The Normal Heart- A Must See

[sparky310]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 2:45pm

I have seen The Normal Heart twice in the last week and will probably see it again. No matter if you are actor/director/playwrigh/designer. You cannot afford to miss this show ..it is a master class in the finest that theatre has to offer.
Raul Esparaza is a magnificent talent. Billy Warlock suprised me and I hope we see more of him on the stage. The rest of the cast, the direction...everything was why I go to the theatre. Do not miss this chance.

[Broadwaylilhead]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 3:15pm

This is indeed a worthwhile production to see- if only for the education you will walk away. There was a lot of information that I was unaware of, even as a gay man. I found that particularly interesting and informative not to mention moving on its own.

Raul Esparaza was definitly worth the price of admission. Billy Warlock was miscast in my opinion. I didn't believe him for a second and for that, failed to move me.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 3:20pm

Yes this is a must-see production. Esparza is outstanding, Gleason outstanding & Kramer...he has his critics,but sadly his Cassandra Visions have come to past. Its interesting having seen it 19 years back & seeing it now....scary how on target it was...it is

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 4:59pm

It was my favorite play this season.
Everyone should see it.

[luvtheEmcee]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 7:38pm

I just found out today that I am going to be able to make it after all! I'm so happy!!!

[SammyGal]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 7:45pm

I saw it once and I'm making my second trip within a week or so.
It is incredible, astounding, a MUST SEE.
There wasn't a dry eye in the house by the end. So moving and powerful, I recommend it to all.

[Chip1012]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 8:20pm

While I enjoyed it I do feel that Raul has no journey. He is the same person when it begins and when it ends. Billy Warlock, while very cute, isn't always believable. Joanna Gleason is terrific though. Oh and my friend got milk on her shoes. lol Updated On: 5/10/04 at 08:20 PM

[robyn525600]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 8:24pm

I am going to see it on Saturday. Can't wait.

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 9:55pm

Bring The Normal Heart to Broadway!
It is a work of art.

[Becky]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 11:38pm

Saw it a week ago, and still can't stop thinking about it. There are no words to express how much I wish everyone could see this play....

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/10/04 at 11:39pm

Yes Becky I would have to agree.
The Broadway Black Widow has spoken.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 9:41am

This is one of the rare shows, which I feel merits mutiple trips. Have now seen it 7 times as of the 1st priview, it only seem to grow and deepen with each performance. The cast, esp. Esparza, are ENORMOUSLY consistant. An overpowering experience.

At least that's my opinion, I may be wrong.

[Ruffian]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 10:32am

No, you are not wrong

Its excellent

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 12:22pm

I too have seen this show twice already. Both times in previews and am planning a third trip back to see what changes they made for opening.
While I was all too aware of the subject matter and of Kramer's early struggle in the AIDS epidemic, I was not prepared for the whallop that show provides. Even 19-20 years after first reported outbreaks, the fear, terror and helplessness of those early days are still palable.
This is one show that should not be missed.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 12:24pm

Almost 23 years. Where are you finding the palpable terror and helplessness these days? Just wonderin.

[Corine2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 12:27pm

Namo,
The widow has started building a web so be careful.
Black Widow Updated On: 5/11/04 at 12:27 PM

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 12:48pm

I was actually posing the question to SNAFU.

[NathanielR]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 2:21pm

I loved it too. Cried and cried. But I can't help but say that everytime Raul started screaming I was cringing thinking "protect the voice! protect the voice!"

great production though.

[twogaab2]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 2:50pm

Not to worry! He uses a falsetto (mix) phase when he "screams" and supports it very well. He uses this in almost every thing I have seen him in and he never sounds horse on repeat performances. A very healthy vocal technique.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 5:39pm

Namo, to answer your question. I am finding a new terror and helplessness in what I see, as a new disregard for the disease.
After living through the eighties, watching friends, colleagues and a lover die, not knowing how it was spread, I find going to clubs and bars around town and seeing twenty somethings engaging in risky behaivor frightening. So many today who have grown up under the spectre of AIDS seem to be throwing caution to the wind, viewing it as a manageable life long illness.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 6:25pm

Well, I had one younger person tell me that what happened to our generation was like a nuclear bomb going off in the middle of our communities as compared to being born after those years, as he and his compatriots were. For guys of that generation HIV is something that has always been there, and is more like an annoying hum in the background. It's easier to get used to an annoying hum (and to ignore it) than it is to ignore a nuclear bomb blast. I thought it was a good analogy for describing two very different perspectives on the same epidemic. Actually, the epidemic is not the same, it has changed a LOT in 20 years.

A prominent HIV researcher who does a LOT of work with young gay men told me that she gets nervous when older guys cluck our tongues and get all up in arms about "the younger generation" ignoring OUR history and points out that young people are hard-wired to have lots of sex. It's genetic. And that tsk tsk tsking em doesn't do anything to help the situation.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 5/11/04 at 9:05pm

Namo, I like that analogy a lot!

Yes the epidemic has changed a lot in the past twenty years. Both in how it is treated, managed and even society's perceptions of it. Hell, even more so in the past 10 years with the new drugs that have been released. I realize that "tsking" isn't going to help. If anything it will do just what my parent's "tsking" about smoking did for me...NOTHING!
The "annoying hum" is still a serious health risk. Knowing the danger, knowing "tsking" won't help, knowing that youth are hard wired for sex, I can only hope that my advice of, "Go out and have as much fun as you want, but PLAY SAFE!" will be taken to heart by those I care about.

[edfu]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 5:04am

Anyone, HIV researcher especially, who can claim that "young people are hard-wired to have lots of sex...it's genetic" has completely missed one of Larry Kramer's main themes in "Normal Heart." And that's why the play is as important today, if not more so, as it was when it was originally staged.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 5/12/04 at 10:13am

FU, I'm talking about a researcher who deals with actual people in the real world, not in reference to The Normal Heart. She was just saying that an older generation clucking their toungues at younger gay men's behavior (when it's convenient for them since the older guys have generally moved through their horny as hell 24/7 stage) doesn't add anything but judgment to the discussion, which tends to shut down the younger guys.

I wrote that in response to something SNAFU wrote. SNAFU seemed to understand what I meant. I hope I cleared my intentions up for you.

[edfu]

Posted: 5/13/04 at 3:18am

To claim that an AIDS researcher in 2004 is dealing with "actual people in the real world" implies that "Normal Heart" does not. Nothing could be further from the truth. All those characters in the play are based on real people, and much of the dialogue is verbatim; I know, because I was present at some of those early
GMHC scenes. Judgment is very much what the play is about. To quote:

Ned (Larry Kramer): What is it exactly you're trying to get me to do?
Dr. Emma Brookner (Dr. Linda Laubenstein): Tell gay men to stop having sex....
Ned: It is a preposterous request.
Emma: It only sounds harsh. Wait a few more years; it won't sound so harsh.
Ned: Do you realize you are talking about millions of men who have singled out promiscuity to be their principal political agenda, the one they'd die before abandoning? How do you deal with thst?
Emma: Tell them they may die....Are you saying you guys
can't relate to each other in a nonsexual way?
Ned: It's more complicated than that. For a lot if guys it's not easy to meet each other in any other way. It's a way of connecting--which becomes an addiction. And then they're caught in the web of peer pressure to perform and perform....You want me to tell every gay man across the country--
Emma: Across the world! That's the only way this disease will stop spreading.
Ned: Dr. Brookner, isn't that just a tiny bit unrealistic?
Emma: Mr. Weeks, if having sex can kill you, doesn't anybody with half a brain stop ****ing? But perhaps you've never lost anything. Good-bye.