Behind the Scenes of “Looking for Normal”

A Brief History of Looking for Normal:

Director Fred Sebulske gives feedback as the cast and crew rehearse a scene for the upcoming Actors’ Theatre production of “Looking for Normal”, which opens May 23, 2013. Photo Credit: Dave Kagan, Sensitography

First performed as a workshop in the 1998 New Work Festival at the Mark Taper Forum, Looking for Normal received its first full production at the Geffen Playhouse in 2001 and featured Beau Bridges in the role of Roy. The Hollywood Reporter described it as “thoughtful and touching and full of wit and wisdom.” The play was subsequently adapted as the HBO original movie Normal (2003) and starred Jessica Lange as Irma, Tom Wilkinson as Roy and “Nashville” star Hayden Panettiere as the couple’s teenage daughter Patty Ann. The Actors’ Theatre production marks the first production of Anderson’s play in West Michigan

Jane Anderson, Playwright

Jane’s plays have been produced Off-Broadway and in theaters around the country, including Actors Theater of Louisville, The McCarter Theater, Long Wharf, ACT, the Geffen Theater and The Pasadena Playhouse. Her published plays include Looking for Normal, The Baby Dance, Defying Gravity, Smart Choices for the New Century, Lynette at 3AM and The Last Time We Saw Her. Her most recent play, The Quality of Life, premiered at the Geffen Playhouse and was directed by the playwright.

Ms. Anderson resides in Los Angeles and in Marin County in Northern California with her spouse Tess Ayers and their son, Raphael.

Fred Sebulske, Director

Next to Normal marks Fred’s 59th directed production for Actors’ Theatre. Recent directing credits include 2012’s Next to Normal,August: Osage County (Winner: 2012 Grand Award for Best Production of a Play), 2011’s Spring Awakening (Winner: 2012 Grand Award for Best Production of a Musical), 2010’s Distractedand recently, at Circle Theatre, Hair.  Among his many awards and accolades, he is the recipient of 12 Grand Awards for outstanding direction, the Norma Brink Lifetime Achievement Award and the Arts Council Arts Award.

Fred is the founder of Actors’ Theatre Grand Rapids.

To see more “behind the scenes” photographs, check out this album of rehearsal photos on Actors’ Facebook page: Rehearsals for Looking for Normal.

Reserve your tickets for our final show of the 201202013 Season at www.actorstheatregrandrapids.com!