The Normal Heart - 2011 - Broadway Articles Page 2

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 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.

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!

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!

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 party!

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.

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.