[Paula Winicur is a marriage and family therapist licensed in Connecticut and New York, with a private practice in New Canaan.]
Long known for its warmth, friendly vibe and strength of community, New Canaan was monikered in the late 1800s as the Next Station to Heaven; all attributes that continue to characterize it today.
But our idyllic hamlet and its residents are not immune to tragedy. The strength that sets New Canaan apart from other towns is the compassionate consideration that unifies this community to rally around those affected by hardship. It has both the heart and the resources to help people make sense of suffering, and the community spirit and commitment to neighborly responsibility to generate support for those facing adversity, helping them feel less alone in their struggles. Examples of this resilience and care abound.
Building Community from Adversity
When he lost his son Evan to an overdose in 2015, former New Canaan resident Paul Reinhart founded the New Canaan Parent Support Group (NCPSG) as a way of locally giving tribute to his son. Since 2016, the NCPSG has held hundreds of support meetings, as well as educational events and vigils to support families facing substance use and mental health challenges.
After the untimely death of a beloved high school senior in 2024, a grass roots movement grew up in support of his family and friends with the tag line, “We Don’t Worry Alone” to remind our teens that they are never alone, no matter what they may be facing.
And in honor of Suicide Prevention Awareness month last October, Devon Suozzi, LCSW from The MindWell Center joined forces with New Canaan Moms and New Canaan CARES for the first annual Hope Rocks: A Community United. This two-day event at New Canaan Library brought together community residents of all ages to paint rocks with uplifting messages of hope, which were then placed around town to spread encouragement. About her reasons for creating it, Devon says, “Bringing people together for events like this is such a great opportunity to maximize the potential of our wonderful town and the care we have for one another.”
All the World’s A Stage…
Clockwise from top-left: Tom Kitt, Gabi Carrubba, A.J. Shively and Elizabeth Stanley. Contributed
Into this bolstering environment enters the Connecticut Stage Company or “CSC.” Lorah Haskins and Kate Simone founded CSC in 2023, as a nonprofit with a mission to provide quality theatrical performances with and for the community. With extensive backgrounds in theater, both Lorah and Kate recognize the importance of bringing live theater to audiences who may not have a chance to see it otherwise, often in unconventional ways. Lorah explains, “out of necessity due to our small but wonderful library space, we began producing what we call ‘staged concerts,’ and quickly discovered the power of these pared-down productions.” With minimal costumes and props, the actors have their scripts on hand for reference. “All we need is this extraordinary music and story, sung and told by incredibly talented Broadway and New York City performers, to create a beautifully intimate experience for our audiences.”
Still in its nascent years, CSC strives to curate a mix of shows that audiences might recognize, as well as lesser-known ones they hope will become favorites. “Theater serves many purposes,” says Lorah. “We have found shows that serve to connect our community, and also some that are pure joy, which is so desperately needed these days.”
As New Canaan Community Foundation grant recipients, the founders saw how dedicated New Canaan is to the mental and behavioral health of its residents. “Seeing the importance this town places on providing those types of resources,” Kate says, “we knew we needed to produce Next to Normal, and that we needed to do it in May, for Mental Health Awareness month.”
“Until you name me, you can’t tame me.”
The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning show Next to Normal hit Broadway in 2009 with a riveting pop-rock score that accompanies a powerful story exploring themes about challenging family dynamics, mental illness, teen pressure and anxiety, suicidal ideation, and the grief of losing a child. Says Lorah, “this production will be performed by two Tony-nominated actors, Elizabeth Stanley and A.J. Shively, and four other Broadway performers, whose undeniable talents are sure to bring this story to light with the care it deserves.” In producing such a bold show, CSC is highlighting and relying on the power of theater in helping us recognize universal feelings and as a means of connecting to our shared human condition.
The transformative power of being able to grieve in the presence of an empathic person can be truly cathartic in healing trauma, and in finding new ways to forge a brighter path forward. The late Dr. Sue Johnson, renowned therapist and founder of Emotionally Focused Therapy, was known for her assertion that “the greatest gift we can give another person is to help them feel less alone.”
As a panacea to the isolation that can accompany experiencing tragedy, Lorah says, “Even if it can be uncomfortable, it is so important for people to see stories on stage that resonate with them to bring solace, and to see how others are experiencing and coping with similar circumstances.”
The team at CSC are hoping that Next to Normal will make it easier to have difficult but essential conversations. To that end, they are pairing the show with supportive programs for the community, in the same way that local organizations like New Canaan Cares does. Lorah says, “there are great resources out there, and we are here to add to those. This show, and the programming around it, is meant to be an entrée to understanding.” She hopes it will let people know, ‘I, too, can seek help for this.’ Kate adds, “we hope that this production can be a stepping stone, another pathway to support for those who need it.”
Next to Normal Performances and Supplemental Programming
• Next to Normal will run at the New Canaan Library on Saturday, May 2nd, at 7pm, and Sunday, May 3rd, at 2pm. Space is limited, please purchase your tickets in advance at connecticutstagecompany.org.
• Q&A Talkback with composer Tom Kitt will follow the Saturday, May 2nd performance, led by New Canaan’s Bob Doran. The Talk Back is included with your ticket to the Saturday performance.
• What Comes Next? Conversations on Mental Health Inspired by Next to Normal
Wednesday, May 6th at 7pm This moderated panel will be a discussion about the themes of the show, how to process them together, and sharing community resources. Panel will be free, but please register in advance at connecticutstagecompany.org.
Panel:
Hassan Minhas: Adult, Child, and Forensic Psychiatrist
Liz Carr: Mental Health Advocate
Liz Moore: Silver Hill Director of Community Relations
Moderated by Paula Winicur, LMFT: Therapist, Build Your Beautiful Life
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Please note, Next to Normal is not recommended for those under 14 years old. It deals with bipolar disorder, suicidal ideation, electroconvulsive therapy, the death of a child, and challenging family dynamics. Please use your best judgment on whether this show is right for you and your family.
If you or anyone you know is struggling with their mental health or experiencing suicidal ideation, immediate, free, and confidential support is available 24/7 by texting or calling 988 to reach the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline.