NORMAL IN SCHOOLS

Transport Group’s cast of NOR.MAL: (from left) Barbara Walsh, Erin Leigh Peck, Shannon Polly, Nancy Johnston, Toni DiBuono (Photo: Carol Rosegg)

NOR•MAL: is

1.  the true story of Yvonne Adrian’s daughter’s struggle with
an eating disorder and the effect it has on the family system

2.  a dynamic, fresh,
cathartic, rock-n-roll musical

Book: Yvonne Adrian

Lyrics: Cheryl Stern

Music: Tom Kochan

Developed by Jack Cummings III

Normal In Schools™ adaptation
Developed by Robyn Hussa and Eric Christiansen

3.  A Jonathan Larson award-winning musical produced in 2005 by Transport Group in New York City under the Direction of Jack Cummings III

4.  A humorous musical about self image, confidence, family communication and love

5.  A catalyst for families and communities to talk to each other about many related issues

“NOR•MAL — a feel-good musical about a teenage girl with an eating disorder — impressively handles the difficult topic with sensitivity and welcome humor.  NOR•MAL shows that any subject, if handled right, is grist for the musical mill.”
~The New York Post

View production photos from Transport Group’s original production

Normal
October 2005
New York, NY

Normal was a world premiere musical with book by Yvonne Adrian, lyrics by Cheryl Stern, music by Tom Kochan and developed with Jack Cummings III.

Scott Rink served as choreographer and Associate Director and John DiPinto served as Musical Director.

An original musical, Normal takes a close look at a “perfect and happy” American family and what happens when an unexpected crisis suddenly shakes them to the bone as a mother sets out on a terrifying and yet ironically humorous mission to save her daughter whose life is threatened by an eating disorder. Normal examines the roller coaster ride of life—full of love, humor, struggle, and discovery—and wonders if someone can ever be fully responsible for saving another person’s life.

The cast of Normal included Tony Award nominee Barbara Walsh, Adam Heller, Erin Leigh Peck, Nicholas Belton, Nancy Johnston, Drama Desk Award winner Toni DiBuono, and Shannon Polly.

The orchestrations by Tom Kochan used piano, flute, sax, clarinet, cello, bass, guitar, and percussion.

Normal was a groundbreaking musical bravely dealing with the taboo subject of anorexia nervosa. A series of engaging post-show talkbacks featuring top health and psychiatric professionals as well as survivors were organized by Transport Group’s Executive Director Robyn Hussa and were a highlight during the run.
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