The Normal Heart 2011 - Articles Page 1.8

Opened: April 27, 2011
Closing: July 10, 2011

The Normal Heart - 2011 - Broadway History , Info & More

The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller -- as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. First produced by Joseph Papp at New York's Public Theater, the play was a critical sensation and a seminal moment in theater history. So ahead of its time was this play that many of the core issues it addresses - including gay marriage, the healthcare system and, of course, AIDS - are just as relevant today as they were when it first premiered.

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FEATURED REVIEWS FOR The Normal Heart

Larry Kramer, Loud and Clear
5 / 10

Now that AIDS has become a chronic condition rather than a death sentence, Mr. Kramer's play must stand on its artistic merits, not its impassioned sincerity. How does it hold up? Better than I expected, but not as well as I'd hoped. Mr. Kramer portrays himself as a flawed but ultimately heroic figure...that he really did make a historic contribution to the fight against AIDS doesn't make the portrayal any easier to swallow without gagging.

The Normal Heart
9 / 10

In this shattering revival of Larry Kramer's polemical howl of anger and despair, The Normal Heart, the 30 years since the first whispers of what became known as AIDS were heard and ignored evaporate in an instant...marquee value is not the point here; this is a spectacularly well-cast production in which every role has found its ideal interpreter. This is tough, unflinching drama staged and performed by people with a fierce emotional investment in telling this story and keeping this painful history alive for generations inclined to forget.

STAGE TUBE: Cast of THE NORMAL HEART Speaks for Marriage Equality
by Nicole Rosky - June 7, 2011


The Normal Heart made its World Premiere at The Public Theater in 1985 and premiered on Broadway on April 19, 2011 before opening to rave reviews on April 27, 2011. The limited engagement, which stars Ellen Barkin, Patrick Breen, Mark Harelik, John Benjamin Hickey, Luke MacFarlane, Joe Mantello, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons, Richard Topol and Wayne Alan Wilcox, runs through July 10, 2011.

SiriusXM 'Iconography' Series to Feature Larry Kramer Throughout June
by Kelsey Denette - June 3, 2011


AIDS activist Larry Kramer is the featured subject of the next installment of Iconography, an exclusive series that honors the life, career, and impact of iconic personalities on SiriusXM's 24/7 LGBT channel OutQ (channel 108). Iconography: Larry Kramer offers an intimate look at the life and work of playwright, author, public health advocate, and LGBT rights activist.

Photo Coverage: Sardi's Salutes THE NORMAL HEART's Tony Nominees
by Walter McBride - June 3, 2011


This week, Sardi's unveiled caricatures of THE NORMAL HEART Tony Award Nominees Ellen Barkin, John Benjamin Hickey & Joe Mantello with George C. Wolfe and BroadwayWorld.com was there!

THE NORMAL HEART Extends '30 for $30' Special
by Nicole Rosky - June 2, 2011


Last week, the acclaimed revival of The Normal Heart offered a special '30 for $30' night to help introduce Larry Kramer's powerful and important play to a new generation. Based on the success of the evening and the young people that filled the show's audience on May 26th, producer Daryl Roth announced today that the show will extend its '30 Under $30' discount for all Thursday performances in June (June 2, June 9, June 16, June 23, June 30).

STAGE TUBE: Elton John, Cheyenne Jackson, et al. on THE NORMAL HEART
by Nicole Rosky - June 2, 2011


The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller -- as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. First produced by Joseph Papp at New York's Public Theater, the play was a critical sensation and a seminal moment in theater history. So ahead of its time was this play that many of the core issues it addresses - including gay marriage, the healthcare system and, of course, AIDS - are just as relevant today as they were when it first premiered.

