The theatre department at LSC-Montgomery has spent the past few months tirelessly preparing for their second show this semester: The Normal Heart by Larry Kramer, directed by Emmy Frank.
This searing drama follows gay activist Ned Weeks, as he struggles to get public officials to acknowledge the AIDS plague as a problem, when even the communities most impacted by it hesitate to come forward. This Tony Award winning play covers both the spread of the epidemic itself, as well as its exacting personal toll, shown poignantly when Ned Week’s lover succumbs to the disease.
“I saw The Normal Heart revival on Broadway in 2011 with a mentor of mine, and it truly changed my life. I realized how completely clueless I was about the history of the LGBTQIA rights movement and the start of the HIV/AIDS crisis. It’s a topic that is not often covered in history classes in schools, even to this day. When I moved to Texas from the East Coast, I knew this was a story that I wanted to share with my students and the greater Montgomery community. I love that this play depicts the beautiful humanity and diversity that exists within the LGBTQIA community.” said director Frank.
Produced to acclaim on stages around the world, The Normal Heart at LSC-Montgomery is supported by several events designed to boost awareness and encourage students and faculty to reflect on both the public health implications and personal toll exacted by the AIDS crisis.
The documentary How to Survive a Plague, which follows the story of how HIV/AIDS activists finally convinced the FDA to approve a life-saving drug was shown on Monday, Nov. 12, and the NAMES Project Foundation AIDS Memorial Quilt will be showing on campus until Nov. 17.
Michele Richey, sociology professor and coordinator of civic engagement events for the Montgomery campus said, “The goal of these two programs was to support this amazing production with some additional educational opportunities. We are especially excited to be hosting a block of the AIDS memorial Quilt, as it is a precious piece of history that highlights the human toll of the epidemic, which we learn about in The Normal Heart.”
The Normal Heart will be showing in the LSC-Montgomery Performing Arts Center on November 14-17. There will be a special discounted preview performance on Wednesday at 5:30 pm, a 3:00 pm matinee on Saturday, November 17, and evening showings on Thursday, Friday, and Saturday at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30 pm.)
Tickets are available for purchase at LoneStar.edu/Theatre-Montgomery. The production will be rated R.
Frank briefly summed up her hopes for the show, saying, “I hope audiences will walk away from this production with a greater appreciation that love is love, no matter who we share it with.”
LSC-Montgomery is located at 3200 College Park Drive, one-half mile west of Interstate 45, between Conroe and The Woodlands. For more information about the college, call 936.273.7000, or visit LoneStar.edu/Montgomery.
Lone Star College offers high-quality, low-cost academic transfer and career training education to 99,000 students each semester. LSC is training tomorrow’s workforce today and redefining the community college experience to support student success. Stephen C. Head, Ph.D., serves as chancellor of LSC, the largest institution of higher education in the Houston area with an annual economic impact of nearly $3 billion. LSC consists of six colleges, eight centers, two university centers, Lone Star Corporate College and LSC-Online. To learn more, visit LoneStar.edu.