THE NORMAL HEART Opens in D.C. Tonight, 6/8

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater produces the 2011 Tony Award-winning production of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, directed by George C. Wolfe. Wolfe, who directed the show's sold-out Broadway engagement last season, mounts the professional D.C.-area premiere of this production, which features returning Broadway cast members Patrick Breen and Luke MacFarlane, among others. Presented by special arrangement with Daryl Roth, The Normal Heart runs tonight, June 8-July 29, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater.

"It is a real privilege for Arena Stage to bring Larry Kramer's work to his native Washington, which I saw in New York in a powerful and masterful production," shares Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith. "Under the guidance of veteran director George C. Wolfe, I believe this important play will inspire D.C. audiences by offering a deep look at a group of people who bravely fought the unknown of the beginning of the AIDS epidemic."

Breen (Broadway's Next Fall), who portrayed Mickey Marcus in the Broadway production, and MacFarlane (Scotty on ABC's Brothers & Sisters), who portrayed Craig Donner/Grady, return to take on new roles of Ned Weeks and Felix Turner respectively. Noted TV actress Patricia Wettig (Holly Harper on ABC's Brothers & Sisters, FOX's Prison Break) will play the paraplegic doctor Emma Brookner.

They are joined by Tom Berklund (Broadway's The Addams Family) as Craig Donner/Grady, Michael Berresse (Broadway's A Chorus Line) as Mickey Marcus, Christopher Dinolfo (Round House Theatre's Next Fall) as David, Christopher J. Hanke (Broadway's How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying) as Tommy Boatwright, Jon Levenson (understudy for Broadway's The Normal Heart) as Hiram Keebler/Examining Doctor, Nick Mennell (Broadway's A Free Man of Color) as Bruce Niles and John Procaccino (Lincoln Center Theater's Blood and Gifts) as Ben Weeks.

"Last year when we did the revival on Broadway it was thrilling to see critics rediscover what a great American play The Normal Heart is, and to see audiences, young and old, respond with such emotion and ferocity to the story," says Wolfe. "I'm so excited to be a part of bringing Larry's astonishing, funny, moving play to D.C. and to The Arena."

Fueled by love, anger, hope and pride, a circle of friends struggle to contain the mysterious disease ravaging New York's gay community in The Normal Heart. Dismissed by politicians, frustrated by doctors and fighting with each other, their differences could tear them apart-or change the world. Hailed by critics as "riveting" (Newsday) and "a great night at the theater" (New York Times), Kramer's masterwork is an outrageous and totally unforgettable look at sexual politics during the AIDS crisis and remains one of the theater's most powerful evenings ever.

"I consider Washington my hometown and it's been exceedingly upsetting to me that it's taken so long for The Normal Heart to be professionally produced there and doubly exciting that Arena is doing it at last," adds Kramer. "This is the most important city for this play. I hope Washington will respond to it as it finally joins with the many productions it's had all over the world."

"The Normal Heart has been a labor of love for me from the first Benefit reading, to our 2011 Broadway Tony Award-winning production, and now here at Arena Stage," contributes Roth. "Having this play in D.C. at this time was very important to me in order that The Normal Heart would be a part of the dialogue during AIDS 2012. It is a testament to Larry Kramer's 'righteous rage' 25 years ago when the play was written that allows us to again engage and touch those who remember, but most importantly, enlighten a younger generation learning their history and legacy."

The Normal Heart is an Affiliated Independent Event of AIDS 2012, the biennial International AIDS Conference July 22-27, 2012 in D.C. The world's preeminent gathering for those working in the field of HIV, as well as policy makers, persons living with HIV and other individuals committed to ending the pandemic, this global conference returns to the United States after 22 years. This also marks the first performing arts event that has ever been affiliated with the international conference. For more information, visit aids2012.org.

In order to spread awareness of the ongoing fight against AIDS, Arena Stage will be holding related events and partnering with organizations throughout the run of The Normal Heart. Sections of the AIDS Memorial Quilt will be on display in the Mead Center, along with images from the HIV and AIDS related collections of the Archives Center at the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History; local clinics and HIV testing providers will have HIV testing vans parked outside the Mead Center on select weekends; panel discussions with guest speakers will follow select matinees to explore the impact of AIDS on our society today; and Arena Stage and the Washington AIDS Partnership will host a benefit performance of The Normal Heart July 23.

