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Nikki Valdez Returns to Theater With "Next to Normal"

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<div style="text-align:center"><strong></strong><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739340400416NIKKI valdez next to normal.jpg" class="fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"/><span class="fr-inner">Nikki Valdez | Photography by Bimpoman</span></span></span></div><p><strong>Nikki Valdez</strong> is a staple in television and films. From her beginnings in <em>Home Along Da Riles </em>to her more recent appearances in <em>Unbreak My Heart</em> and <em>Pamilya Sagrado</em>, she has given life to diverse characters throughout her decades-long career in show business. This year, however, she steps on a different stage—which, in a way, is a comeback of sorts for her. </p><p>Before the actress enjoyed the mainstream limelight, her roots can be traced to theater. Before her TV debut, her first-ever performance was for a stage play by Gantimpala Theater Foundation. With stage performance as her first love, she entered show business with singing as her goal. But, as she pointed out, life had other plans for her—and Nikki eventually found herself a mainstay in acting.</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739340508236Prev Nikki-Floyd-19.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photography by Loreta Arroyo</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>And so, to be back doing this cherished side of hers is a welcome challenge—one that feels like a homecoming. “When people say, ‘Welcome back, Nikki…,’ I really feel the happiness that they have for me. <em>Kasi alam nila na </em>this is what I first loved doing. And I&#x27;m just really happy to be performing in front of a live audience again,” the thespian told <strong>Metro.Style</strong>. “<em>Iba talaga</em> ’<em>yung</em> feeling, ’<em>yung</em> connection with the audience. Especially with this kind of material.”</p><p>Playing the role of <strong>Diana Goodman</strong> in the Tony Award-winning musical “<strong>Next to Normal</strong>,” the veteran actress marks her return to theater after 14 years. After hearing about the auditions, she immediately checked the material and was convinced to try. It’s been so long since her last stint in a stage play, so she thought it was high time to “do something like ‘Next to Normal’ in my lifetime.” “Next to Normal” is about Diana, a mother who&#x27;s struggling with bipolar disorder, grappling with depression and grief.</p><p>It was a comeback like no other. During the preview night of the musical, we witnessed how Nikki’s performance drew audiences in with how she captivated and made them feel her character’s pain. “We [the cast] have a purpose for being there onstage for the people who are going to watch the musical,” she said. “It&#x27;s not a simple role to take on. But, <em>sabi ko nga</em>, when I told myself na I wanted to do it, I had to commit 500% to doing it.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739340693376DSC09439.JPG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Photography by Lance Bersamina</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>Her dedication to being Diana Goodman onstage clearly showed. From an audience point of view, her portrayal was natural, her raw emotions palpable. Having the ability to make audiences emotional and elicit that kind of reaction can’t be done overnight. The actress had to take extra measures to ensure she belts her part flawlessly. Concerned about her hoarse voice, her first thought was to seek a voice doctor. Nikki found that her condition was congenital and that there was nothing wrong with her vocal cords. “It&#x27;s just that when you’re <em>paos</em>, you have to prepare and make more effort in releasing your voice. When I heard the music, <em>sabi ko</em>, I wanted to do the musical. <em>Pero</em> the question was, ‘<em>Kaya ko ba</em>?’” she reflected.</p><p>After the voice consultation was taken care of, Nikki dove into studying the intricacies and nuances of her character. She and her cast mates were given some warm-ups—from watching films to observe how people with mental conditions navigate day-to-day life to learning about medication and their interactions with people surrounding them. Moreover, to further raise awareness, they included professionals in the fold. “<em>Nag</em>-invite <em>sila ng</em> resource persons—a psychiatrist, psychologist, and mental health advocates—to just really get us into and let us know what we are getting into and going to do,” the actress revealed. “It&#x27;s really not just singing and performing or acting.”</p><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739341148571DSC09218.JPG" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Nikki Valdez and her &quot;Next to Normal&quot; cast mate Benedix Ramos | Photography by Lance Bersamina</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><div style="text-align:center"><span class="fr-img-caption fr-fic fr-dib" style="width:700px"><span class="fr-img-wrap"><img src="https://od2-image-api.abs-cbn.com/prod/editorImage/1739340906051Prev Nikki-Floyd-17.jpg" style="width:700px" class="fr-fic fr-dib"/><span class="fr-inner">Nikki Valdez and her &quot;Next to Normal&quot; castmate Floyd Tena | Photography by Loreta Arroyo</span></span></span></div><div><br/></div><p>While she believes there’s no small or big role and is always prepared for whose shoes she’ll fill, Diana Goodman definitely holds a special place in her heart. Nikki shared that this is her most challenging role to date, but it’s a challenge she embraced, making her more intentional in choosing projects. As she stars in <strong>The Sandbox Collective</strong>’s first offering for 2025, Nikki looks forward to other opportunities in theater. </p><p>“After opening, <em>niloloko nila ako</em>, ‘<em>O</em>, <em>ano </em>Nikki, <em>susunod na ba tayo ng</em> musical?’ <em>Sabi ko</em>, wait lang!” she laughed. “But yeah, hopefully, it will open the doors again to good projects with regard to my singing and performing.”</p><p>“For now, I’d like to be in my here and now,” Nikki ended with a smile.</p><div><br/></div><div><iframe class="instagram-media instagram-media-rendered" id="instagram-embed-1" src="https://www.instagram.com/p/DF48ypUtYLN/embed/captioned/?cr=1&amp;v=14&amp;wp=971&amp;rd=https%3A%2F%2Fod2-workbench-web.abs-cbn.com&amp;rp=%2F#%7B%22ci%22%3A1%2C%22os%22%3A4951400.3%2C%22ls%22%3A3765.7000000000116%2C%22le%22%3A4465.700000000012%7D" allowtransparency="true" allowfullscreen="" frameBorder="0" height="1140" data-instgrm-payload-id="instagram-media-payload-1" scrolling="no" style="background:white;max-width:540px;width:calc(100% - 2px);border-radius:3px;border:1px solid rgb(219, 219, 219);box-shadow:none;display:block;margin:0px 0px 12px;min-width:326px;padding:0px"></iframe></div><script async="" src="//www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script><div><br/></div><div><strong><em>“Next to Normal” will run until February 23 at Power Mac Center Spotlight ⁠Blackbox Theater in Circuit Makati⁠. Tickets via Ticket2Me - </em></strong><a href="https://ticket2me.net/sandboxn2n" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>ticket2me.net/sandboxn2n</em></strong></a><strong><em>⁠. For information on case schedules and more, follow The Sandbox Collective on Facebook, Twitter, and Tiktok or check out their website </em></strong><a href="https://www.thesandboxco.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank"><strong><em>www.thesandboxco.com</em></strong></a><strong><em>.</em></strong></div><div><br/></div><p>Lead photo by <strong>Bimpoman</strong></p>

<p>Nikki Valdez looks forward to more projects in the theater scene while embracing the "here and now" with the musical "Next to Normal."</p>

Nikki Valdez looks forward to more projects in the theater scene while embracing the "here and now" with the musical "Next to Normal."

Nikki Valdez Makes a Powerful Theater Comeback With 'Next to Normal'

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Nikki Valdez Makes a Powerful Theater Comeback With 'Next to Normal'

Mariel Abanes

Published February 12, 2025 02:00 PM PHT

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Updated February 12, 2025 02:31 PM PHT

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