The Normal Heart

clip: JimParsonsFan

The Normal Heart Video

[Source]
Highlights From The Normal Heart
Larry Kramer's groundbreaking drama about "a city in denial" during the beginning of the AIDS epidemic finally receives a Broadway production after 26 years. Tony-winning director Joe Mantello makes a rare return to acting as Ned Weeks, a hot-headed activist trying — along with a tight-knit group of friends — to get doctors, politicians and the press to address the impending AIDS crisis in 1980s New York City. Tony and Oscar-winning actor Joel Grey (who starred in the original Public Theater version of The Normal Heart in 1985) co-directs with Tony-winning director George C. Wolfe.

Pics from S5E22 via AfterElton

[Source]
Pic Post! A First Look at the "Brothers & Sisters" Finale
Posted by Dennis Ayers, Managing Editor on April 28, 2011

There are only two episodes left of the fifth season of Brothers & Sisters, and we still haven't heard if the show will be returning for a sixth. The series has been on a creative roll of late and the ratings are okay... and yet with 109 episodes in the can and major characters departed, it's starting to feel like the end of the road for this shows.  (Thank goodness snicks will probably soon have Days of Our Lives to liveblog. Idle recappers are the devil's work.)

If the end of Brothers & Sisters is indeed upon us, then judging from these advance photos of the May 1st and May 8th episodes at least, longtime fans will be getting some closure.

For instance, in "For Better or for Worse" (to air May 1st) we see actress Marika Dominczykreturn as Tyler. She and Justin were a couple way back in season one. Remember, she was a hotel manager and got him that job as a bellhop-- which he promptly lost. Justin really loved her, but she sensibly had to break up with him because of his depression and drug addiction. 
Well, Justin has cleaned up his act, and from the photos below, looks like a spark is still there between these two characters. Maybe she'd be a good love interest for him to ride off into the sunset with?
From ABC's official description, here's what else to look forward to in this episode: "After Sarah confronts Brody about his being her father, she decides she no longer wants him to be a part of her life or Nora's, but Nora just can't seem to let him go. Meanwhile, Olivia struggles with the new addition of baby Daniel to the family."

The photos that follow are all from the May 8th finale, "Walker Down the Aisle:" As Sarah and Luc's nuptials approach, plans go horribly awry and the Walkers learn several surprising lessons about the real meaning of family.

Yes, they're totally laughing at your bridesmaid dress, Kitty.

Looks like Sarah might be getting some closure with bio Dad Brody (Beau Bridges) before the episode is over.

Either impromptu musical number...
or all the Walker men have become zombies.

Photos from The Normal Heart via broadwayworld.com

[Source]
Photo Flash: THE NORMAL HEART Production Shots!
Monday, April 25, 2011; Posted: 03:04 PM - by BWW News Desk

Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart opens on Broadway on Wednesday, April 27 for a 12-week engagement at the John Golden Theatre. Previews began April 19, 2011.  Below, BroadwayWorld brings you the production shots!

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. First produced by Joseph Papp at New York's Public Theater, the play was a critical sensation and a seminal moment in theater history. So ahead of its time was this play that many of the core issues it addresses - including gay marriage, the healthcare system and, of course, AIDS - are just as relevant today as they were when it first premiered.

The cast of The Normal Heart includes Ellen Barkin (Ocean's 13), Patrick Breen (Next Fall), Mark Harelik (Mrs. Warren's Profession), John Benjamin Hickey ("The Big C"), Luke Macfarlane ("Brothers and Sisters"), Joe Mantello (Angels in America), Lee Pace ("Pushing Daisies"), Jim Parsons ("The Big Bang Theory"), Richard Topol (The Merchant of Venice), and Wayne Alan Wilcox (Coram Boy).

The design team includes David Rockwell (sets), Martin Pakledinaz (costumes), David Weiner (lighting), David Van Tieghem (sound), and Batwin & Robin (projections).

Tickets, priced from $26.50 to $116.50, are available via Telecharge.com, by calling (212) 239-6200, or in person at the Golden Theatre box office (252 West 45th Street). General rush tickets are available for $36.50 at the box office on a first come, first served basis the day of the performance. (Limit two tickets per person; cash or credit card.)