The Normal Heart reunites Broadway design team members Set Designer David Rockwell, Costume Designer Martin Pakledinaz, Lighting Designer David Weiner, sound design/original music by David Van Tieghem and projections by Batwin & Robin. Joining the creative team are Restaging Director Leah C. Gardiner, Stage Manager Amber Dickerson and Assistant Stage Manager Kurt Hall.

The 2011 production of The Normal Heart was produced on Broadway by Daryl Roth, Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment in association with Gregory Rae and Jayne Baron Sherman/Alexander Fraser. The 25th anniversary Broadway staged reading of The Normal Heart was held on October 18, 2010, produced by Daryl Roth and directed by Joel Grey.

Future engagements of this production of The Normal Heart will be announced at a later date.

Larry Kramer (Playwright) Co-founder, Gay Men's Health Crisis (world's first HIV/AIDS service organization). Founder, ACT UP (the international network of activists responsible for the development/release of most HIV/AIDS treatments). BA Yale (1957). Film: Women in Love, producer and screenplay (Oscar nomination). Plays: Sissies' Scrapbook, The Normal Heart, Just Say No, The Destiny of Me and A Minor Dark Age. Non-fiction: Reports from the holocaust, The Making of an AIDS Activist and The Tragedy of Today's Gays. Fiction: Faggots and The American People (forthcoming from Farrar Straus). Recipient: Award in Literature from the American Academy of Arts and Letters; first openly gay person to receive a Public Service Award from Common Cause. He and his lover, architect-designer David Webster, live in New York.

George C. Wolfe (Director) Theatre directing credits include Jelly's Last Jam (Drama Desk and Outer Critics awards), Angels In America: Millennium Approaches (Tony and Drama Desk awards) and Perestroika (Drama Desk Award), Bring In 'Da Noise, Bring In 'Da Funk (Tony and Drama League awards), Topdog/Underdog (Obie Award), Twilight: Los Angeles 1992 (Drama Desk Award), Elaine Stritch At Liberty (Tony Award, Unique Theatrical Event), The Tempest, The Wild Party, Caroline Or Change, A Free Man Of Color and The Normal Heart (Drama Desk Award). He is the writer of the award-winning The Colored Museum, directed Spunk (Obie Award), created Harlem Song for the world famous Apollo Theatre and conceived/directed a celebration of the American Musical at the White House. Mr. Wolfe directed the films Nights in Rodanthe and Lackawana Blues, for which he earned The Directors Guild Award, a National Board of Review Award, a Christopher Award and the Humanitas Prize. Additional awards include The Society of Directors and Choreographers' Mr. Abbott Award, The Dramatist Guild's Hull-Warner Award, Actors Equity Paul Roberson Award, The New Dramatist Outstanding Career Achievement Award, The NAACP Lifetime Achievement Award, The Lambda Liberty Award, The Spirit of the City Award, The Brendan Gill Prize, The Distinguished Alumni Award from NYU, a Princess Grace Award for fostering the careers of young artists, a Cultural Laureate Award and a Library Lion. From 1993-2005 he was the Producer of The Public Theatre/New York Shakespeare Festival, serves on The President's Committee For The Arts and The Humanities and was named a living landmark by the New York Landmark's Conservancy.

