The Normal Heart

The Chatham Community Players continues to offer exciting theater during its 93rd season with a special two performance only benefit production of Larry Kramer’s “The Normal Heart" on February 6 and 7 at 8 p.m. The production will benefit the Chatham Playhouse and New Jersey AIDS Services (NJAS). A reception will be held after each show with actors & production team and the audience is invited to attend.

“With the number of HIV/AIDS cases in our state ranking seventh highest, it is clear this disease remains a major crisis in New Jersey. The collaboration between Chatham Community Players and New Jersey AIDS Services is a great example of how small organizations and groups can come together to have a big impact on fighting this disease in our state,” said Joann McEniry, COO of NJAS.

A searing drama about public and private indifference to the AIDS plague and one man's lonely fight to awaken the world to the crisis. Produced to acclaim in New York, London and Los Angeles, The Normal Heart follows Ned Weeks, a gay activist enraged at the indifference of public officials and the gay community. While trying to save the world from itself, he confronts the personal toll of AIDS when his lover dies of the disease. Originally published in 1985 and celebrated in a passionate and eloquent 2011 Broadway revival, this play was produced for TV on HBO in 2014 by Ryan Murphy.

The mission of New Jersey AIDS Services (NJAS) is to respond compassionately and responsibly to the HIV/AIDS crisis by providing supportive services, housing opportunities, prevention strategies and education to enhance the community we serve. The vision of NJAS is to create a community of acceptance where the social issues of HIV/AIDS can be abundantly met. New Jersey AIDS Services offers residential programs providing a safe dignified place for people to live while they strive to overcome hardships in their lives that led them to homelessness Our Community Based Services consist of a host of supportive services designed to address the complex issues people living with HIV/AIDS and their families face. This includes services such as case management, mental health and substance abuse counseling, medical transportation and nutritional assistance. Also, through our Education and Prevention Programs, we aim to educate the community at large about the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis in America and to provide up to date information on prevention strategies, community impact and involvement, and treatment options.