Jonathan Groff Joins HBO's Adaptation of THE NORMAL HEART

Ryan Murphy has officially enlisted Broadway veteran Jonathan Groff for his upcoming adaptation of THE NORMAL HEART on HBO.

According to Entertainment Weekly, Groff has signed on to play Craig, Bruce Niles' first lover. Taylor Kitsch is set to portray Niles.

Groff joins previously announced cast members Mark Ruffalo, Julia Roberts, Matt Bomer, Jim Parsons, and Joe Mantello.

Executive produced by Murphy, Jason Blum (the "Paranormal Activity" series, "The Reader"), Dede Gardner ("The Tree of Life," "Eat Pray Love") and Dante di Loreto ("Glee," HBO's "Temple Grandin"), THE NORMAL HEART tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation's sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical Community fought to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city in denial.

Production is scheduled to begin later this year in New York for a 2014 premiere.

In 1981, writer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the "gay cancer," and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramer's home would lead to the formation of Gay Men's Health Crisis, one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.

Kramer's play debuted at New York's Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.

Besides SPRING AWAKENING and GLEE, Groff also appeared in the Shakespeare in the Park productions of HAIR and THE BACCHAE, the off-Broadway plays THE SINGING FOREST and A PRAYER FOR MY ENEMY. Other credits include GLEE, Ang Lee's TAKING WOODSTOCK, and most recently, in the Starz series BOSS, alongside Kelsey Grammer.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride