Seven Shows in Three Days (Including the Best Production I've Ever Seen: The Normal Heart)

[breathyfemalevocal]

Posted: 5/4/11 at 11:22pm

4/29, 8pm, Golden Theater: The Normal Heart
Five days later I am still in awe of what I witnessed. I've seen some amazing performances in about half of the theaters on Broadway and many tour companies, yet nothing compares.

I had never read the play and I attended mainly due to word-of-mouth from this message board and glowing reviews elsewhere. For the first time ever a deserving theater experience left me unable to go wild with applause or scream the platitudes of approval at the end. I simply wept, my upper body heaving and my chest shuttering as I tried again and again to control myself with little success. I stood from my front row mezzanine seat for many minutes, my partner at my side, using all of my energy to gently clap at the marvelous actors that I viewed through my tears. I hugged strangers beside and around me who were equally moved. It was the most intimate moment of my theater going life.

This play was for me the ultimate in theater. The words grab you and shock you and make your eyes stay wide open even when you want to look away in disbelief at how people can treat one another.

The actors are marvelous, Joe Mantello leading the way. I feel so honored to have seen him play the role he self-proclaims to have desired for years. Sorry for the cliche, but he becomes Ned Weeks. He is beautiful to watch and his portrayal is a lesson in fortitude and diligence, compassion and directness. John Benjamin Hickey is close to his equal, Ellen Barkin is superb, the wonderful Jim Parsons actually steals some scenes as the most likeable "bitch" I've ever seen, and Patrick Breen was excellent. There was really no weak link.

The simple and stark stageing offers surprises throughout that guide you chronilogically through the story while continually heightening the emotional payoff. I won't give away details, but the effects used are beautiful and haunting.

So, I sat, I watched, I felt, I cried, I thought and continue to think and remember. Sometimes things and loved ones leave you in life that create a new void; this performance on this one night has attached itself to me as an "addition" in my life. I couldn't be more thankful.

PS: The actors at stage door were so wonderful. Most stopped for signatures and pics. I was still crying, though with more control. Joe Mantello, Jim Parsons (he hugged me), and John Benjamin Hickey were particularly personable, talking at great length with fans and really listening to what they were saying. All I really wanted to say was thank you for what they had just given. An truly unforgettable evening.

I also saw the final performance of La Cage aux Folles (absolutely exquisite!), Anything Goes (wonderful), Book of Mormon (funny, original), Priscilla (less than expected, but Tony Sheldon's performance is not to be missed-happy if he gets the Tony), and two nights of Sleep No More (unique and fascinating, better the 2nd time with gained insight from the 1st). It was quite a trip.

[Dollypop]

Posted: 5/4/11 at 11:29pm

Another reason for me to plotz!

[uncageg]

Posted: 5/4/11 at 11:59pm

I saw The Normal Heart this evening. It took me some time afterwards to pull myself together. The cast looked totally drained at the curtain call. Great performances all around and barkin and Montello deserved those nominations. Barkin's monolouge in Act II was incredible and Montello was just great all the way through.

[dramamama611]

Posted: 5/5/11 at 3:29am

Cannot WAIT for next weekend to see this. Too far away after seeing another review like this!