Theatre Junction’s Broadway musical ‘Next to Normal’ is set to take the stage this week! We met up with the cast behind this award winning musical to talk about their characters and what it’s like to portray them and here’s what they said; 

Devashrie de Silva as Diana Goodman 

So Diana is a woman in her late thirties married to Dan and is a stay-at-home mom to Gabriel and Natalie. She is bipolar depressive. Diana is confronted with huge challenges as she fights to overcome her illness and tragedies in life while trying to keep it together for her family’s sake. 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

Getting into the shoes of this beautiful character is an emotional rollercoaster. It’s a lot of baring the soul. I also feel a lot of responsibility bringing this character to life since this condition is very real for many. Mental health is a topic that needs more open and responsible discussion and solutions. 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"What happens if the cut, the burn, the break was never in my brain or in my blood but in my soul." 

Chrisantha 'CC' de Silva as Dan 

Well, he is Diana's husband and Natalie and Gabe’s father. He tries really hard to keep the Goodman family together and normal. Even though he’s very calm on the surface, he’s mostly internalizing his insecurities and frustrations. 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

Well, in terms of lyrics and lines, this is the most I've had to memorise for a theatre production. Once I got over that obstacle, it is definitely the emotional drain. Because these are very real-world characters, both me and mostly Diana have to make sure we don't really carry the emotion out of the play. 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"I couldn't give a flying  f***, what's normal, we haven't had a normal day in years." 

Sithara Pathirana as Natalie Goodman 

Well she’s a rebellious teenage daughter undergoing a great amount of stress and at the same time feeling very neglected. She’s a bit of an overachiever with a love for music. In the play it’s about how she reacts to her mother’s illness and other situations she’s faced with. 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

Well, initially understanding her character was a challenge because she’s so rebellious but at the same time full of frustrations. Also grasping the various forms of pop, jazz as well as classical music and singing 6 part harmonies was quite difficult! 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"Can I hide my stupid hunger, fake some confidence and cheer. Wish I were here." 

Damien Fernando as Gabriel Goodman 

Gabriel is 18 and the first born of the Goodman family. He’s your typical mama’s boy. He’s someone I would describe as outgoing and youthful but at the same time a bit curious and is at most times the cause behind the on goings of the household! 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

I would say it’s portraying the relationship he has with his father and sister and the inability to get them to emotionally invest in him. 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"There's a world where we can be free... come with me." 

Gyles Dharmaratne as Henry 

Henry is just this stoner teenager who likes Jazz music. He is also the love interest of Natalie. 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

Trying to find different ways to say 'Hey'. 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"Hey". 

Eraj Gunewardena as Dr. Fine and Dr. Madden 

I’m playing two different characters. Dr. Fine is this inexperienced young psychiatrist prescribing an array of medication to his patient so he’s more of an experimenter than a healer whereas Dr. Madden is a qualified psychologist that takes a more professional approach towards his patients and practices talk therapy as treatment. The two are at the opposite ends of the spectrum in what they want to achieve when it comes to patients. One wants to experiment while the other wants to heal. 

Hardest part about playing your character? 

Playing two different characters actually. Dr. Fine is a very robotic, fun type of a person, but the transition from Dr. Fine to Dr. Madden is quite a challenge. 

Favourite line spoken by your character? 

"Let’s get it on now BABY……." 

Next to Normal will take place on the 29th and 30th  of September and the 1st of October at the Lionel Wendt Theatre from 7:30pm onwards. Tickets are priced at Rs. 2500, Rs. 1500, Rs. 1000 and Rs. 800 and are available for purchase at the Lionel Wendt Theatre. 

Photographs by Asela Perera