MANILA — The Sandbox Collective is set to open its 2025 season with the critically acclaimed musical “Next to Normal,” a production that sheds light on mental health.

Running from February 1 to 23 at the Power Mac Center Spotlight Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati, the musical promises a heartfelt exploration of family dynamics, love, and resilience in the face of mental illness.

Leading the cast is seasoned theater actress Shiela Valderrama-Martinez as Diana Goodman, a mother grappling with mental disorder. Playing her husband Dan is OJ Mariano, while their children Natalie and Gabriel are portrayed by rising stars Sheena Belarmino and Vino Mabalot, respectively.

Belarmino highlighted the relevance of the musical to younger audiences, saying, “I think it’s so evident for us teenagers na hindi na siya nagiging taboo topic, ‘yung mental health. Hopefully, with this show, it’ll bring awareness to everyone and somehow bring awareness to themselves — the ones who’ve been dealing with mental health issues, bipolar man ‘yan or depression.”

Meanwhile,Mariano shared a deeply personal connection to the role of Dan, revealing how his own experiences with grief influenced his decision to join the production.

“I lost my father in December 2024 and my mom in February, just seven months apart. When I was asked to audition, I initially said no — I wasn’t ready. But the second time around, I think I had a better understanding of the grief I was going through. It’s become a form of therapy for me, and I hope it’ll resonate with the audience too,” he said.

For Valderrama-Martinez, the chance to play Diana is a dream come true. “Nasa bucket list ko talaga ‘to, so when I heard about it, I said, ‘Oh my God, I have to do this show.’ What makes it even more exciting is finally being paired with OJ Mariano onstage,” she shared.

Director Toff De Venecia emphasized the significance of bringing “Next to Normal” to Filipino audiences, noting how its themes transcend cultural boundaries.

“Sobrang importante, lalo na ‘yung may mga pinagdadaanan or may mga kilala na may pinagdadaanan. It’s very relatable. You’ll see yourself in one or more of the characters in this show. It may be a Western musical, but it’s very Filipino,” he said.

The production will run for just three weeks, some on Thursdays and mostly on weekends, offering audiences a chance to reflect on mental health and its impact on relationships and family.