The Normal Heart 1st Preview- Page 6

[myshikobit]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 2:32pm

I caught the show last Weds. night, and it was doubtlessly the most powerful piece of theatre I've ever seen- the acting was uniformly brilliant and the play was very strong and poignant and well-written and relevant. I had read the play before, but had no idea how much it would move me on the stage. I was just filled with so much rage and sorrow and, most surprisingly of all, hope. I will always be in debt to the entire cast and crew of The Normal Heart- that was theatre at its best.

[SondheimFan5]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 3:16pm

Please nobody take offense to this but I'm just curious: Is everyone in the cast either gay or lesbian?

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:36pm

Openly gay? No.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:43pm

Just because they can play gay doesn't mean they are gay. But if they are that convincing of ways of their character traits, then they are doing their job as an actor.

BTW I'm sure you guys saw this but I thought I'd post anyway

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Photo-Flash-THE-NORMAL-HEART-Production-Shots-20110425
Updated On: 4/25/11 at 04:43 PM

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:49pm

Some of the cast is, but certainly not all. Ellen Barkin has been married twice to men. Lee Pace is either straight or not out of the closet. Mark Harelik is straight as far as I know. I don't think John Benjamin Hickey is gay. And Richard Topol and Wayne Wilcox... no idea. The only ones I know of who have been in relationships with members of the same sex are Joe Mantello, Patrick Breen, Jim Parsons, and Luke MacFarlane.

[scott68]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:52pm

Richard Topol is married with at least one child, I believe.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:55pm

Hickey's been openly gay since at least Cabaret, no? If not LVC. Pace is not publicly out. And neither is Parsons, I believe.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:58pm

How did I miss the memo on John Benjamin Hickey? And while Parsons hasn't necessarily made a public announcement, he's been in a pretty well-publicized relationship with his parter for a while. He was all over the newspapers after his Emmy win about how he proposed to his parter backstage after winning and then that the wedding was called off in December over a disagreement regarding them wanting children.

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:58pm

John Benjamin Hickey is gay.

[751guy]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 4:59pm

Considering how quickly this production came together, opening right before the end of the season, doubts whether or not the cast would be 'off book,' everyone involved has been breathing a sigh of relief since immediately following the first performance that it is blossoming so beautifully and yep, they're still working on it and will until Wednesday's Opening Night. The production is a great testament to Larry Kramer and everyone involved who believes that his voice should be heard on a Broadway stage. Now let's hope people buy tickets and the houses aren't papered or filled with those only wanting $26.50 seats. No matter how important or memorable, THE NORMAL HEART won't be around very long if it doesn't sell tickets.

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:06pm

All of that stuff about Parsons was purely speculation and rumor. He and Pace both live in a glass closet. I believe if both were asked directly, they would answer honestly. The question is, would their publicists allow the question to be asked.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:07pm

I really dont want to start an arguement or anything but the whole thing about Parsons has never been proven and even if you are speaking about the article posted a couple of years ago about this so called engagement to Todd, it was taken down really quickly when HR posted it. Its never been proven and I never assume anything so I'm still neutral about the whole thing. This is one argument I will stay hush, hush about. Been there done that too many times over.

But whatever the outcome (if ever to be one) I would not care. He's a nice guy and very well respected in LA. Updated On: 4/25/11 at 05:07 PM

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:11pm

There are definitely several cast members who are straight and several who are openly gay. Perhaps a few that aren't openly 'out', though it seems like the last production you would want to do on Broadway if you didn't want people asking about your sexuality would be THE NORMAL HEART...

[SonofRobbieJ]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:15pm

Especially when Mantello is yelling in your face 'WE HAVE TO BE OUT! WE CAN'T BE IN THE CLOSET!!!'

It's a little too Rock Hudson...but whatevs. I cut slack cause I, myself, have come up against some nasty sh*t being an out gay actor.

[bjh2114]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:16pm

if you are speaking about the article posted a couple of years ago about this so called engagement to Todd...

Not that it's important, but it wasn't a couple of years ago. It was this past September, less than 8 months ago.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:20pm

Well, whatever. If it were true thing then there would be a media fireball about it and there never was. Not that its important but I went to a taping not too long ago and was given the answer I asked anyway.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:27pm

This isn't 1997 when people come out and are on the cover of TIME anymore, though. Some people don't even come out, they just "are". I don't see what the fuss is.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 5:34pm

It wouldnt even be an issue if someone didn't ask the question upthread. I hate when people assume upon what they learn via internet like the internet is their saving grace and all that is on the net is true. I hate when people act it as a fact when no one can do that. Speculation is one thing, fact is another and until its the latter people need to state it as 'I believe' or 'the rumor is' etc. Not in a factual way.

But I'm done with this particular subject. I look forward to more reviews on TNH. :)
Updated On: 4/25/11 at 05:34 PM

[orangeskittles]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:33pm

It's like the Claymates all over again.

This is Broadway, the most openly gay career field on the planet. People will ask, because this community doesn't ascribe to the Hollywood Don't Ask, Don't Tell glass closet rules. I'm guessing the original poster asked because they thought it would be impressive to have an all-gay cast for the first time, not because they're trying to compose a scandalous tabloid article revealing that -shock- there are gay men on Broadway.

If Jim Parsons can't handle a casual discussion like this was, he shouldn't have come to Broadway, and he especially shouldn't have done this play. But since he did, I'm going to speculate that any discomfort is coming from his fan base, not from him.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:35pm

I didn't even know who the hell he was until I saw the play. Than I remembered seeing him on some previews for that show. Is he REALLY that big of a deal?

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:54pm

You are a New Yorker right? So maybe not there he is but in LA he is pretty big as far as TV shows are concerned. But I've come to realize that theater enthusiasts are completely different from tv aholics so I guess to you he is not that big of a thing but considering he's won an Emmy and GG for outstanding lead comedy actor he is a big deal.

[Jordan Catalano]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 6:55pm

I just don't watch many sitcoms anymore, I guess. Especially not on CBS because that's all you C. BS.

[topherkraz78]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 7:03pm

Then might I suggest seeing his work on Youtube, see him from the light that we see him in. :)

[perfectliar]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 7:04pm

The Big Bang Theory is one of the highest rated sitcoms on the air, behind only Two and a Half Men, and Jim Parsons won both Emmy and Golden Globes in the past year for his performance. So while it may not be as big a deal as if it were someone like Jake Gyllenhaal officially coming out, it would be a big deal nonetheless.

[Pomita]

Posted: 4/25/11 at 7:08pm

Isn't it irrelevant whether the actors are gay in real life or not?

Anyway, it's interesting that detailed questions about a particular actor's performance on this show were apparently rather unwelcome here, but a detailed discussion of the actors' sexuality seems to be relatively acceptable.

@Jordan - Yes, Jim Parsons is a very well-loved and admired TV comedic actor.

@orangeskittles - I love the quote in your signature. Can you please tell me where it's from?