Cover The ‘perfect’ family in ‘Next to Normal’ played by Sheena Belarmino, OJ Mariano, Shiela Valderrama, and Vino Mabalot
The ‘perfect’ family in ‘Next to Normal’ played by Sheena Belarmino, OJ Mariano, Shiela Valderrama, and Vino Mabalot
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‘Next to Normal’ tells a relatable story of family navigating the struggles of mental illness
To open their 2025 season, The Sandbox Collective brings another Broadway musical to Manila. Originally premiering in 2009, Next to Normal has won three Tony Awards and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Themed around mental illness, grief, and healing, the rock musical follows the seemingly perfect Goodman family. However, under the guise of it all, the mother struggles with bipolar disorder—upending their whole dynamic.
“Mental health is the core advocacy of The Sandbox Collective. We did Every Brilliant Thing, Lungs, The 25th Annual Putnam Spelling Bee, and Tiny Beautiful Things. There’s always a need to have a platform to be able to talk about it… I think it’s time we bring this very important piece back,” says Toff de Venecia, Managing Creative Director of The Sandbox Collective and Director of Next to Normal.
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The Sandbox Collective’s rendition of Next to Normal will be the third time the musical will be staged for Filipino audiences. It made its premiere in the Philippines in 2011 under Atlantis Productions with a full Filipino cast featuring Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo, Jett Pangan, Markki Stroem, and Felix Rivera among others. In 2020, Ateneo Blue Repertory revisited the musical but it was cut short due to the pandemic—running for only one weekend.
Shiela Valderrama and Nikki Valdez as Diana
Above Shiela Valderrama as Diana Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Above Nikki Valdez as Diana Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Shiela Valderrama as Diana Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Playing the role of Diana Goodman—the family’s matriarch—is Shiela Valderrama. Last seen on stage in 9Works Theatrical’s Once On This Island as the goddess of love, Erzulie, Valderrama has played countless roles over three decades and is a Gawad Buhay and Aliw Award Winner. She is alternated by Nikki Valdez who is making her theatre comeback. Known for her iconic roles in the Ang Tanging Ina film franchise, she was recently awarded a FAMAS Best Supporting Actress Award for her role in Family Matters.
OJ Mariano and Floyd Tena as Dan
Above OJ Mariano as Dan Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Above Floyd Tena as Dan Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
OJ Mariano as Dan Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Bringing the doting husband, Dan, to life is theatre veteran OJ Mariano. As an Awit Award recipient for Best New Male Recording Artist, Philstage Gawad Buhay awardee, and the tenor for The Company, it’s exciting to see what Mariano can show us for Next to Normal—especially after his performance in Little Shop of Horrors as Audrey II. He is alternated by Floyd Tena, a Philstage Gawad Buhay nominee for his performance in Sandosenang Sapatos.
Sheena Belarmino and Jam Binay as Natalie
Above Sheena Belarmino as Natalie Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Above Jam Binay as Natalie Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Sheena Belarmino as Natalie Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Star Magic artist, singer, dancer, and actress Sheena Belarmino plays the perfect daughter, Natalie Goodman. She has appeared in multiple television shows such as Lyric and Beat, ASAP Natin ‘To, and It’s Showtime. On the theatre side of things, she recently performed in One More Chance and Tabing Ilog. Alternating Belarmino is Jam Binay, a singer-songwriter and theatre actress who performed in Bar Boys: A New Musical, Ang Huling El Bimbo, and Pingkian: Isang Musikal, among others.
Also see: Pirates, Pixies and Pure Magic: Ballet Philippines’ ‘Peter Pan’ reawakens wonder
Vino Mabalot and Benedix Ramos as Gabe
Above Vino Mabalot as Gabe Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Above Benedix Ramos as Gabe Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Vino Mabalot as Gabe Goodman in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Playing Gabe Goodman, Diana and Dan’s son, is up-and-coming theatre actor, Vino Mabalot. With performances in Batang Rizal, Dekada 70, and Tabing Ilog, he’s in a prime position to show off his talents. Alternating him is Benedix Ramos, singer-songwriter, commercial model, host, and content creator under Star Hunt. His recent theatre credits are Bar Boys: A New Musical, Tabing Ilog, and Ang Huling El Bimbo.
Davy Narciso and Omar Uddin as Henry
Above Davy Narciso as Henry in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Above Omar Uddin as Henry in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Davy Narciso as Henry in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Davy Narciso and Omar Uddin share the role of Henry, the boy who falls in love with Natalie. A decorated young theatre actor, Narciso recently appeared in Going Home to Christmas: A Jose Mari Chan Musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, and Othello among others. Uddin, on the other hand, has graced both the stage and screen with his talent—with roles in musicals such as Mula sa Buwan, Ibong Adarna, and Bar Boys: A New Musical.
Jef Flores as Dr Madden
Above Jef Flores as Dr Madden in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
Jef Flores as Dr Madden in The Sandbox Collective’s ‘Next to Normal’
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Solo carrying the role of psychiatrist Dr Madden who helps the Goodman family sort out their issues is Jef Flores. An award-winning actor and musician, Flores is known for his performances in 9Works Theatrical’s Musikal nAPO, Tick…Tick…Boom! and Once On This Island.
Next to Normal will run from February 1 to 23 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater, Circuit Makati. For more information, visit The Sandbox Collective’s social media pages.
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About
Gabriel found his passion for writing through poetry in high school. He sharpened his skills at Ateneo de Manila University and hopes to write a play worthy of Broadway one day. A self-proclaimed geek, he loves to spend his free time playing video games and board games. When he's not clicking heads on Valorant or roleplaying as a barbarian in Dungeons and Dragons, you can find him exploring art galleries or watching stage plays.
Work
A creative writer who writes about anything and everything, Gabriel loves to dive deep into the arts and culture scene—as well as going on long road trips for travel pieces.
You can reach him on Instagram at @gbohol for any leads, casual conversations or game invites.
