Deedee Magno-Hall and Isa Briones star in ‘Next to Normal’ in LA
Deedee Magno Hall (left) and Isa Briones. EAST WEST PLAYERS
LOS ANGELES — Actors Deedee Magno-Hall and Isa Camille Briones will play mother and daughter, respectively, in East West Players’ staging of the musical “Next to Normal.”
With music by Tom Kitt and libretto by Brian Yorkey, this Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical is about how Diana’s mental health conditions affect her spouse Dan and daughter Natalie.
Magno-Hall takes the role of Diana and will act alongside her real-life husband Clifton (who is of partial Filipino descent), who plays Dan. Both just recently concluded the national tour of another Kitt-Yorkey musical, “If/Then,” starring Idina Menzel.
Other Filipino Americans in the production include actors Anthea Neri (Diana understudy) and Randy Guiaya (Doctor Fine/Madden/Anesthesiologist); and musical director Marc Macalintal.
Runs in the family
Isa Briones is making her East West Players (EWP) debut with the role of Natalie. Her surname may sound familiar to theater aficionados. Her father, Jon Jon, is currently playing in a little musical on Broadway titled “Miss Saigon” as the Engineer.
He says, “I’m very proud of my daughter and have always been. She’s a wonderful, insanely talented, kind-hearted person and I’m very excited that she’s making her EWP debut. They do great work.”
Jon Jon played Georges in EWP’s “La Cage Aux Folles” last year opposite Gedde Watanabe as Albin.
“I know it’s important to her that she connects with her Asian roots and be recognized in the Asian theater community,” he adds.
Unfortunately, he won’t be able to catch his daughter’s show due to schedule conflicts. “But I’ll be cheering her on, as well as my other friends in the show, from here in New York City. If it’s extended there may be a possibility of my going.”
Artistic journey
When she first found out about the auditions, Isa signed up right away even if she’d just previously played the same role for Pico Playhouse Theatre.
“It’s my absolute favorite musical,” she says.
Cast of “Next to Normal” at East West Players’ 2017 Visionary Awards, from left (back row) Deedee Magno Hall, Clifton Hall, Isa Briones, Anthea Neri; (front row) Justin Yu, Scott Takeda, and Randy Guiaya. EAST WEST PLAYERS
While she was excited to land the role, Briones got even more “ecstatic when I realized that Deedee and Clifton would be playing Diana and Dan!”
“I’ve known them since I was little, and I consider them my auntie and uncle so getting to work with them for the first time is a dream come true.”
Briones, whose mother Megan and brother Teo are also actors, says it’s surreal to work with her “auntie” for the first time.
“We’ve only just started rehearsals but so far it’s been really amazing. We’ve been doing some intense work so far, really digging deep into the play itself and the characters.”
“Diana and Natalie’s relationship is so beautiful despite the pain and the hardships. It’s really just about a daughter needing her mother.
“I can’t wait to explore those basic yet powerful emotions with Deedee. She’s such a talented and inspiring woman. Getting to play opposite her in such an emotional and intimate piece is going to be a great artistic journey.”
Mental health
Magno Hall, who played Nessarose in the first national tour of “Wicked” and currently voices Pearl in Cartoon Network’s “Steven Universe,” says, “We’ve only just begun rehearsals, but I’ve seen Isa play the part of Natalie and she’s perfect!
“I’ve known Isa since she was about two years old, and I’ve watched her grow into an intelligent, talented and beautiful young woman, inside and out. I’m such a proud auntie, and I am thrilled to be playing her mother in this show!”
She’s excited to play Diana. “I live for roles that are complex and far from (or close to) my reality. There is so much to play with and dive into as an actor. It’s part of the love of playing pretend.
“Our wonderful director, Nancy Keystone, has provided us with plenty of research about the medical condition of Diana’s character.”
She’s also done her own research, interviewing friends and family that have dealt with mental illness and memory loss.
“That has been helpful in trying to understand in some ways, but of course not completely, the severity of the disease. All I can do is try my best to use what I know and hopefully bring some truth to the character.”
Any family
Both Magno-Hall and Briones point out the universality of the musical’s characters and their circumstances. “It can be the story about any family, anywhere in the world, regardless of race,” says Magno-Hall.
Deedee Magno Hall (left) and Isa Briones at East West Players’ 2017 Visionary Awards. EAST WEST PLAYERS
“I’m so happy that EWP exists, giving many actors and artists of color an opportunity to play roles they would not usually be considered for. I do hope the entertainment industry in general continues to take more chances with colorblind casting. My friend, Pearl Sun, an actor of Asian descent, played the role of Diana on the national tour, which I thought was pretty cool.”
Briones says that EWP allows audiences to gain “a different perspective and understanding from an Asian American point of view.”
“Talking about mental illness specifically in the Asian American community is extremely important, too, as it is not talked about enough on a social level and in the home. It is often prevalent in the Asian culture that such things be kept behind closed doors which may prevent people from getting the help they need.”
Directed by Nancy Keystone, set design by Hana Sooyeon, lighting design by Karyn Lawrence, costume design by Lena Sands, sound design by Cricket Meyers. EWP’s artistic director is Snehal Desai.
“Next to Normal,” previews start May 12, runs May 17-June 11 at David Henry Hwang Theater, Union Center of the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Los Angeles.
Tickets and details at Eastwestplayers.org.
READ previous coverage of Deedee Magno Hall here.
READ previous interview with Isa Briones here.
READ previous coverage of Jon Jon Briones here.
