“Next to Normal”

Arena Stage is building a new complex in Washington so their plays are now split between the Lincoln Theater in Washington and a former movie theater in Crystal City (under the Crystal City Marriott). Their newest venture is a musical – “Next to Normal” - based on a woman’s nervous breakdown. It’s not pleasant to sit through an overly loud performance that lacks any choreography or talented voices. We left at intermission. The theater is great, however, and Crystal City has been revived with some great restaurants such as Jaleo and Ruth Chris' Steakhouse.