Next to Normal is a polarizing show that beautifully humanizes and trickily simplifies mental illness. Tom Kitt’s rock score demands big vocals and complex harmonies with extremely careful dynamic calibration as the characters lash out and collapse inward. These thematic musical extremeties lead to some really distracting sound balance issues in the intimate Aki Studio Space where Bowtie Productions’ take on the show is currently running.

Relying perhaps a bit too much on microphones to overpower the struggling band, the cast oscillates between getting lost when their mic doesn’t turn on fast enough during an entrance and blowing out the audience’s eardrums when they reach for the big notes or launch into one of the score’s many counterpoint sequences. Though leading lady April Rebecca and Aveleigh Keller as daughter Natalie certainly have the belt abilities necessary for the roles, the production as a whole is strongest in its quietest moments. Rebecca’s beautiful rendition of the consequential “So Anyway” is a highlight and the character of Dan is played by the ubiquitous Taylor Long who is always at his best in moments of tender sadness.

Anthony Goncharov’s direction unfortunately obstructs some of said quieter moments with over-choreographed physicality and sightline issues while the music direction struggles to stay on time.

Unexpectedly, this production’s greatest asset comes in the form of the underwritten therapist character who surely has heretofore never stolen a production of this musical. Mich Anger brings versatile technique and delicious vocal tone to their performance as Dr. Madden and strikes an insightful balance of distant compassion that fleshes out the archetype into an evocatively recognizable portrait.

Rough direction and technical execution limit the overall impact of this production but, as always, it’s a treat to see a local company take on such challenging work.