Next to Normal 

SPECIAL EVENTS

Preview Night – Friday, May 10

$20

Opening Night with Champagne Reception

– Saturday, May 11

$50

Military Matinee – Sunday, May 12

2 free tickets for Military & Veterans with ID

Artist Talkback – Sunday, May 12

Industry Night – Monday, May 20

$20

“The wasted world we thought we knew, the light would make it look brand new, so let it shine…”

Winner of three 2009 Tony Awards, including Best Musical Score and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize, Next to Normal, written by Brian Yorkey with music by Tom Kitt, introduces audiences to a seemingly typical American family. In this production directed by Frankie Errington with musical direction by Dr. Randi Rudolph May 10 through May 26, the dad heads off to work as an architect, the mom prepares breakfast and lunch for the family, and the teenagers crack jokes at their parents’ expense. However, as the lights begin to shine onto their lives, the truth is illuminated, revealing the shadows of the mother’s 16-year battle with bipolar disorder and the roles each family member has had to play. Next to Normal tells a story of hope, love, and learning to let go.

“Next To Normal was the most requested show on our patron survey as a write-in option, meaning people really find a need for this story,” said Burroughs. “Including it in our 2024 Season was an absolute must. I am adamant that theaters listen to their patrons and give audiences what they want, when they can do so. This show also holds a special place in my heart as it sparks conversation about mental health.”

DAN

Berto Fernandez

He/Him

Named 2022 Actor of the Year by the San Diego Theatre Critics’ Circle, Berto Fernández is excited to make his OTC debut in one of his dream roles! Recent credits include The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time (CCAE); Evita, La Cage Aux Folles, Rock of Ages (Cygnet); How The Grinch Stole Christmas! (Old Globe); Head Over Heels (Diversionary); Kinky Boots, Ragtime (Moonlight); The Addams Family (Welk); In The Heights, Catch Me If You Can, Sister Act! (SDMT); Beauty & The Beast: Live! (Disney World); Jesus Christ Superstar, Little Shop of Horrors (Lyric Theatre of Puerto Rico). Born and raised in San Juan, Puerto Rico, he has shared the stage with superstars including Ricky Martin and Andrea Bocelli.  www.bertoworld.com

DIANA

Melissa Fernandes

She/Her

San Diego Critics Circle (SDCC) Female Actor of the Year Winner in 2016 and multiple SDCC nominee, Melissa Fernandes’ San Diego Theatre credits include Present Laughter, On The 20th Century, The Whale, Assassins, Company, Little Shop of Horrors, Cabaret,  A Little Night Music (Resident Artist, Cygnet Theatre), Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime (CCAE); Kinky Boots, Sondheim on Sondheim (Moonlight), Spamalot (Welk); Sunday in the Park with George (Ion); God of Carnage, Big River, The Full Monty, Into the Woods (New Village Arts), Eternally Bad, Mud Blue Sky, Diversionary: Falsettos, The Rocky Horror Show, 5th of July, Never the Sinner (Moxie).  Regional credits include Little Shop of Horrors (Sierra Rep): Harmony (La Jolla Playhouse). Fernandes received an M.F.A in Musical Theatre from SDSU.  

NATALIE

Salima Gangani

She/Her

Salima Gangani is a 2023 graduate of the University of Redlands (B.M. Vocal Performance) and is ecstatic to be making her OTC debut! Recent credits include Rosalía/María Understudy in West Side Story (Teatro SD), Swing in Jesus Christ Superstar (Moonlight), and Beggar Woman/ Lovett Understudy in Sweeney Todd (University of Redlands).  In Fall 2024, she will be playing  Johanna in Sweeney Todd (SDMT). She has also performed in theme parks including Seaworld San Diego, San Diego Zoo, and Legoland California, where she is currently in her fifth year as a singer. 

GABE

Danny Holmes

He/Him

Danny Holmes is a San Diego-based actor in his final year at San Diego State University working towards his B.A in Musical Theater. His credits include Seymour in Little Shop of Horrors, Billy Flynn in Chicago, Jamie in The Last Five Years, Jason in Ordinary Days, and Chip in Spelling Bee. He has also done prominent work as a producer, designer, and director for multiple programs at SDSU and hopes to continue in those fields as well as performing.