The weekly performance schedule is as follows: Tuesday at 7:00 p.m., Wednesday at 8:00 p.m., Thursday at 8:00 p.m., Friday at 8:00 p.m., Saturday at 2:00 p.m. & 8:00 p.m., and Sunday at 2:00 p.m. & 7:00 p.m.

The premiere presentation of Larry Kramer's The Normal Heart on Broadway is produced by Daryl Roth, Paul Boskind and Martian Entertainment in association with Gregory Rae and Jayne Baron Sherman/Alexander Fraser.

For more information, visit www.TheNormalHeartBroadway.com.

Photo Credit: Joan Marcus

Lee Pace, Ellen Barkin, Wayne Alan Wilcox, Patrick Breen, Jim Parsons, Joe Mantello, John Benjamin Hickey, Luke Macfarlane, Richard Topol and Mark Harelik

Luke Macfarlane, Jim Parsons and Patrick Breen

Side Dish - 25th Apr

Side Dish from ABC, Brothers & Sisters.

Tea Time!

I know that I wrote a post a few years ago about my culinary obsession of the week, bite-sized food. Forgive any light re-tread this week because – I guess I just have babies on the brain – but I wanted to share some recipes for the tiny finger sandwiches you’d get with an afternoon tea service.

We don’t do afternoon tea at Café 429. Well it’s not on the menu, anyway. Lately Saul and Jonathan have been catching up over tea in the early afternoon in that wonderful time after the lunch rush but before we open for dinner.  Today while I started prepping the dinner service, I couldn’t help but watch them and remember those sweet moments when Kevin and I first started dating. 

Watching Saul coach Jonathan on the finer points of teacup etiquette was incredibly sweet. Sort of like watching two teenagers on a date. (And just so there’s no confusion: tea cups with a handle are held by placing your fingers to the front and back of the handle with your pinkie up for balance… oh and “pinkie up” means slightly tilted, not straight up.)

To complete their afternoon tea I raided the fridge and threw together some finger sandwiches for them. Saul was quick to point out that afternoon tea also consists of scones with jam and clotted cream as well as a series of cookies, shortbreads and other sweets. Just as quickly I reminded him that he was more than welcome to go ahead and make as many scones as he wanted in the kitchen. ;)

If you’d like to have your own afternoon tea service try these simple sandwiches washed down with your favorite tea. Sipped with your pinkie up, of course.

  FINGER SANDWICHES
** Choose a good quality, thinly sliced packaged bread. Some manufacturers make white and wheat “very thin” loaves that are perfect for these.

Cucumber-Dill Butter
Makes 16 finger sandwiches

INGREDIENTS
-          36 dime-thin slices hothouse or small Kirby cucumbers, or as needed
-          Salt
-          3 tablespoons, unsalted butter, at room temperature
-          1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill
-          8 slices bread  

1)     Spread the cucumber slices out in a single layer on a sheet of paper towel. Sprinkle lightly with salt and let stand.

2)     Beat the butter and dill together in a small bowl. Spread the butter onto one side of 8 slices of bread. There will be enough butter to coat each slice very lightly.

3)     Arrange the cucumber slices overlapping very slightly over 4 of the bread slices. Top with the remaining bread, pressing each gently. Cut off the crusts and cut each sandwich into 4 squares or triangles.

Smoked Salmon-Caper
Makes 16 finger sandwiches

INGREDIENTS
-          3 tablespoons mayonnaise
-          1 tablespoon drained tiny (nonpareil) capers, finely chopped
-          Few grinds of freshly ground black pepper
-          8 slices of bread
-          4 ounces thinly sliced smoked salmon

  1)     Stir the mayonnaise and capers together in a small bowl. Season to taste with pepper. Spread the mayo onto one side of the 8 slices of bread. There will be enough mayo to coat each slice lightly.