TV: Broadway Beat Tony Interview Special - George C. Wolfe on Why THE NORMAL HEART Touches His Heart
by Broadway Beat - May 29, 2011


The 2011 Tony Award nominees were announced live from the New York Public Library for the Performing Arts in New York City on Tuesday, May 3, 2011. The next day, proud nominees gathered at the Millenium Hotel in Times Square to celebrate and meet the press. Broadway Beat was on hand, of course, to speak with all of the proud nominees. In anticipation of Tony night on June 12, 2011, BroadwayWorld will be bringing you new clips of the stars in conversation each week so be sure to check back! Below, we bring you George C. Wolfe, Best Director of a Play nominee for The Normal Heart. Wolfe gained national recognition with his 1991 musical Jelly's Last Jam, a musical about the life of jazz musician Jelly Roll Morton; after a Los Angeles opening, the play moved to Broadway, where it received 11 Tony nominations and won the Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Book of a Musical. Two years later, Wolfe famously directed Tony Kushner's Angels in America: Millennium Approaches to great critical acclaim, as well as a Tony award. Wolfe also directed the world premiere of the second part of Angels, Perestroika, the following year. Wolfe served as artistic director and producer of the New York Shakespeare Festival/Public Theater from 1993-2004. During his tenure, he created the musical Bring in 'Da Noise, Bring in 'Da Funk, which won him a second Tony Award for direction. Additional credits include Tony Kushner's Caroline, or Change, The Wild Party, Suzan-Lori Parks' Pulitzer Prize-winning play Topdog/Underdog,and a new translation of Bertolt Brecht's Mother Courage and Her Children at the Delacorte Theatre in Central Park starring Meryl Streep, Kevin Kline, and Austin Pendleton.

STAGE TUBE: NORMAL HEART's Ellen Barkin Visits Jimmy Fallon
by Nicole Rosky - May 20, 2011


Star on the NORMAL HEART, Ellen Barkin recently stopped by 'Late Night with JImmy Fallon' to chat about the Broadway revival. Click below to check out the interview!

STAGE TUBE: NORMAL HEART's Jim Parsons Visits THE LATE SHOW
by Nicole Rosky - May 17, 2011


Currently starring in the Broadway revival of THE NORMAL HEART, Emmy-winner Jim Parsons just stopped by 'The Late Show with David Letterman' to chat about Broadway audiances, telethons, and more!

BWW EXCLUSIVE: 2011 Tony Award Interview with John Benjamin Hickey
by Pat Cerasaro - May 14, 2011


With a 2011 Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor In A Play for his magnetic turn in the critically-hailed revival of Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART on Broadway and a leading role on Showtime's THE BIG C co-starring real-life close friend Laura Linney, as well as a busy film career that boats memorable turns in THE REF, ME & MY SHADOWS: LIFE WITH JUDY GARLAND, FLAGS OF OUR FATHERS, the recent remake of THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123 and TRANSFORMERS: REVENGE OF THE FALLEN, John Benjamin Hickey is a very busy man. Nevertheless, he was kind enough to recently take some time out of his beyond busy schedule to talk all about his stage and screen career - including sharing some revealing anecdotes about starring in THE CRUCIBLE with Liam Neeson and Linney, as well as working with the esteemed playwright Arthur Miller himself, in addition to his work in Terrance McNally's LOVE, VALOUR, COMPASSION, Sam Mendes and Rob Marshall's revival of CABARET, and, of course, all about the George C. Wolfe/Joel Grey production of THE NORMAL HEART starring director/actor Joe Mantello that he is participating in now. Plus, we have his thoughts on his recent GOOD WIFE appearance, feelings on the place of political theatre in society today, what roles he would like to take on in the future, his affection for the work of Edward Albee - and much, much more.

Cole Leads THE NORMAL HEART Talkback
by BWW News Desk - May 10, 2011


Producer Daryl Roth announced today that the premiere Broadway presentation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart will host a series of post-show talkbacks, which began Tuesday, May 3.

STAGE TUBE: Elton John and David Furnish Talk NORMAL HEART
by Lauren Wolman - May 7, 2011


THE NORMAL HEART officially opened on Broadway April 27 at the Golden Theatre and earlier this week, received five Tony Award nominations. Elton John and David Furnish recently visited the show and sat down to discuss the relevance of the play which was written by Larry Kramer.

Broadway Beat Tony Interview Special: Joe Mantello!
by Broadway Beat - May 19, 2011


Below, we bring you Joe Mantello, Best Actor in a Play nominee for The Normal Heart. Both a director and performer, Mantello is perhaps best known for his acclaimed direction of Wicked, Assassins, 9 to 5, November, Three Days of Rain, and Glengarry Glen Ross among many others, and his performance as the original Louis Ironson in Angels in America.