HENRY

Marlon James Magtibay

He/HIm

Marlon James Magtibay is stoked doing his first show at Oceanside Theatre Company! He earned his B.F.A in Musical Theatre at CSU, Fullerton. His credits include a national tour as Fireball in Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (Right Angle Entertainment). His regional credits include Lefou in Beauty and the Beast, Brother in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (Candlelight Pavilion), Understudy for Frank Jr. in Catch Me If You Can, Swing in Anything Goes (SDMT), Ensemble in The Addams Family (5-Star Theatricals).

DR. MADDEN

Daniel Filippi

He/Him

A Southern California native, Daniel Filippi is excited to be making his OTC debut. Previous appearances include Bobby/Drums in I’m Still Getting My Act Together (Laguna Playhouse), Smudge in Plaid Tidings (New Village Arts), and Jeter in Footloose (SDMT). As a multi-instrumentalist, Filippi has also played guitar and drums in the orchestra for Moonlight and the Laguna Playhouse. Additionally, he has performed at Legoland, SeaWorld, and the San Diego Zoo.

DIRECTOR

Frankie Errington

They/Them

A long-time actor in the San Diego theatre community, Frankie Errington has worked at Moonlight, Cygnet, North Coast Rep, New Village Arts, La Jolla Playhouse and other theatres. Their directing credits include: Director for Turn of the Screw (Chalk Circle Collective), Assistant Director for HIR (Cygnet Theatre), and Assistant Director for Las Tres Mujeres de Jerusalén (LA Opera). As an educator, Errington has taught and directed with Moonlight Youth and North Coast Theatre School. They have seven years experience producing entertainment at Legoland Resort. Errington is a co-founder of Chalk Circle Collective. Thank you to OTC for trusting me with this piece. Extra love to Megan, Patrick, Michael, and my chosen family. This show is dedicated to Matthew Naegeli. 

MUSICAL DIRECTOR

Randi Ellen Rudolph

She/Her

Dr. Randi Rudolph is grateful to be working on Next To Normal in her first production with OTC! Recent music director credits include 42nd Street (Moonlight), A Chorus Line (Phoenix Theatre Company), Lizzie (Arizona State University), Associate Musical Director for Prom (1st National), and Keyboard Sub for Beetlejuice (National Tour). She completed her doctorate of Musical Arts in Conducting at Arizona State University, where she researched rhythmic notation in Broadway pop rock scores. Rudolph received her master’s of Music in Conducting from Ithaca College and her bachelors of arts in Music from Stanford University. www.randiellenrudolph.com

CHOREOGRAPHER

Alyssa “Ajay” Junious

She/Her

Alyssa “Ajay” Junious is an interdisciplinary storyteller, choreographer, teaching artist and community organizer from Oceanside and an Oceanside High School alumni. GO PIRATES! She has a B.F.A. in Performance and Choreography, and also a Certificate of Arts Management from UC Irvine. Her San Diego professional credits include La Jolla Playhouse, Cygnet, Diversionary, New Village Arts, Teatro San Diego, Oceanside Museum of Art, and LUX Art Institute. In 2022 she was a BroadwayWorld San Diego nominee for “Best Choreography” in The Wiz (Teatro San Diego) and Songs For a New World (Teatro San Diego). When she is not choreographing or performing, she is organizing community events. She is the co-founder of Soultry Sisters Arts & Wellness Collective and hosts an annual Summer Soulstice Festival right here in North County. She is excited to return to OTC and join the creative team of Next To Normal. ContinuumArtsPilates.com. Instagram: @continuum.sd

STAGE MANAGER

Maura McMillan

They/Them

This is Maura McMillan’s first show with Oceanside Theatre Company! They received a B.A. in Theatre Performance at San Diego State University, where technical theatre highlights included Sound Board Operation for Bloodletting and Assistant Sound Board Operation for The Weight of Dreams. Prior to that they were a choreographer for three years at Prospect High School. They are ecstatic to return to the magical behind-the-scenes world of theatre – thanks to the lovely cast and design team for all the support!

