RTP Season Continues With Larry Kramer's Landmark THE NORMAL HEART

Richmond Triangle Players continues its 25th Anniversary celebration with a production of Larry Kramer's provocative chronicle of the AIDS epidemic, The Normal Heart. A largely autobiographical work taking place at the height of the onset of the disease, The Normal Heart opens Thursday April 19 at 8:00 pm, following a low-priced preview on Wednesday April 18. The production's presenting partner is Health Brigade, a leader in AIDS-related service for almost four decades.

Larry's Kramer's searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague centers on one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Produced to acclaim in all over the world, most recently in a Tony-winning Broadway revival and a highly praised HBO film, The Normal Heart follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials and the gay community. While trying to save the world from itself, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. First produced off-Broadway at The Public Theatre in 1985, The Normal Heart is a central work to the history of the LGBTQ movement and its theater.

Richmond Triangle Players' production of The Normal Heart features some of Richmond's best-known actors: Jim Morgan makes his RTP debut as Ned Weeks and Dawn A. Westbrook returns to RTP in the central role of Dr. Emma Brookner. The rest of the cast includes Andrew Boothby (RTP's Lazarus Syndrome), Joseph Bromfield, Dan Cimo (Buyer & Cellar), Chris Hester (Cabaret, The Boy from Oz), Lucian Restivo (Corpus Christi), Stevie Rice (Perfect Arrangement, The Pride), and Dan Stackhouse.

The production is directed by George Boyd (RTP's High) with a set design by Frank Foster, costumes by Sheila Russ, lighting design by Michael Jarett. and sound design by Lucian Restivo. Ellie McDade-Nelson is the stage manager.

Richmond Triangle Players' performances take place at its home at the Robert B. Moss Theatre at 1300 Altamont Avenue, just northwest of the intersection of the Boulevard and West Broad Street. Reserved seat tickets ($30 for Fridays and Saturdays evenings at 8:00 pm, $28 for Thursday evenings at 8:00 pm and Sunday matinees at 4:00 pm, with discounts for groups and students; $18 for the preview) can be purchased online at RTP's web site at www.rtriangle.org, on RTP's facebook page, or by leaving a message on the RTP Ticket hotline at 804-346-8113. There will be talkbacks with cast following each matinee performance.

The Robert B. Moss Theatre is a 4000-square foot performing arts facility accommodating flexible seating arrangements for up to 90 patrons. The building features fully ADA-compliant access and comfortable restrooms, as well as a generous bar, and catering capability, and is also available for cabaret performances and private events.