Daryl Roth (Producer) is proud to hold the singular distinction of producing 7 Pulitzer Prize-winning plays: Edward Albee's Three Tall Women, Anna in the Tropics, How I Learned to Drive, Wit, Proof (Tony Award), August: Osage County (Tony Award), and Clybourne Park. She has produced over 75 award winning productions on and Off-Broadway, including: Edward Albee's The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?, The Play About the Baby and Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?; Bea Arthur on Broadway; Caroline, or Change; A Catered Affair; Closer Than Ever; Curtains; De La Guarda; The Divine Sister; Driving Miss Daisy; Fela!; Irena's Vow; Leap of Faith; A Little Night Music; Love, Loss, and What I Wore; Medea; One Man, Two Guvnors; Salome; The Tale of the Allergist's Wife; The Temperamentals; Thom Pain; Through the Night; Thurgood; Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992; and The Year of Magical Thinking. Her production last year of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart was the recipient of 3 Tony Awards, including Best Revival of a Play. Upcoming: John Grisham's A Time To Kill, adapted by Rupert Holmes; and Kinky Boots, book by Harvey Fierstein, music by Cyndi Lauper.

The Cast of The Normal Heart (in alphabetical order):

Tom Berklund (Craig Donner/Grady) Broadway: The Addams Family (Ancestor, u/s Lurch) and A Chorus Line (Greg, u/s Zach). Regional: Leap of Faith (Ahmanson Theatre), Paper Mill Playhouse, Houston TUTS and Portland Center Stage. TV/film: Enchanted (Disney) and the Academy Awards.

Michael Berresse (Mickey Marcus) Broadway: [title of show] (dir./chor., Obie Award), A Chorus Line, The Light in the Piazza, Kiss Me, Kate, Chicago, The Gershwin's Fascinating Rhythm, Damn Yankees, Guys and Dolls, Carousel, Fiddler on the Roof, A Wonderful Life (concert), Busker Alley (tour) and Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (tour). Off-Broadway: Now. Here. This. (dir./chor.), Forever Plaid and The Cocoanuts. Encores!: No, No, Nanette, Chicago, Call Me Madam and One Touch of Venus. Film: AI and State of Play. TV: Law & Order: SVU, Law & Order: Criminal Intent, Great Performances and Live From Lincoln Center.

Patrick Breen (Ned Weeks) Broadway: The Normal Heart, Next Fall, Brighton Beach Memoirs, Big River. Off-Broadway: Fuddy Meers, The Substance Of Fire, Celebration/The Room, View Of The Dome, Baby Anger, The Hothouse and Life And Limb. Films include: Men In Black, Get Shorty, Cirque Du Freak, Galaxy Quest, Radio, One True Thing, Christmas With The Kranks, Just A Kiss and The Bleeding House. TV: The Good Wife, Nurse Jackie, Kevin Hill, Sex and the City, Law and Order, Will and Grace, CSI, Frasier, 21 Jump Street and Council of Dads (Fox pilot).

Christopher Dinolfo (David) DC: Next Fall (Round House Theatre), King Lear and The Master and Margarita (Synetic Theater), Clybourne Park (Woolly Mammoth) and numerous credits with Shakespeare Theatre Company, The Studio Theatre and Studio Theatre 2ndStage, Folger Theatre, The Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences, The Keegan Theatre and The Maryland Shakespeare Festival.

Christopher J. Hanke (Tommy Boatwright) Broadway: How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying (Bud Frump), Cry-Baby (Baldwin), Rent (Mark) and In My Life (J.T.). NYC: Claude in Hair (The Public's Shakespeare in the Park), Buddy Baxter in Golden Age, Eddie in Indian Blood (LCT), Alvin in The Story of My Life (Manhattan Theatre Club). Tours: Deaf West's Big River (Tom Sawyer) and The Full Monty (Ethan). Regional: The Matchmaker (Barnaby). TV: Three Rivers (series regular), Brothers & Sisters and HBO's Big Love (recurring).

Jon Levenson (Hiram Keebler/Examining Doctor) Broadway: The Normal Heart. Off-Broadway: Harold in The Boys in the Band (Transport Group), The Hairy Ape (Irish Repertory Theatre) and Crime and Punishment (59 E 59). Regional: Orlando in As You Like It, The Baker in Into the Woods (Clarence Brown Theatre) and Treplev in The Seagull (Porchlight Theatre).

Luke MacFarlane (Felix Turner) Broadway: The Normal Heart. Off-Broadway: The Busy World is Hushed, Where Do We Live and Juvenilia. Feature film debut: Bill Condon's Kinsey. TV: Scotty on ABC's Brothers & Sisters, CBC miniseries Iron Road, starring role on FX's Over There and Tanner on Tanner (directed by Robert Altman).

