THE NORMAL HEART A REVIEW

The early years of the AIDS epidemic is the the background for Larry Kramer's heartbreakingly brilliant drama "THE NORMAL HEART". When it was first produced Off Broadway 1n 1985 it caused a sensation and ran almost a year. I considered it a benchmark in American Theatre when I saw that memorable first production and it is as gut -wrenching as ever in this explosive
and classic first Broadway showing.
Mr. Kramer focuses his play on Ned Weeks, a gay man trying to cope with the illness and eventual death of his lover and in this highly emotional and high profile role Joe Mantello[making a most welcome return to acting after becoming an award-winning stage director] is almost unbearably heartbreaking, and John Benjamin Hickey is just as good as his lover.
The other outstanding performance is turned in by Ellen Barkin as a wheel-chair confined nurse trying to cope with everything that is happening around her, but the entire cast is so perfect in their roles that watching them becomes an unmitigated joy.
The stage direction is split between Joel Grey and George C. Wolfe and it is as vibrant and riviting as you could want, and David Rockwell's white box set[with it's stunning projections]catches the plays mood perfectly.
"The Normal Heart" may not be for everyone. It's over the top anger and unflinching emotional pull is sure to upset many people but for those willing to take the ride this is as riviting a theatre evening as even a hard to please aisle-sitter could ask for. Go see it.
AT THE JOHN GOLDEN THEATRE 252 WEST 45th STREET N.Y.C.