A Voice for Diana | Andrea Strom Steps into the Leading Role of "Next to Normal" with Courage and Care

When Andrea Strom walks onstage as Diana Goodman in Next to Normal, she’s not just playing a part. She’s stepping into one of the most emotionally complex roles in modern musical theater. And for Andrea, it’s not just about the show. It’s about truth.

There are few performers more rooted in Ely than Andrea Strom. And there are few characters as layered, raw, and demanding as Diana. When we began planning this season of Broadway in the Boundary Waters, casting Andrea wasn’t just a decision. It was a promise to ground this production in honesty.

Diana Goodman (Andrea Strom) and Gabe Goodman (Noah Schnabel) share a tender moment.

Most people know Andrea as a co-founder of Crapola Granola and as a creative force in Ely’s artistic and entrepreneurial life. But this role is a departure. Diana is a mother battling bipolar disorder and the ache of unresolved grief. It’s vulnerable work, and Andrea hasn’t shied away from any of it.

“There aren’t many shows that tackle the complexities of life the way Next to Normal does,” Andrea says. “When I first said yes to Diana, I knew I was stepping into something immense.”

She started learning the music back in March. The score is intense and vocally demanding, unlike anything she’s done before. With the support of Music Director Molly Hill Fuller and the full cast, she’s met that challenge with discipline and heart.

But for Andrea, it wasn’t just about learning the notes or memorizing lines. She spent weeks immersing herself in memoirs, interviews, and research about bipolar disorder. Her goal wasn’t to perform Diana. It was to understand her.

“She’s raw and real,” Andrea says. “She doesn’t always make the right choices. But she’s honest. And she holds on to hope. That’s what moves me most about her.”

One line in the show has stuck with Andrea more than any other: “The price of love is loss, but still we pay. We love anyway.”

“That line captures the heartbeat of the story,” she says. “Love asks us to risk. Diana’s journey — and my own journey through her — is about what it means to keep loving, to keep holding on, even when it’s hard.”

There are many scenes in the show that hit emotionally, but one in particular caught Andrea by surprise: the duet “Maybe” between Diana and her daughter Natalie, played by Olivia Sauerberg.

“Olivia’s performance is so honest and vulnerable,” Andrea says. “In that moment, something shifts. It’s fragile and powerful. A moment of connection between mother and daughter that feels like a small healing.”

Despite the emotional heaviness of the role, Andrea says the process has been surprisingly life-giving.

“Singing alongside this cast is a joy. There’s a deep sense of trust and care in the room. That makes the work feel sacred.”

To see a local artist pour so much of herself into a role like this is a gift. Andrea’s performance brings national-caliber storytelling into our shared community space. And it reminds us why stories like Next to Normal matter.

As opening night approaches, Andrea reflects on what she hopes audiences take away.

“I hope people feel what we’ve felt making this. That pain can live next to joy. That healing is never tidy. And that no one is alone.”

In Andrea’s hands, Diana is more than a character. She’s a mirror, a question, and a quiet call to keep going.

Next to Normal runs June 18 through 29 at the Vermilion Fine Arts Theater in Ely. Tickets at www.northernlakesarts.org/tickets.

This production of Next to Normal is proudly presented as part of Northern Lakes Arts Association’s 2025 Broadway in the Boundary Waters season, made possible by the generous support of our sponsors and funding partners.

We gratefully acknowledge Angel and Jeff Carradus, title sponsors of the BIBW season, whose steadfast commitment to the arts in Ely helps make transformative theater possible. Additional support for the season is provided by Midco, Minnesota Power, and a grant from the Donald G. Gardner Humanities Trust, each helping to sustain the vibrancy of local performance and storytelling.

This activity is also made possible by the voters of Minnesota through significant grant support from the Minnesota State Arts Board, thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund. Ongoing operating support is provided by the Arrowhead Regional Arts Council, made possible by a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.