2)     Arrange the smoked salmon slices to cover 4 of the bread slices in a more or less even layer. Top with the remaining bread, pressing each gently. Cut off the crusts and cut each sandwich into 4 squares or triangles.

Apr 25, 2011 3:05 AM

Brothers & Sisters S5E20

"Father Unknown"

This episode was directed by Matthew Rhys.

I actually agree with Scotty about Michelle. I know many people think Scotty shouldn't have met Michelle behind Kevin, and shouldn't have promised anything, but as he said exactly, because it was easy to imagine that Kevin would ruin everything with his anger.

On the Scene: The Normal Heart Photo Shoot

THE NORMAL HEART on Broadway: Meet the Stars!

Side Dish - 18th Apr

Side Dish from ABC, Brothers & Sisters.

A shock to the system
There are good surprises.

There are bad surprises.

Then there are earth-shattering surprises.

And this week Kevin and I had a surprise that falls into that latter category. Marrying into the Walker family has always meant expecting the unexpected, but Kevin and I have been walking around with our mouths open all day. I can’t really write more about it now… but you can expect to hear more in the future, for sure.

 I had planned to feature a recipe for pineapple-peach smoothie this week on the blog. This was a drink that Saul came up with last summer and it sold like crazy. “So as the weather starts to warm up, make a big pitcher of these and enjoy them with your favorite fruity person.

I think Kevin and I are going to enjoy them tonight.

Oh as a side note on the photo. I asked Kevin to take a picture of me with a Pineapple-Peach Smoothie and he came across this old picture on his phone. Since I’ve been making this face all week, we thought it would be an appropriate choice for this week!

PINEAPPLE-PEACH SMOOTHIE
Makes 1 Large Drink

INGREDIENTS
3/4-cup pineapple juice or juice reserved from crushed pineapple
1 1/2-cups frozen sliced peaches
1/2-cup vanilla or plain soy milk
1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract (if using plain soy milk)

Blend the pineapple juice and peaches at low speed until the peaches are finely chopped. Increase the speed to high and, with the motor running, pour the soy milk (and vanilla if using) into the blender. Blend until smooth and frothy. Pour into a cold glass and drink right away.  

Apr 18, 2011 4:35 AM

Brothers & Sisters S5E19

"Wouldn't It Be Nice"

Judging from former episodes (S4E18-19), Scotty is the biological father of the baby.

[S4E19] Do you remember this scene?
Scotty: Oh, my God, that's why he wasn't there. We had our, uh, second implantation today. I waited with Michelle for two hours.
Sarah: Oh, God.
Scotty: I kept telling the doctor, "He'll be here, just give him ten more minutes." I mean, he didn't even call. Do you know where he is now?
======
Kevin: I ruined his life, Scotty. He was a kid. Oh, my God, the implantation. I'm so sorry.
Scotty: It's okay.
Kevin: It's not okay, l...
Scotty: Yes, it is. I went through with it.
Kevin: You did?
Scotty: We had to. We would have lost the embryos. Kevin.

[S4E20]
Kevin: Did Michelle call you too?
Scotty: Yes.
Kevin: I mean, she still has to have another blood test.
Scotty: Right. She has to wait to see if her HCG doubles.
Kevin: Right, but halfway pregnant?
Scotty: So we can be happy?
Kevin: Halfway happy?
Scotty: All the way happy?
Kevin: All the way happy.
======
Kevin: Halfway pregnant.
Scotty: Halfway pregnant.

Justin finds out Brody's secret

Spoiler Alart: Brothers & Sisters S5E21 "For Better or for Worse" - Press Release

[Source]

THE WALKERS CONFRONT THEIR PASTS, AND RELATIONSHIPS ARE REKINDLED, ON ABC'S "BROTHERS & SISTERS"
"For Better or for Worse" - After Sarah confronts Brody about his being her father, she decides she no longer wants him to be a part of her life or Nora's, but Nora just can't seem to let him go. Meanwhile, Olivia struggles with the new addition of baby Daniel to the family, on "Brothers & Sisters," SUNDAY, MAY 1 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET), on the ABC Television Network.

