A new normal

Runaway Stage Productions' Next to Normal plays at the West Sacramento Community Center Black Box Theatre from July 10 through August 16. This energetic rock musical won the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (only eight musicals have ever received that honor), and deals with a woman's struggle with bipolar disorder. Her family tries to keep up appearances, but the weight of mental illness is a heavy load to bear. Though there is humor to be found in the show, the content gets pretty hefty—grief, drug abuse, suicide and complex relationships are layered upon an already difficult subject matter—and Runaway Stage gives the show an age recommendation of 16 years and older. Next to Normal; 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday; $18-$25. West Sacramento Community Center Black Box Theatre, 1075 West Capitol Avenue; www.runawaystage.com. Friday, July 10, through Sunday, August 16.