Joel Grey, Stephen Spinella & More Join Cast of HBO's THE NORMAL HEART

HBO has announced that BD Wong (M. Butterfly), Denis O'Hare (Take Me Out), Joel Grey (Cabaret, Anything Goes), Alfred Molina (Red), Corey Stoll (A View from the Bridge), Finn Wittrock (Death of a Salesman) and Stephen Spinella (Angels in America) have joined the cast of Ryan Murphy's upcoming film adaptation of Larry Kramer's THE NORMAL HEART.

The historic drama is scheduled to premiere on the cable network in 2014. Production on the project began in June on location in New York City. Grey co-directed the show on Broadway.

The actors join previously announced cast members Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, Julia Roberts as Dr. Emma Brookner, Matt Bomer as Felix Turner, Jim Parsons as Tommy Boatwright, Taylor Kitsch as Bruce Niles, Joe Mantello as Mickey Marcus, Jonathan Groff as Craig, Bruce Niles' first lover.

Executive produced by Murphy, Jason Blum (the "Paranormal Activity" series, "The Reader"), Dede Gardner ("The Tree of Life," "Eat Pray Love") and Dante di Loreto ("Glee," HBO's "Temple Grandin"), THE NORMAL HEART tells the story of the onset of the HIV-AIDS crisis in New York City in the early 1980s, taking an unflinching look at the nation's sexual politics as gay activists and their allies in the medical Community fought to expose the truth about the burgeoning epidemic to a city in denial.

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, 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.

Photo Credit: Walter McBride / WM Photos