HBO's TV movie In the Gloaming, set to cablecast April 20, employs the talents of an unusual number of current and former theatre folk, both behind and in front of the camera. Christopher Reeve, a mainstay of New York's Circle Rep both before and after his starmaking turn as Superman, directs the film, which stars three-time Tony-winner Glenn Close, Whoopi Goldberg (Forum), Robert Sean Leonard (Arcadia), David Strathairn (The Three Sisters, Hapgood) and Bridget Fonda.

Leonard plays Danny, a young HIV-positive man who returns to his parents' home to die. His folks (Strathairn and Close) and sister (Fonda) have trouble even talking about his illness, but when the family hires a nurse (Goldberg) to help care for him, the ice begins to break.

The script, based on Alice Elliott Dark's short story, is by playwright Will Scheffer, whose Easter is returning to Off-Broadway April 18 after a hit production earlier this spring. Scheffer's previous plays include Bel Canto, Falling Man, Multiple Personality, and Latenight with Commercial Break.

Even the HBO Special's creative personnel have strong theatre roots. Production designer is Andrew Jackness (Whistle Down the Wind), costumes by Jane Greenwood (Tony nomination for A Delicate Balance) and music by Dave Grusin.

The film is scheduled for its premiere broadcast 9 PM (ET) Sunday April 20 on the HBO cable service.

-- By Robert Viagas