Fountain Theatre's THE NORMAL HEART to Host Post-Show Student Talkback, 10/17

This Thursday, Oct. 17, immediately following the 8 p.m. performance of The Normal Heart at The Fountain Theatre, guest speakers Timothy Kordic, Project Manager of the LAUSD HIV/AIDS Prevention Unit, and Nancy Ramos, Positively Speaking Facilitator, will host a special talkback with high school students and audience members about the reality of AIDS in 2013 and living with/preventing the disease. Director Simon Levy will moderate the discussion.

The Normal Heart is Larry Kramer's groundbreaking drama about public and private indifference to the onset of the AIDS crisis, and one man's fight to awaken the world to its urgency. The title of the play is taken from a line in a poem by W.H. Auden.

The Fountain Theatre is committed to reaching as many high school and college students as possible with the show. According to Advocates for Youth, a national organization that champions efforts to help young people make informed and responsible decisions about their reproductive and sexual health, almost 40 percent of new HIV infections in the United States occur in young people ages 13 to 29. This generation is also the first one to have never known a world without AIDS.

"I think it is important to educate our youth on the effect HIV had in the past and why the AIDS movement historically gained so much traction early on," says Kordic. "It now needs to be put into perspective for this generation why the fight is not over."

Special $12 student tickets are available for the Oct. 17 performance only. (Student discount is regularly $25.) Mention "LAUSD" when calling to make reservations in order to get the reduced price. Adult tickets are $34.

The Normal Heart is directed by Simon Levy and features Verton R. Banks, Bill Brochtrup, Tim Cummings, Matt Gottlieb, Fred Koehler, Stephen O'Mahoney, Ray Paolantonio, Lisa Pelikan, Dan Shaked and Jeff Witzke.

The Fountain Theatre is located at 5060 Fountain Avenue (at Normandie) in Los Angeles. Secure, on-site parking is available for $5. The Fountain Theatre is air-conditioned and wheelchair accessible. For reservations and more information, call 323-663-1525 or go to www.FountainTheatre.com.

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