Courtesy Photo The cast of Rogers City Community Theatre’s “Next to Normal” poses for a photo at a rehearsal on Monday night. Pictured, from left to right, are Lyn Loheed, Garrison Benson, Brittany VanderWall, Justin Dawes, Robert Starnes IV, and Caitlynn Shadbolt. The rock musical opens Thursday and runs through Sunday.

ALPENA — A Tony and Pulitzer prize-winning rock musical that tackles mental health issues while still providing well-rounded engaging entertainment is hitting the Rogers Theater stage.

“Next to Normal” opens at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday at Rogers Theater, 257 N. Third St., Rogers City. The rock musical plays this weekend only, at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $14 per adult and $6 per student.

“It’s a story of a suburban family dealing with a mental health crisis,” said Director Katy Carignan. “One thing I really liked about it, and why I wanted to do this is that I feel like people in our community and people everywhere need a way to talk about these kinds of issues within families.”

She explained that the cutting-edge musical follows Diana, played by RCCT newcomer Lyn Loheed, as she and her family navigate her course of treatment for bipolar disorder. Garrison Benson plays Dan, her loving and codependent husband. Brittany VanderWall is Natalie, their genius daughter who is lost in the middle. Justin Dawes has moved to Rogers City to fulfill his dream role of Gabe, their son and Natalie’s brother. Caitlynn Shadbolt shines as Henry, the boyfriend of Natalie. Robert Starnes IV is made to play Dr. Fine/Madden.

“Next to Normal” is based on the book by Brian Yorkey, who also wrote the lyrics. Music is by Tom Kitt.

Because of some adult language and mature themes, this performance is recommended for ages 13 and up.

“‘Next to Normal’ is an incredible show,” Carignan said . “It’s one of the most beautiful musicals I’ve ever worked on. The music is incredible, the writing is incredible, and the cast has done an extraordinary job.”

Dawes and VanderWall went to high school together in Muskegon, and VanderWall convinced Dawes to move up to Rogers City specifically for this musical.

“It’s a rock musical,” said Dawes, who has most recently performed in Albany, New York. “It’s mostly sung through. There’s some dialogue, but a lot of it is song after song, back to back.”

He said this is his favorite musical and his dream role.

Carignan said there is so much music throughout the show, and a lot of it is complex and layered.

“It’s really difficult music, actually, to learn, because there’s a lot of harmonizing that goes on between the different parts,” Carignan said. “And they sing practically the entire show. So, it’s actually amazing.”

“It’s a sustained singing marathon,” said VanderWall. “It’s awesome … It’s a really sustained effort to put something like this on. And this show is so musically complicated.”

She said after rehearsals she goes home and drinks tea to soothe her throat, but singing is just like anything else — your stamina increases with practice.

“I have a really high stamina for singing,” she added. “It takes a lot for me to feel fatigued … so it’s not terribly taxing.”

RCCT patrons may recognize VanderWall and Benson from their lead roles in “The Addams Family” last March. Both have been in numerous shows on the Rogers Theater stage.

“I love it,” VanderWall said. “It’s such a fun thing to do.”

Both VanderWall and Dawes recommend trying community theater.

“First of all, you’re probably better than you think you are,” VanderWall said. “It’s community theater. It’s about getting together, having fun, putting on a show. It’s about having a good attitude and learning and doing your best and having fun.”

Even if you’re not the acting type, there are so many roles to be filled behind the scenes.

“Community theaters desperately need other volunteers,” VanderWall said. “We love people to help backstage. We love costumers, set designers, lighting, running the booth, running the microphone, the music. There are so many moving parts and pieces … The behind-the-scenes people — we simply couldn’t do it without them.”

The “Next to Normal” creative team includes Carignan on projections, Alex Czarnecki as assistant director and music director, Benson as technical director, Theresa Gibson as producer, Benson on light and set design, Ashley Nowicki as choreographer, Julia Blaukopf as artist and on projections, Valerie Schalk as costume designer, Baylee Lijewski as assistant producer, and Judy and Cliff Fisher on props.

The crew includes Nowicki as stage manager, Noah Hanson on light board, Lijewski on projection, Lexi Haske on microphones, Anne-Marlowe Belanger on follow spot, and Veronica Frost, Anna May Kohler, and Brittany Getzmeyer as stage hands.

The build crew includes Lawrence Anderson, Anna May Kohler, Carignan, Magnus Wilson, Brooke Crawford, Theresa Gibson, Cliff Fisher, and Dan Leraul.

Community support for this performance has been incredible, Carignan said. Appreciation goes out to Renewed Blessings, Seconds on Third, The Stone House Studio, Tradewinds Bakery, Save A Lot, Richard Lamb, Magnus Wilson, Brittany Getzmeyer, Carrie Wilson, and an anonymous donor.

Tradewinds Bakery is baking a cake for every single night of the show, which will go to a lucky audience member, Carignan said. She added that Renewed Blessings thrift shop loaned them all of the furniture they are using for the set.

“We got an enormous amount of support from our community,” she said.

Carignan said because of the serious subject matter in this drama, representatives from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention will be at the theater with a table full of resources.

“I wanted to make sure that, in case anyone was triggered, we had people there being supportive,” Carignan noted.

She added that the show is not a downer ­– there are ups and downs just like real life. Some parts will make you laugh, and others may make you cry, but you will likely be tapping your toes as you leave the theater.

For more information, visit rcctheatre.org.