Jayne Baron Sherman/Alexander Fraser

Arena Stage today announced initial casting for its limited engagement of THE NORMAL HEART, which will run June 8 to July 29, 2012 and will coincide with AIDS 2012, the biennial international AIDS conference that returns to the United States for the first time in 22 years.

The Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart will play the final performance of its limited, 12-week engagement this Sunday, July 10 at 7:00 p.m., as scheduled. Produced by Daryl Roth and directed by Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe, The Normal Heart began performances on Tuesday, April 19 at the Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street) and opened to rave reviews on Wednesday, April 27, 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.

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!

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!

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 curtain call, with special appearances by both directors and by playwright Larry Kramer.

The Broadway premiere of Larry Kramer's ground-breaking play The Normal Heart officially opens tonight, 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.

According to the London Times, Elton John and his partner David Furnish are considering bringing THE NORMAL HEART, which opens tonight at the John Golden Theatre, to London's West End.

Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart opens on Broadway tonight, April 27 for a 12-week engagement at the John Golden Theatre. Previews began April 19, 2011.

Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart opens on Broadway on Wednesday, April 27 for a 12-week engagement at the John Golden Theatre. Previews began April 19, 2011. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the production shots!