Today in theatre history: Fiery AIDS activist Larry Kramer's seminal work The Normal Heart opened on Broadway April 27, 2011, cementing its legacy as one of the most important plays written about the AIDS crisis.
Strongly autobiographical, The Normal Heart chronicles one man's attempt to raise awareness during the early days of the AIDS epidemic, to create a support network for gay men who were afflicted and ostracized by wider society. In real life, Kramer founded the non-profit Gay Men's Health Crisis and wrote the play in the '80s as an indictment of the governmental forces who, at the time, were ignoring the epidemic. The Normal Heart first premiered Off-Broadway at the Public Theater in 1985, where it ran for over 200 performances, becoming that theatre's longest-running show. A 2004 revival, again at the Public, starred Ra煤l Esparza.
Directed by Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart played Broadway's Golden Theatre for 10 previews and 86 performances before closing July 10, 2011. The production earned five Tony Award nominations, winning three, including Best Revival of a Play. After each performance, audiences would receive a pamphlet, sometimes passed out by Kramer himself, telling them who the characters in the play was based on and reminding them that AIDS continues to afflict people of all ages and ethnicities worldwide.
Broadway's The Normal Heart starred Joe Mantello as Ned Weeks Ellen Barkin as Dr. Emma Brookner, Patrick Breen as Mickey Marcus, Mark Harelik as Ben Weeks, John Benjamin Hickey as Felix Turner, Luke Macfarlane as Craig Donner/Grady, Jim Parson as Tommy Boatwright, Lee Pace as Bruce Niles, Richard Topol as Hiram Keebler/Examining Doctor, and Wayne Alan Wilcox as David/Felix Turner alternate.
The revival featured scenic design by David Rockwell, costume design by Martin Pakledinaz, lighting design by David Weiner, sound design and original music by David Van Tieghem, production design by Batwin + Robin productions with stage management by Karen Armstrong and Matthew Farrell.
In 2014, a film adaptation, directed by Emmy winner Ryan Murphy, premiered on HBO. Starring Academy Award winner Julia Roberts as Dr. Emma Brookner, the film also featured Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, Matt Bomer as Felix Turner, Taylor Kitsch as Bruce Niles, and Jim Parsons reprising the role of Tommy Boatwright. Mantello played Mickey Marcus.
Look back on The Normal Heart's journey below. To learn about other theatre events that happened on April 25, visit the 半岛体育 Vault.
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