Larry Kramer revealed to the Tony Awards audience tonight that director Ryan Murphy started filming THE NORMAL HEART for HBO in New York City today. Jim Parsons and Taylor Kitsch will star in the HBO film, alongside Julia Roberts, Mark Ruffalo and Matt Bomer in the cable network's original movie adaptation of the Tony-winning Larry Kramer play.
The film takes place during the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s. Parsons will play gay activist Tommy Boatwright, the role which he portrayed in the 2011 Broadway revival. Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, described as "a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist." Production is scheduled to begin later this year in New York for a 2014 premiere.
THE NORMAL HEART, whose recent revival closed on Broadway on July 10, 2011, won three 2011 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play, Best Featured Actress in a Play (Ellen Barkin) and Best Featured Actor in a Play (John Benjamin Hickey). The play was also honored as the Best Revival of a Play by the Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle and Drama League Awards and received Drama Desk Awards for Best Ensemble and Best Direction of a Play, along with a Special Citation from the New York Drama Critics Circle.Videos