In Sunday's Variety, I have an interview with Alice Ripley, in which she talks about the demands of playing the role of Diana in the touring "Next to Normal." The show parks at the Ordway beginning Tuesday for a two-week run.

Apparently the demands are huge, because Chris Jones, theater critic in Chicago, reports that Ripley has missed a few shows in the Windy City.

leisureblogs.chicagotribune.com/the_theater_loop/2011/05/alice-ripley-proving-a-tad-elusive.html