Regional Reviews: Florida - West Coast The Normal Heart Also see Bill's reviews of Two Trains Running and Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike
Central character Ned Weeks is based on author Larry Kramer. Many years ago I traveled to the University of New Hampshire's Durham Campus to hear Mr. Kramer speak. I was completely struck by the intensity of his angerit was like being hit with the negative energy of a hurricane or tornado. Perhaps he did not see himself quite the way I and my companions on that long ago evening did, because the character in the play, a ferocious fighter, dogged to the point where he turns off many around him, is toned down from the real Larry Kramer. What freeFall and Al May give us is a very well acted, superbly directed production of The Normal Heart. freeFall's artistic director is cast in the role of Ned Weeks and he gives a very strong performance. So do all of the rest of the cast, including Roxanne Fay as Dr. Emma Brookner, Jim Sorensen as Bruce Niles, Larry Alexander as Mickey Marcus, Dick Baker as Tommy Boatwright, and Justin Gordon as Felix Turner. Director Larry Silverberg has brought a few individual touches: a candle burns on a table, stage right before the play begins and through the opening scene. I learned from a video available on freeFall's website that this is the yahrzeit candle which burns for 24 hours in memory of a loved one. Here it represents all who have died from HIV/AIDS as well as the Judaism central to Larry Kramer. Silverberg has directed for an intense pace. Scenic design by Jerid Fox, costume design by Scott Daniel and lighting design by Mike Wood all contribute to the overall excellence. The only other time I have seen this play was in Boston within a few years of its writing but the production was inadequately acted and executed by a tiny gay theater company on a shoestring budget. Bravo to freeFall and Al May for a gripping experience. freeFall Theatre Company presents The Normal Heartthrough February 16, 2014, at 6099 Central Avenue, St. Petersburg. For ticket and performance information, visit www.freefalltheatre.com. Cast (in alphabetical order):
Director: Larry Silverberg
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