It's not often that you'll catch me going to see a "message" play. I usually take my entertainment on the sarcastic, funny or scary side. But, I had the opportunity to see the new revival of The Normal Heart, now playing at the John Golden Theater and couldn't turn it down. I mean, the chance to see this cast (Ellen Barkin, Lee Pace, Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, etc.) who aren't really known for being on the stage was too good to pass up.
To borrow from the Wikipedia summary:
"The Normal Heart is a semi-autobiographical play by Larry Kramer. It focuses on the rise of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City between 1981 and 1984, as seen through the eyes of writer/activist Ned Weeks, the gay Jewish founder of a prominent HIV advocacy group. Ned prefers loud public confrontations to the calmer, more private strategies favored by his associates, friends, and closeted lover Felix Turner, none of whom are prepared to throw themselves into the media spotlight. Their differences of opinion lead to frequent arguments that threaten to undermine their mutual goal."
It's a bit surreal to watch events that took place in my lifetime, that I knew nothing about as a child. My first introduction to AIDS was in 1985, hearing of the death of Rock Hudson and how he died of this disease that was really only associated with gay men. It's truly amazing to watch a frightened group of men try to get help for something that people don't even have a name for.
I think what also adds to the power of the play is that knowing what we've learned in the past 30 years about this disease and how it can affect anyone. How scary it must have been to be in NYC, in those days, with people just dying around you and no explanation as to how or why. Or even knowing how to be tested to know if you've got it. When one character asks if he can be tested to know if he's the one infecting his dying partners, the doctor's only reply is, "I wouldn't even know how."
I called this a "message" play because that's exactly what it is. Playwright Larry Kramer lived through this time in the early eighties and wrote the play based on what he saw and his experience as a founding member of the Gay Men's Health Crisis. This play was written to "get the word out" about this disease that people seemed to want to ignore.
Even though the writing can seem heavy handed, at times, there's no denying the sincerity with which it was written. Having the set be a simple white box with only a few props moved on and off by the cast was a great way to let the words be the focus. Directors Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe were able to wonderfully evoke that sense of fear and urgency from their cast.
Joe Mantello plays the lead role of Ned Weeks, whom Mr. Kramer based on himself. Ned is angry from the start because this mysterious disease is killing his friends and no one else seems to want to help. Mr. Mantello is best known as the director of "Wicked" and "Love! Valour! Compassion!" with 2 Tonys for "Assassins" and "Take Me Out." Here, he does a brilliant job of playing the man who's angry from the start and just gets angrier and more frustrated as the play goes on. It's his anger and frustration that's heart of the play and you're with him the entire time.
Ellen Barkin takes on the role of Dr. Brookner the woman who has seen all these men come and go through her exam room with no explanation for what's going on with them. She has yet to see a single man come through her door with this disease that survives. At one point her own frustration hits it's breaking point in Act Two when she's trying to get more funding for research. Ms. Barkin's delivery of the monologue at this point is one of the most powerful moments in the show. "Why are all the f**king idiots always on YOUR side!" she screams. Another great performance!
Jim Parsons and Lee Pace both make their Broadway debuts here. Mr. Parsons, best known for his Emmy-winning role of Sheldon Cooper on "The Big Bang Theory," brings much needed comic relief to the play as Tommy Boatwright. While Mr. Pace, best known as Ned the pie maker on "Pushing Daisies," takes on the role of Bruce Niles, the man chosen to lead the organization that the men start. His desire to help but fear at being outed himself, makes him want to react in a much quieter and friendlier way. This leads to friction between he and Ned, who prefers aggressive and loud. A great Broadway debut for both of these actors!
But for me, the actor who is the real MVP of the show would be John Benjamin Hickey who plays the role of Felix Turner, Ned Weeks' lover. Felix, who is not part of the organization and isn't dealing with a bureaucratic mess like the doctor, is the one character whom we see simply dealing with the evolution of the disease. Trying to cope with it like everyone else. Mr. Hickey's performance is priceless!
The Normal Heart is not a show I would recommend for a fun night of entertainment. But, it is a truly powerful and thought-provoking piece of theatre. It recently received 5 Tony nominations for Best Play Revival, Best Director and Best Actor, Featured Actress, and Featured Actor for Joe Mantello, Ellen Barkin and John Benjamin Hickey. I'd love to see it win them all, especially for Mr. Hickey. The play is set 30 years ago before this disease even had a name. A lot has changed since then but, this play's impact stays the same.
Until next time...
