Susie McMonagle (Next to Normal)

Susie McMonagal, Chicago, Theatre, Theater, interview, Next to Normal

I was honored to speak with the gifted Susie McMonagle, who plays Diana in the Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning musical NEXT TO NORMAL at Drury Lane Theatre. Susie is a Jeff Award nominee who appeared as “Fantine” in Les Miserables on Broadway. Susie and I talked about the emotional honesty which is necessary for such a complicated and challenging role. “You can’t act like a crazy person because no one really knows how a crazy person acts – or what it’s like for someone who is struggling with a mental illness… My goal with this character has just been to sort of be understood as a typical mom which is what I am.” Susie’s passion and charisma are truly evident both on and off the stage.