Starry Normal Heart Reading Plays the Walter Kerr Theatre Oct. 18

By Andrew Gans
18 Oct 2010

Glenn Close
Glenn Close

A 25th anniversary staged reading of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart, directed by Joel Grey, will be presented at the Walter Kerr Theatre Oct. 18 at 7:30 PM.

Daryl Roth produces the reading, which benefits both the Actors Fund and Friends in Deed.

Playing the central role of Ned Weeks is Tony-winning director Joe Mantello, who is making his first stage appearance since he starred in Angels in America on Broadway in 1994.

The cast also includes Victor Garber, Jason Butler Harner, John Benjamin Hickey, Jack McBrayer, Michael Stuhlbarg, Patrick Wilson and Tony winner Glenn Close in the role of Dr. Emma Brookner.

Director Grey starred in the original production of The Normal Heart at The Public Theater, in which he played Ned, based semi-autobiographically on playwright Kramer. (Grey succeeded Brad Davis, who originated the role.) The Normal Heart focuses on "the terrifying early years of the AIDS epidemic in New York and the criminal silence of official America in dealing with it."

A similar reading was recently held at Westwood's Geffen Playhouse.

Regular tickets range from $75-$150. VIP tickets, which include premium seating, an invitation to a private after-party with the cast and a special listing in the souvenir program, range from $500-$1,000. Tickets can be purchased by phone at (212) 221-7300, ext. 133.