theatre
that “gay disease.” Prior to being named HIV/AIDS, the disease was known as GRID (Gay-Related Immune-Deficiency). Kramer’s play does a fine balancing act, combing humor and love, along with frustration, hurt and anger for the widespread apathy in the government, media and health
industries.The Normal Heart shows the deep courage and great works many undertook, to fight for the thousands of people suffering and dying. Ion’s Producing Artistic Director Glenn Paris says, “We had been thinking
about doing this play for quite a while. It is a very powerful piece and it stands the test of time. HIV/AIDS is a continuing, world-health crisis. In producing a theatrically strong, powerful and compelling piece, we hope to reach and inspire a new generation of advocates, as well as rekindle the passion of those who have been in this fight since the 1980s.” Staged in Ion’s intimate black box theatre,The Normal Heart has a cast of ten
and is co-directed and produced by Paris and the Executive Artistic Director Claudio Raygoza. The production features Raygoza as the Kramer-like Ned Weeks, Associate Artistic Director Kim Strassburger as Dr. Emma Brookner, Daren Scott in his Ion debut as Ned’s brother, Ben and Paris in multiple roles. In keeping with the spirit of the show, throughout its run, Ion is partnering
with San Diego-based service agencies and health providers such as Christie’s Place, Mama’s Kitchen, the San Diego LGBT Community Center (#bethe- generation) and the UCSD AntiViral Research Center/Lead the Way. Their hope, is to position the production as a forum to heighten awareness around current HIV/AIDS issues and deepen our community’s education about HIV/ AIDS prevention, care and treatment. Each community partner organization will provide audiences with information on their services and lead a post-show discussion at select performances. Paris shared, “My brother passed away in 1992 and I saw this show six years
TURNING ON THE SPOTLIGHT: ION’S 11TH SEASON OFFERS UP
by lisa lipsey The small but mighty Ion Theatre is putting on a revival of the provoca-
tive, Tony Award-winning play,The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer. First produced Off-Broadway in 1985,The Normal Heart has seen over 600 productions worldwide, including the Tony-winning Broadway revival in 2011. An HBO movie, made in 2014 featuring Mark Ruffalo, Alfred Molina, Jim Parsons and Julia Roberts, was honored with multiple Emmy Awards and nominations. Now is your chance to see it live, right here in San Diego. Kramer, a journalist by trade, set the story in New York City at the very begin-
nings of the HIV/AIDS crisis. Kramer’s main character in the play, journalist Ned Weeks, leads a small activist group as they work to end the silence, the prejudice and the care/treatment disparities faced by the gay community. As many might recall, there was a silent turning of heads, as many were quietly encouraged to look away, withholding care and support for people infected by
THE NORMAL HEART
before that, the original production. It was effective and moving, an experience that inspired us to continue and go forward. I feel passionately, more now than ever, that people should see this play. We as a community, value theatre as entertainment, but more than that, it can stimulate, touch, move and provoke us to think, feel, explore and discuss. HIV/AIDS is a crisis that continues and that we can’t ignore, or ever forget; especially in our own community. We must continue to address and grapple with it, to ensure prevention and care for people.” On that note, we atThe Rage Monthly would like to encourage you to join
us in support of our community’s HIV/AIDS organizations! The holidays are coming up, so grab a pie for Thanksgiving in support of Mama’s Kitchen (
mamaskitchen.org), stop by the newly opened Auntie Helen’s Thrift Store and shop for that perfect gift (
auntiehelens.org) or volunteer to cook a dinner at Fraternity House and Michaelle House, San Diego County’s only licensed, sliding-scale housing program for homeless and very low-income people living with advanced HIV/AIDS (
fraternityhouse-inc.org). ‘Tis the season!
The Normal HeartrunsSaturday, November 19 through Saturday, December 17 at Ion’s Black Box Theatre, 3704 Sixth Avenue. For tickets and more information, call 619.600.5020 or go
toiontheatre.com.
NOVEMBER 2016 | RAGE monthly 55
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