By Allison Peck | The Post
Listen to the full interview on our Kubota Podcast
North Platte, Neb. - The upcoming production of Next to Normal at North Platte Community Playhouse isn’t your typical night at the theater. It’s a show that leans into the uncomfortable, the deeply human, and the conversations many people avoid—but perhaps need most.
For Nikki Schmidt, who returns to the stage as Diana, the story hits close to home. “This show is a lot more real than what we’re used to seeing on stage,” she said. The musical follows a suburban family navigating grief, loss, and mental illness, tracing how each member copes in their own way.
Unlike more traditional productions, Next to Normal doesn’t shy away from heavy themes. Instead, it places them front and center, using music as its primary storytelling tool. Schmidt describes it as a rock opera—where nearly every moment is carried through song rather than spoken dialogue. That format, she says, is part of what makes the show so powerful.
“It’s probably some of the most amazing music in any show I’ve ever been part of,” Schmidt said. But beyond the music, it’s the message that drew her back. As a mother, a community member, and someone who has experienced mental health struggles personally, she sees the production as an opportunity to spark important conversations. “We can do that through art in a way we can’t do in other ways.”
That same sense of connection is what drew Dustin Cartmill, a sophomore at NPCC, to audition. Cast as Henry, Cartmill said the show resonated with his own experiences. Having been diagnosed with ADHD and facing other challenges growing up, he felt an immediate pull toward the story and its themes.
“I wanted to learn about this story and really get into it and be a part of it,” he said—even if that meant helping behind the scenes.
For both actors, the production is more than a performance—it’s a platform. That’s reflected in the theater department’s decision to host a mental health forum following the first Sunday performance. The goal is simple: provide resources, encourage dialogue, and help break down the stigma surrounding mental health.
“Talking is the hardest part,” Cartmill said. The forum aims to make that first step a little easier.
The show’s emotional weight is matched by its musical intensity. Cartmill said the songs have been stuck in his head since he first discovered the musical, with “I’m Alive” standing out as a personal favorite. For Schmidt, the continuous flow of music—paired with a cast and musicians she describes as “real rock stars”—creates an experience audiences won’t soon forget.
Offstage, the production has also become a full-circle moment. Schmidt, a former music teacher, has found joy in working alongside students she once evaluated. Watching their growth as performers, she said, has been “incredibly fun,” offering her a unique perspective as both mentor and castmate.
Ultimately, Next to Normal is a show that asks something of its audience. It challenges them to feel, to reflect, and to recognize pieces of their own lives in the story unfolding on stage. While its themes may not be easy, Schmidt believes they are universal.
“Everybody has experienced grief. Everybody has experienced loss in some way, shape, or form,” she said. “I really think everyone can connect with it.”
With its blend of raw storytelling, powerful music, and meaningful community engagement, the production promises to be a memorable—and deeply moving—addition to North Platte’s arts scene.