Nick Mennell (Bruce Niles) Broadway: A Free Man of Color. Off-Broadway: Hamlet, Lobby Hero, The Importance of Being Earnest, Misalliance, Macbeth, American Occupation, The Marriage of Figaro, Richard III, Woyzeck, Birds, Odyssey, Three Sisters, The Erotic Nature of Funerals, A Memory of Two Mondays and Web. Film: Friday the 13th, The Lost Tribe, Halloween, My Little Eye, Cold Turkey and Echo's Pond. TV: Southland, Numb3rs and Sins of the City.

John Procaccino (Ben Weeks) Broadway: An American Daughter, A Thousand Clowns, Conversations With My Father and Art. National tour: The Light in the Piazza. Regional: Art, Good Boys and True (Steppenwolf); A Prayer for My Enemy and Down the Garden Paths (Long Wharf Theatre); A Moon for the Misbegotten, All the Kings Men, Arms and the Man and The Singing Forest (Intiman Theatre); Tartuffe, Caucasian Chalk Circle and Long Day's Journey Into Night (Seattle Repertory); and The Night of the Iguana, Dinner With Friends, Side Man and The Crucible (ACT Theatre). Film and TV: The Runner Stumbles, Three Fugitives, Born to Be Wild, Law & Order, NYPD Blue, Northern Exposure and Rose Red.

Patricia Wettig (Emma Brookner) Circle Repertory Company: The Woolgatherer, A Tale Told, Childe Byron and Innocent Thoughts, Harmless Intentions. Other stage credits: Jon Robin Baitz's A Paris Letter (Kirk Douglas Theater, world premiere), The Diviners, Angels Fall, The Dining Room, Crimes of the Heart, Nightfall, Three Sisters and A Streetcar Named Desire. New York Stage and Film, playwright: Headlong, A Life Imagined, F2M and My Andy (finalist for the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize). Film: City Slickers I &II, Guilty by Suspicion, Bong Water and Lackawanna Blues, directed by George Wolfe. TV: Brothers & Sisters (Holly Harper), Prison Break, Alias, St. Elsewhere, The Langoliers and thirtysomething (three Emmy Awards and a Golden Globe Award).

For up-to-date information on related events visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/the-season/productions/the-normal-heart/events/.

TICKETS: Tickets for The Normal Heart are $40-$94, subject to change and based on availability, plus applicable fees. For information on savings programs such as student discounts, Southwest Nights, Pay-Your-Age tickets, HOTTIX and Hero's Discounts, visit arenastage.org/shows-tickets/single-tickets/savings-programs/. Tickets may be purchased online at arenastage.org, by phone at 202-488-3300 or at the Sales Office at 1101 Sixth St., SW, D.C.

The show runs Sunday, Tuesday & Wednesday at 7:30 p.m., Thursday, Friday & Saturday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday & Sunday at 2:00 p.m., and weekdays at noon on Tuesday, 7/3; Wednesday, 7/11 and Wednesday, 7/18

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is only one block from the Waterfront-SEU Metro station (Green Line). When exiting the station, walk west on M Street toward Sixth Street, and the main entrance to the Mead Center is on the right.

Arena Stage at the Mead Center for American Theater is a national center dedicated to the production, presentation, development and study of American theater. Under the leadership of Artistic Director Molly Smith and Executive Producer Edgar Dobie, Arena Stage is the largest company in the country dedicated to American plays and playwrights. Arena Stage produces huge plays of all that is passionate, exuberant, profound, deep and dangerous in the American spirit, and presents diverse and ground-breaking work from some of the best artists around the country. Arena Stage is committed to commissioning and developing new plays through the American Voices New Play Institute. Now in its sixth decade, Arena Stage serves a diverse annual audience of more than 300,000.

Follow Arena Stage on Twitter @arenastage or twitter.com/arenastage and mention The Normal Heart with #ASHeart. Find Arena Stage on Facebook at facebook.com/arenastage.

To post a comment, you must register and login.