Photo Flash: Arena Stage Hosts THE NORMAL HEART Benefit

Coinciding with AIDS 2012, the biennial International AIDS Conference in D.C. July 22-27, 2012, Arena Stage hosted a special benefit performance of The Normal Heart along with the Washington AIDS Partnership Monday, July 23 at the Mead Center for American Theater. View photos below!

As the largest private funder of HIV/AIDS prevention, education and advocacy in the region, the Partnership awards more than $1 million in local grants annually. Fundraising from the event will equally benefit Washington AIDS Partnership and Arena Stage. The evening will include a pre-performance VIP Cocktail Hour, intermission champagne toast and a festive after party following the performance.

The event was sponsored by Andrew Ammerman, Dave Caskey and Dale King, the Stephen A. and Diana L. Goldberg Foundation, Randy Griffin with Marriott International, Vicki Hicks, Judy Lynn Prince, Richard Schwartz and Beth Newburger Schwartz, Sheila Stampfli, Grace Terpstra, the Weissberg Foundation, Channing Wickham and Chris Wolf and James Beller.

The story of a city in denial, The Normal Heart unfolds like a real-life political thriller as a tight-knit group of friends refuses to let doctors, politicians and the press bury the truth of an unspoken epidemic behind a wall of silence. A quarter-century after it was written, this outrageous, unflinching and totally unforgettable look at the sexual politics of New York during the AIDS crisis remains one of the theater’s most powerful evenings ever. The winner of three Tony Awards including Best Revival of a Play, The Normal Heart runs June 8-July 29, 2012 in the Kreeger Theater.

Atmosphere

Cast members Patricia Wettig, Patrick Breen and Michael Berresse with event attendees

Christopher J. Hanke and Nick Mennell

Christopher J. Hanke chats with an event attendee

D.C. Commission on the Arts and Humanities Chair Judith Terra, Laura Bisogniero and Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero

Arena Stage Executive Director Edgar Dobie (center) with event attendees

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith

Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith addresses the crowd

Guests

Arena Stage Board Chair David Shiffrin and Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith

Arena Stage Board Vice Chair Judy Lynn Prince with Bob Haiman

Laura Bisogniero, Italian Ambassador Claudio Bisogniero, Washington AIDS Partnership Executive Director Channing Wickham and Arena Stage Artistic Director Molly Smith