Elena Morey
A&E Editor
Words cannot accurately describe the work of art that was performed for three nights in the Freedlander Theatre at The College of Wooster. Director Jimmy Noriega and a small, predominantly male cast courageously performed “The Normal Heart” by Larry Kramer. The show originally premiered in 1985 during the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Here at the College, a section of the AIDS Quilt was displayed as well as a letter from Kramer himself that was distributed after the 2011 Broadway Revival in the program. In the letter, Kramer tells readers that “there is no cure” and to “please know that the world has suffered from some 75 million infections and 35 million deaths. When the action of the play begins, there were 41 [cases].” Complimentary condoms and pamphlets were available discussing the epidemic, sexual protection and LGBTQ+ Pride.
The heavy content in the show directly reaches the audience. There is no easy way around what this true story says about the human condition as well as how heartless and greedy those in power remain; how many turned a blind eye toward a real crisis and plague. However, the show does have lighter moments and a few lines of honest comedy that bring a sense of reality to the show. Despite its content, the show leaves the viewer with a sense of hope that humanity will stop abandoning our fellow man. These are real people, real stories and the real struggles of those who were brave enough to stand up. Here in Freedlander Theatre, a small cast shone brighter than any college-level production I have ever seen. Star Ben McKone ’19 carried the daunting weight of his character with grace and poise, never letting his energy drop. There was a realness about him and his portrayal of Ned that brought tears to many watching. There was intensity, drama, real emotions, anger and this roaring desire to fight against the world to try and save those he loves. He worked with highly complex emotions and made it seem completely natural. Tender moments between co-star Gerald Dryden ’21 added romance and softness, yet upped the stakes. Having been privileged enough to work on stage with McKone, I cannot believe I was able share the stage with a such a talented individual, as well as other members of the outstanding cast.
One cannot praise just McKone’s performance. The rest of the cast was also just as strong, brave and committed to the work of art. Each member of the cast and crew came together to create something words cannot adequately describe. There was great chemistry and wonderful casting. Furthermore, one cannot forgo the set, costumes and crew. The 80s costumes were evocative of the era and nailed subtle details a historian would pick up on. The costume crew had a few difficult costume changes, quick changes and food hazards to deal with and each night they reset each costume perfectly. The crew also worked tirelessly during the show to create smooth, seamless transitions and assistance back stage. The set was creative and innovative, allowing intimate scenes to feel extremely personal.
The almost three-hour show kept viewers on the edge of their seats. There was never a dull point on stage where an audience member eagerly checked their watch. Each interaction was complex, deep, right in front of you, real and without a boring moment. For any production, these aspects of a show are almost impossible. Even on Broadway, shows often try to deliver such things to audiences, yet find it difficult to hit all of them. “The Normal Heart” here at the College nailed them. Yes, every show can be pushed further and developed further, and there are always some small details that can be tweaked to perfection, but the beauty of live theatre is the reality going on in front of you. It is not cinema, where actors can do takes over and over, or where edits can be made post production. Theatre is magical because these people are living the narrative with the audience. It’s real. Noriega’s “The Normal Heart” was just that.