LIGHTING DESIGNER

Kevin “Blax” Burroughs

He/Him

OTC’s Artistic Director, Kevin “Blax” Burroughs is described as a “Theatrical Swiss Army Knife” for his roles as performer, director, choreographer and lighting designer. Select Lighting Design credits include Welcome To Sleepy Hollow, The Drowning Girls, The Wiz, The Spongebob Musical, Carrie The Musical, First Date, The Addams Family, and Matilda. He is the 2022 Craig Noel recipient of the Outstanding Specialty Award, a Craig Noel nominated director, multi-nominee and winner of Broadway World Regional Awards, Co-Founder and Artistic Director for Teatro San Diego, and Resident Lighting Designer for Southwestern College Dance Department. Credits include Moonlight Stage Productions, CCAE Theatricals, New Village Arts, San Diego Rep, OnStage Playhouse, Cygnet, Legoland, SDMT, Coronado Playhouse, Common Ground and Loud Fridge. IG: @blaxparadise

SCENIC DESIGNER

Reiko Huffman

She/Her

Reiko Huffman is excited to be participating in Next To Normal and get to collaborate and support the work of talented emerging artists. Huffman currently works as an Asst. Professor of Scenic Design at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she instructs both graduate and undergraduate students in their theatrical design studies. Upcoming credits include Three Little Birds at The Rose Children’s Theatre in Omaha, NE and The Color Purple at New Village Arts.

COSTUME DESIGNER

Zoë Trautmann

She/They

Zoë Trautmann is a freelance costume designer based in Southern California. She holds an M.F.A. in Costume Design from UC San Diego and a B.A. in Theatre Design/Tech from the University of North Texas. Selected San Diego regional credits include: Clyde’s (MOXIE Theatre), Evita, Sharon, Cabaret (Cygnet), Pippin (North Coast Rep), Assistant Costume Designer for Lempicka (La Jolla Playhouse). Other select credits include A Flea in Her Rear, Dance Nation, limp wrist on the lever, Napoli, Men on Boats (UC San Diego), Sweeney Todd (Music Theatre of Denton), The Humans, Steel Magnolias, The Marvelous Wonderettes, The Wizard of Oz (Theatre Denton), Nathan the Wise, Summer and Smoke, New Choreographer’s Concert 2018 and 2019 (University of North Texas). Instagram: @zoecostumes; ZoeTrautmann.com.

PROPS & SET DRESSING

McKenna Foote

They/Them

This is McKenna Foote’s first show with Oceanside Theatre Company. They were born and raised in Oceanside and Carlsbad. They have a B.A. in Drama with a Minor in Sociology from University of California, Irvine. Foote was a leader for Brick Theatre Company and on the Neofuturist Collective Schrodinger’s Cast at UC Irvine. Their previous credits include Directing Acute Exposure (UC Irvine), Lydia in Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley, Assistant Stage Manager for The Servant of Two Masters and The Ferryman, Props Designer and Assistant Stage Manager for Singin’ in the Rain, and Props Designer for Fun Home and The 39 Steps (New Village Arts). Foote is also a Teaching Artist with New Village Arts and Kids College.

SOUND DESIGNER/MIXING

Andre Buck Jr.

He/Him

Andre Buck Jr. is a sound designer for theater arts and most recently worked on Oceanside Theatre Company’s Chicken & Biscuits. He loves to work in the San Diego community and has designed sound for The Bonitafest Melodrama for years. He has previously worked with Teatro Máscara Mágica, La Jolla Playhouse and Lambs Players Theatre. He was also recently worked as Assistant Technical Director for The Cradle Will Rock and Sound Designer for Psycho Beach Party (Southwestern College.)

SOUND DESIGNER/MIXING

Geronimo Omabtang

He/Him

Geronimo Omabtang is OTC’s Technical Director. He graduated from San Diego State University in 2003 with a bachelor’s in Theatre with an emphasis in Design. During college he was employed at Sea World San Diego as a Lighting Technician and as a Scenic Arts Craftsperson. Most recently, he was the Technical Director for the Drama Club at Francis Parker School. Previously, he was the Technical Director for Sushi Performance and Visual Art. Independently, Omabtang is a person of many hats, having worked in local theaters on many different projects from designing to performing.

ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER

Amelia Simpson

She/Her

Amelia Simpson is a San-Diego based theatre practitioner studying Theatre Design & Technology at SDSU. She has  stage managed in the past for Blindspot Collective at WOW Festival, Coronado Playhouse, and SDSU’s Skull and Dagger. Some other favorite work includes associate direction  of I Could Use a Drink, technical direction of The Crucible, Medea, Clean, scenic/props/projection design and fabrication of Medea and Little Women, and scenic painting for the SDSU Mainstage. Next to Normal is her first time working with OTC, and she’s beyond excited and grateful to help tell this story. Find her and her work @ameliamayb.