NORMAL

A friend of mine once said those of us who like the darkness are not ourselves dark or cruel--but we don't flee from the shadows in our lives. We face them, seek to explore them. I've mentioned this to some, and gotten a blank look of bafflement in reply. But this show proves a shining (heh) example of what my friend understood. NORMAL lets us into the darkest, most terrible and yet strangely attractive aspect of human life, inviting us to at least imagine what it would be like to live there. Darkness makes the light and all colors so much more beautiful, really. Evil is necessary if there is to be virtue, and cruelty can only be the opposite coin of kindness (and vice versa of course). Emerging from the Underworld, we are shaken but ... full review

I really enjoyed the story! The writing was fantastic! ... full review

An intense theater-going experience that blew me away with its stylish execution of a dark and thought-provoking story. ... full review

The cast was fantastic! Psychological drama that keeps audience on the edge of their seats. Highly entertaining! Story set in the distant past but told with innovative, modern touch. The visuals, the set - simple but striking!... full review

This compelling, creepy, and relevant show shines through a very talented cast, strong direction, and excellent use of its lighting and set design to bring forth an almost immersive theatrical experience, that not only takes the audience on a thrilling, fast paced, dark ride, but somehow manages to use the events of 1931 Germany as a thought provoking way for one to question society and humanity. ... full review

This is a really hard show to take on as actors and as a company, and they've tackled it whole-heartedly. It's, at times, really upsetting to watch, but it should be! This is not a show you want to miss, but prepare yourself before you go in. ... full review

There were sections of play that were realistic, while others were surreal, but it all worked seamlessly together. It challenged my way of thinking about what is "normal" in our society vs what someone who is obviously depraved thinks is "normal". Who's right? How does this relate to the current times we live in? Do we change our understanding or perception when someone else is so strong in their convictions? Do we follow, or lead? All of these questions made the play so intriguing!... full review

Creepy, eerie, and terrifying in the best way. I never knew what was coming next, and due to its immersive-ness, I felt like I was a part of the story the whole time. Very, very well done.... full review

Normal chilled me to the core. The emotional journey was a rollercoaster I felt fully part of. The story makes each audience member come face to face with the darkest part of themselves. Bystanders we may be, Innocents we are not.... full review

“The case ended on April the 23rd, 1931. The jury retired for an hour and a half. Peter was sentenced to death 9 times. The judge said that Peter’s crimes had been committed in cold blood, and that during the trial he had created the impression of cleverness, calmness, and considered deliberation. ‘Peter Kurten’, he said, ‘is normal’.” As human beings, we define ourselves by that which we are not. Sometimes this distinction translates as a list of exceptional abilities: rational thought, language, building skyscrapers. Other times, it is what we don’t do that seems most critical to our distinction from the natural world: Humans don’t kill each other for fun. We don’t eat each other humans. We don’t engage in rape as our primary mode... full review