Markki Stroem in Next To Normal

After gaining national attention in Pilipinas Got Talent, finalist Markki Stroem  will make his professional stage debut as Henry in Atlantis Productions’ highly-anticipated staging of the Pulitzer and Tony Award winning musical Next To Normal which opens on March 11 at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium, RCBC Plaza, Makati.

Markki Stroem will make his professional stage debut as Henry in Next To Normal

The multi-talented Filipino-Norwegian instrumentalist and vocalist is thrilled to be joining the Philippine theater scene in the groundbreaking rock musical that explores how one suburban household deals with crisis. Ben Brantley, in his New York Times review, raved, “Next To Normal does not qualify as your standard feel-good musical. It is something much more: A feel-everything musical.” Next To Normal, with music by Tom Kitt and book and lyrics by Brian Yorkey, won three Tony Awards and the 2010 Pulitzer Prize for Drama.

Next To Normal recently concluded its hit Broadway run and continues to run on tour. The Manila production is the first licensed English language production followed by an Australian production in April. The license is made possible through Music Theatre International.

Director Bobby Garcia, fresh of the critical success of his Manila and Singapore staging of Stephen Sondheim’s A Little Night Music, will be directing Next To Normal and says, “Markki came into audition for Next To Normal and we immediately knew we had found our Henry. He is an honest, truthful young performer with a remarkable singing voice. He is also passionate about theatre, which is a rarity in young performers these days. We are thrilled he will be making his professional stage debut in Next To Normal. He is a welcome addition to the theater scene!”

Even if his star is fast rising in mainstream showbiz, Markki has always been in love with musical theater and couldn’t believe he landed the role of Henry. He says, “As an avid rock musical fan, having followed shows such as Spring Awakening and Rent, I am greatly honored to have landed a role in Next To Normal. I remember when my co-manager Ms. Mariolle Alberto told me about the role in the play, and asked me if I wanted to audition for the show. I automatically agreed and auditioned for the part. Landing the role of Henry with such a great cast, including Menchu Lauchengco-Yulo and Jett Pangan, I am ecstatic to start working on the project! The musical is so powerful and controversial in so many ways, it is going to be a challenge for a professional theater rookie. Although this is the case, I enjoy challenges and I am excited to take part in this exciting show!”

He says that Henry in Next To Normal was one of his dream roles. Other dream roles in musical theater include Melchior in Spring Awakening, Roger in Rent, Benny in In The Heights, Fiyero in Wicked, Pippin in Pippin, Joseph in Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, and Chris in Miss Saigon.

But after Next To Normal Markki continues with his fast-rising showbiz career which will include releasing an album later in the year. Markki says of his showbiz dreams, “My dreams in showbiz are to create great relate-able songs, perform my best every time on stage to entertain my audience and to always be passionate about what I am doing.”

No doubt with Next To Normal and his numerous showbiz commitments, Markki is well on his way to making his mark in the Philippine Entertainment industry.

For tickets to Next To Normal,  visit Atlantis Productions or call 892-7078 or 840-1187.