The Necessary Theater stages The Normal Heart

Before it was an HBO original mini-series, it's an autobiographical play by activist Larry Kramer. The Necessary Theater is going to stage it here. The Normal Heart brings us back to the 80's when AIDS is not known yet but it is already spreading.

Topnotch theater actor Bart Guingona will not play the part of activist Ned Weeks but will direct it as well. Joining Bart are the powerhouse cast consist of Richard Cunanan, Topper Fabregas, Red Concepcion, Nor Domingo with Roselyn Perez and making his theatrical debut is TJ Trinidad.

Roselyn Perez, Jef Flores and Bart Guingona in a reading excerpt.

We were given a reading excerpt of the production and I find it really intense because there are quotable lines there that can be powerful. Even though the story is set in New York during the 1980's, it still mirrors the present day setting of our country because of the opposition of the conservative religious community that maliciously suppressed the RH Bill that will give the citizen a choice to use contraceptives and get informed through sex education.

The cast of The Normal Heart

For the actors, this is not just a theatrical production but also advocacy that they can only voiced out through what can they do best. The Normal Heart will be stage on RCBC Carlos P. Romulo auditorium for one weekend only from July 3 to 5. Tickets are available via Ticket at this hotline 891-99-99 or 215-07-88/0917-537-8383. For more theatrical events, follow this blog and like L.E.N.S. blogs on Facebook.

JULIA ROBERTS AND MARK RUFFALO STAR IN BRAND NEW HBO ORIGINAL MOVIE THE NORMAL HEART

HBO Asia material release

 

TO DEBUT IN ASIA MAY 26 ON HBO GO / JUNE 1 AT 10PM ON HBO

 

Matt Bomer, Taylor Kitsch and Jim Parsons also star

PHILIPPINES, MAY 19, 2014 – Directed by Emmy^® winner Ryan Murphy (“Eat Pray Love,” “Glee”) and written by Academy Award^® nominee Larry Kramer (“Women in Love”), adapting his Tony Award-winning play of the same name, THE NORMAL HEART tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, and takes an unflinching look at the nation’s sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical community fight to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city and nation in denial.

Photo courtesy of HBO Asia

 

Starring Academy Award^® nominee Mark Ruffalo (“The Kids Are All Right”), Matt Bomer (“White Collar”), Taylor Kitsch (“Lone Survivor”), Emmy^® winner Jim Parsons (“The Big Bang Theory”) and Academy Award^® winner Julia Roberts, THE NORMAL HEART premieres Monday, May 26 on HBO GO, within 12 hours of its US premiere, and Sunday, June 1 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD, within a week of its US premiere.

 

The film also stars Alfred Molina (“An Education”), Tony Award winner Joe Mantello (“Law & Order”), Jonathan Groff (HBO’s “Looking”), Denis O’Hare (HBO’s “True Blood”), Stephen Spinella (“Milk”), Corey Stoll (“House of Cards”), Finn Wittrock (“Unbroken”) and BD Wong (HBO’s “Oz”).

 

Ruffalo portrays Ned Weeks, who witnesses first-hand a mysterious disease that has begun to claim the lives of many in his gay community and starts to seek answers. Matt Bomer plays Felix Turner, a reporter who becomes Ned’s lover. Taylor Kitsch plays Bruce Niles, a closeted investment banker who becomes a prominent AIDS activist. Jim Parsons plays gay activist Tommy Boatwright, reprising his role from the 2011 Broadway revival. Roberts plays physician Dr. Emma Brookner, a survivor of childhood polio who treats several of the earliest victims of HIV-AIDS.

 

Alfred Molina plays Ned’s older brother, Ben, who is a successful attorney. Joe Mantello plays Mickey Marcus, who is an instrumental member of the Gay Men’s Health Crisis. Jonathan Groff plays Craig, Bruce’s lover, an early victim of HIV-AIDS. Denis O’Hare portrays Hiram Keebler, Mayor Koch’s gay aide. Stephen Spinella plays Sanford, one of Dr. Brookner’s first patients. Corey Stoll portrays presidential senior advisor John Bower. Finn Wittrock plays Albert, a male model. BD Wong portrays Buzzy, a nurse who works with Dr. Brookner.

 

In 1981, writer Larry Kramer hosted a gathering of six gay men and their friends to discuss the “gay cancer,” and to talk about fundraising for research. This informal meeting in Kramer’s home would lead to the formation of Gay Men’s Health Crisis (GMHC), one of the first advocacy groups for HIV prevention and care.

 

Kramer’s play debuted at New York’s Public Theatre in 1985 and was revived in Los Angeles and London, and off-Broadway. The 2011 Broadway revival garnered five Tony nominations, winning for Best Revival, Best Featured Actor and Best Featured Actress.

 

The talented behind-the-scenes team includes production designer Shane Valentino (“Beginners”), director of photography Danny Moder (“Jesus Henry Christ”), editor Adam Penn (“American Horror Story”), costume designer Daniel Orlandi (HBO’s “Game Change”), composer Cliff Martinez (“Drive”) and casting directors Amanda Mackey (“The Proposal”) and Cathy Sandrich Gelfond (“Ronin”).

 

An HBO Films presentation of a Plan B and Blumhouse production in association with Ryan Murphy Productions, THE NORMAL HEART is executive produced by Ryan Murphy, Dante Di Loreto (“Glee”), Jason Blum (the “Paranormal Activity” series), Brad Pitt (“Moneyball”), Dede Gardner (“12 Years a Slave”). Mark Ruffalo co-executive produces; Scott Ferguson (HBO’s “Temple Grandin”) produces.

 

1. THE NORMAL HEART airs in Asia Monday, May 26 on HBO GO, within 12 hours of its US premiere and Sunday, June 1 at 10pm on HBO / HBO HD, within a week of its US premiere. Also available free on HBO On Demand from Monday, June 9.