Normal

By Anthony Neilson

The Cherry Artspace, 102 Cherry St. Ithaca, NY

Opening Halloween 2025

Based on the real history of Peter Kurten, known as the Vampire of Dusseldorf, Anthony Neilson's "Normal" is a play that strikes dissonant tones of scintillating theatricality and grim reality as it explores aberrant violence and our fascination with it. The play, set in 1952 and 1931, sees attorney Justus Wehner guiding the audience through his most famous case - attempting to save Kurten from execution. Along the way he's forced to reckon with his own heart of darkness and so are we.

Cast

Peter Kurten - Donovan Stanfield

Justus Wehner - Will Wallace

Frau Kurten - SB Barlow

Creative Team

Director - AJ Sage

Assistant Director - Jeff Hodges

Props Design - Liz Kitney and Kristin Sad

Sound Design - Norm Scott

Projection Art - Jeff Hodges