Director of Elf in 2010 and 2012 and In The Heights, both on Broadway and the National Tour. She recently directed the critically acclaimed production of NERDS at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, which is expected to open on Broadway this year. A graduate of New York University, Casey has worked at regional theatres across the country and has also been active in the development of new musicals.

ABOUT NEXT TO NORMAL

The Pulitzer Prize-Winning Next to Normal is the story of what appears to be a typical American family, yet their lives are anything but normal, as the mother struggles with bipolar disorder. Featuring a powerful and contemporary score by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Next to Normal takes audiences into the minds of each character and presents the family’s story with love, sympathy and heart as the family deals with the unpredictability of their mother’s mental illness. The Broadway production of Next to Normal ran from 2009-2011 and received three Tony Awards including “Best Original Score.”

For tickets to NC Theatre’s production of NEXT TO NORMAL, visit NCTheatre.com or call Ticketmaster at 800-745-3000. For groups of 10 or more, call 919-831-6941 x5204. Next up in the 2014/15 season: The Buddy Holly Story, July 21-26, 2015.