Cole Leads Next THE NORMAL HEART Talkback
by Gabrielle Sierra - May 5, 2011


Producer Daryl Roth announced today that the premiere Broadway presentation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart will host a series of post-show talkbacks, which began Tuesday, May 3.

Photo Flash: THE NORMAL HEART Presents $10,000 Check to Freedom to Marry
by Kelsey Denette - May 4, 2011


If 10,000 people 'Liked' THE NORMAL HEART's Facebook page (Facebook.com/TheNormalHeart) before its April 27, 2011 opening night, The Normal Heart pledged to donate $10,000 to Freedom to Marry, the campaign to win marriage for same-sex couples nationwide.

Cole, Jackson, Rapp Lead THE NORMAL HEART Talkbacks, Beginning Today
by BWW News Desk - May 3, 2011


Producer Daryl Roth announced today that the premiere Broadway presentation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart will host a series of post-show talkbacks, beginning Tuesday, May 3.

TV: Broadway Beat at THE NORMAL HEART Opening
by Broadway Beat - April 28, 2011


The Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart officially opened last night, Wednesday, April 27, at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). The limited, 12-week engagement, directed by Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, began performances on Tuesday, April 19. Broadway Beat was on hand to celebrate and speak to the stars!

Photo Coverage: THE NORMAL HEART Red Carpet
by Walter McBride - April 29, 2011


The Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart officially opened last night, Wednesday, April 27, at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). The limited, 12-week engagement, directed by Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, began performances on Tuesday, April 19. Here are pictures of the stars in attendance walking the red carpet!

Photo Coverage: THE NORMAL HEART Opening Night Party
by Walter McBride - April 28, 2011


The Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart officially opened last night, Wednesday, April 27, at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street). The limited, 12-week engagement, directed by Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, began performances on Tuesday, April 19. Here are shots of the show's opening night party!

The Normal Heart FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of The Normal Heart have there been?
The Normal Heart has had 4 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1985, Off-Broadway which opened in 2004, Broadway which opened in 2011 and US Tour which opened in 2012.
What Tony Awards has The Normal Heart been nominated for?
The Normal Heart has been nominated for several Tony Awards. It has been nominated for Best Direction of a Play for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe. It has also been nominated for Best Revival of a Play for Daryl Roth, Paul Boskind, Martian Entertainment, Gregory Rae, and Jayne Baron Sherman/Alexander Fraser.
What Tony Awards has The Normal Heart won?
The Normal Heart has won several Tony Awards, including Best Direction of a Play for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe. It also won Best Revival of a Play for Daryl Roth, Paul Boskind, Martian Entertainment, Gregory Rae, Jayne Baron Sherman, and Alexander Fraser. These awards recognize the exceptional direction and revival of the play, showcasing its impact and success in the Broadway industry.
What awards has The Normal Heart been nominated for?
The Normal Heart has been nominated for several awards. Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe were both nominated for Outstanding Director of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards. The show itself received a nomination for Outstanding Ensemble Performance at the Drama Desk Awards. It was also nominated for Outstanding Revival of a Play at the Drama Desk Awards and the Outer Critics Circle Awards. The New York Drama Critics Circle Awards gave the show Special Citations. David Rockwell and Batwin & Robin Productions, Inc. were both nominated for the Hewes Design Award. Ellen Barkin and Jim Parsons received Performance awards at the Theatre World Awards.
What awards has The Normal Heart won?
The Normal Heart has won several awards, including Outstanding Director of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) for Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe. It also received the Outstanding Ensemble Performance Special Awards (Drama Desk Awards) and was recognized as Outstanding Revival of a Play (Drama Desk Awards) and Outstanding Revival of a Play (Outer Critics Circle Awards). The show also received Special Citations from the New York Drama Critics Circle Awards. Additionally, The Normal Heart won the Hewes Design Award (The Hewes Awards) for David Rockwell and Batwin & Robin Productions, Inc. It also received Performance awards from the Theatre World Awards for Ellen Barkin and Jim Parsons.

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