Featured in The Normal Heart are, from left, Mariah King, Madison Kotnarowski, Tristan Takacs, Jonathan Polanco and Nicholas Andrejco. Tickets are available at 570-3333 or online at kelseytheatre.net. Photo credit: Robert Anthony Terrano.
Students in Mercer County Community College’s (MCCC) Theatre Program will present Larry Kramer’s dark drama The Normal Heart from Dec. 5 through Dec. 8 at the MCCC Studio Theatre.
Recently adapted into an HBO film, The Normal Heart is staged in the early 1980s- the onset of the AIDS epidemic. The play features Ned Weeks, a writer and gay activist based on Kramer himself. Recognizing that a deadly illness is overtaking his community of friends, Weeks struggles to pull together an organization to raise awareness and promote action. Weeks’ relationships with friends and family are tested as he and other activists look within their community and then to politicians and the press to provide support and funding for research. Premiering off-Broadway in 1985, the play enjoyed a Broadway revival in 2011 that was nominated for five Tony Awards.
The cast features Charles Acuna of Plainsboro as Hiram Keebler/David; Nicholas Andrejco of Ewing as Ben Weeks/Ned Weeks (alternate performances); Jonathan Cintron of Trenton as Mickey Marcus; Jovan Griffin of Ewing as Craig Donner/Orderly; Michaelyn Haley of East Windsor as Emma/Examining Doctor (alternate performances); Dan Johnson of Ewing as Bruce Niles; Mariah King of Jersey City as Emma/Examining Doctor (alternate performances); Madison Kotnarowski of Trenton as Grady/Orderly; Jorge Martinez of Jersey City as Tommy Boatwright; Jonathan Polanco of Hamilton as Ben Weeks/Ned Weeks (alternate performances); and Tristan Takacs of Hamilton as Felix Turner.
The production team includes director Robert Terrano, producer Jody Person, costume/set designer Kate Pinner, lighting designer Star McCloud, light board operator Chris Nielson, sound designers Evan Paine and Eric Collins, stage manager Amanda Suchil, assistant stage manager Megan Haltmeier and make-up artist Koren Zander.
Performances of the The Normal Heart will take place Friday, Dec. 5 at 8 p.m.; Saturday, Dec. 6 at 2 and 8 p.m.; and Sunday, Dec. 7 at 2 p.m. The Studio Theatre is located on the college’s West Windsor campus, 1200 Old Trenton Road.
Tickets are $18 for adults, $16 for seniors and $14 for students. Tickets for MCCC students with current IDs are $8. Tickets are available online at kesleytheatre.net or by calling the Kelsey Theatre Box Office at 570-3333.
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