By Mary Ann Bourbeau
HOLMDEL – Gaelen Gilliland remembers the day she realized what she wanted to do with her life. She was at Kennywood Park, an amusement park near her home in Pittsburgh, when she saw Kathy Connolly performing in one of the shows there. She knew Connolly because as teenagers, they had taken classes together at the Pittsburgh Playhouse.
“We became fast friends,” said Gilliland.
Gilliland got a job performing at the theme park. After college, she and Connolly were roommates while they were both part of the 1996 national tour of “Grease.” After the tour, Gilliland performed on cruise ships and in summer stock before scoring her first Broadway role in “Wicked.” She later had roles in “Legally Blonde,” “Honeymoon in Vegas,” “9 to 5,” “Kinky Boots” and “SpongeBob Squarepants.”
Connolly started directing and teaching acting classes. In 2018, she accepted the role of artistic director of the Holmdel Theatre Company and invited Gilliland to perform at the theater’s Cabaret Gala last October, along with Jenn Gambatese (“School of Rock,” “Tarzan”) and Rema Webb (“Escape to Margaritaville,” “The Color Purple”). While there, Gilliland learned that Holmdel Theatre was doing “Next to Normal.”
“My eyes opened really big, but I tried to play it cool,” she said. “I love that show and Diana has been a dream role of mine. Luckily we were able to make it work.”
“This is such an honor,” said Gilliland. “I’m thrilled to be working with Kathy again in this capacity. It’s nice to be back in each other’s lives every day and reminisce. I know her so intimately and I trust her. I’m so glad my first time doing this show, which I’ve always wanted to do, is with her.”
Connolly said it has been about 10 years since the pair has worked together. “Working with her (Gaelen) has been wonderful,” she said. “It’s as if no time has passed. I’m in awe of her talent.”
“Next to Normal” is a rock musical that centers on a mother (Diana) who struggles with bipolar disorder and depression and the effects it has on her family. The show won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for drama. With music by Tom Kitt and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, it was also nominated for 11 Tony Awards. It won Best Original Score and Best Orchestration and Alice Ripley took home the Tony for Best Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role in a Musical. Last month, as a kickoff to the Broadway at the Barn series, Ripley performed her solo show, Ripley Prescription, at Holmdel Theatre.
Gilliland couldn’t be more thrilled to be performing her dream role.
“I saw ‘Next to Normal’ on Broadway when I was doing ‘9 to 5’ across the street,” said Gilliland. “I always seem to be cast in more commercial, upbeat comic roles, but I love contemporary musicals. I’m drawn to the dramatic, to things that deal with real-life issues. I auditioned on Broadway as a replacement for Alice Ripley but I wasn’t old enough.”
The cast also includes Jake Oliver as husband Dan; Jordan Virgil as daughter Natalie; Arjun Menon as son Gabe; Brian Johnston as Henry; and Jason Kruk as Dr. Madden. Andrew Kosinski is the musical director.
“We’re so excited to have such an amazing performer and true professional joining us for this show,” said Connolly, who is directing “Next to Normal.” “It’s also a great opportunity for the other cast members to train and learn from a professional.”
One of those learning from Gilliland is Menon, a budding theater student at Holmdel High School.
“He’s a super smart guy,” said Gilliland. “He’s one of those kids who soaks everything up. He knows everyone’s lines and blocking better than they do. I’m pleasantly surprised at the instincts and talent of everybody. Kathy found just the right people to cast.”
Though she has a roster of Broadway credits, Gilliland is excited about performing at the Duncan Smith Theater, a renovated 125-year-old barn with 99 seats.
“It’s a small, intimate space that I think applies to this piece,” she said. “I’m just as proud of this production as anything I’ve done on Broadway.”
“Next to Normal” runs from July 19 to Aug. 4 at the Duncan Smith Theater, 36 Crawfords Corner Road in Holmdel. Tickets are $15 – $30. For more information, visit holmdeltheatrecompany.org.
Arts and entertainment writer Mary Ann Bourbeau can be reached at mbourbeau@tworivertimes.com.