"Brothers & Sisters" stars Dave Annable as Justin Walker, Sally Field as Nora Holden, Calista Flockhart as Kitty Walker, Rachel Griffiths as Sarah Walker, Luke Macfarlane as Scotty Wandell, Gilles Marini as Luc Laurent, Matthew Rhys as Kevin Walker, Ron Rifkin as Saul Holden and Patricia Wettig as Holly Harper.

Guest starring are Christine Garver as Young Nora, Robbie Amell as Young William, Marika Dominczyk as Tyler Altamirano, Isabella Rae Thomas as Olivia, Beau Bridges as Nick Brody and Chris Sheffield as Young Brody.

"For Better or for Worse" writter: Stephen Tolkin and Matt Donnelly, and directer:  Michael Morris.

Source: ABC

Pics from S5E19 via AfterElton

[Source]

Take a look and make your best guess! But be warned, these are SPOILERS!

Here's the synopsis for the April 17th episode "Wouldn't it be Nice." (oh, and in case you don't recall, Michelle is the surrogate that Kevin and Scotty once tried and failed to conceive with.)

"Nora finally gives in to her feelings for Brody which leads to a spontaneous romantic getaway. Meanwhile Sarah and Luc closely consider growing their family, and a chance encounter with Michelle raises Scotty's suspicions about her whereabouts for the past several months."

"Oh, here comes Michelle the surrogate. If things had worked out with her, we wouldn't have needed you,
and you'd be in the orphanage right now fighting that singing red-haired girl for a piece of moldy bread."

"I'm not nervous ... why do you think I look nervous? You've got nerve saying I look nervous.
Who are you, the frickin' nervous police!"

"What's wrong? All I asked is if you wanted to take some of my frozen yogurt for later."

 

The April 24th episode "Father Unknown" pretty much confirms what we suspected.

"Parenthood is questionable for more than one member of the Walker family, as Justin keeps a closely guarded secret about the true paternal identity of one of his siblings and Scotty makes a shocking discovery that will bring a new life into the Walker family fold."

So what do you think the big discovery is? Have at it, but PLEASE don't put your spoiler ideas in your comment title!

"I'll bet Kevin would love to see my shadow puppet"

"Well, I have always wanted to visit Florida."

 

"Stupid Earthling! The invasion of the Katy Perry's has begun, and soon we will dominate!"

"I'm sorry, you lost me after 'turkey baster.' "

Side Dish - 11th Apr

Side Dish from ABC, Brothers & Sisters.

Crostini

A lot has happened since I’ve last written a blog entry so I wanted to apologize for taking the time off. I promise that at least for the next few weeks I will make it a point to carve out the time to share my recipes with you.

This week my mom came to visit and I think we both really surprised each other. Our relationship has been… well… strained, but I think that we both came to understand and appreciate each other a lot more by the end of her time here. I was proud that she got to see Café 429 and finally taste the food there… and I was also glad she isn’t a food critic. J  Let’s just say she no longer refers to the place as a “nightclub” and, to me, that’s progress.

I really tried to wow her with some of my favorite dishes on the menu, but the simplest things are sometimes the things you remember most. And when I asked her if I could show her a recipe she asked me to show her how to make the crostini. At first I was offended – that’s like asking for the recipe for a garnish!  BUT then I came to realize… we use the crostini on everything: we float them on soups, crumble them in salads, serve them with our cheese platter. So maybe asking for THAT recipe is the ultimate compliment. 

My mom and I still have a long way to go in rebuilding our relationship, but as she snapped a picture of me in the kitchen I couldn’t help but be grateful we’re working on it. You only get one set of parents.

PERFECT CROSTINI
Makes about 24 crostini

INGREDIENTS Post
-          1 small thin, firm French loaf
-          Olive Oil1 peeled garlic clove, cut in half (optional)

Set a rack in the center position and preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut the bread crosswise into ½-inch slices. Bruch both sides of the bread lightly with olive oil, placing them on a baking sheet as you go. If you like, rub each slice with the cut side of the garlic as well. Bake 7 minutes. Turn and bake until very crisp and lightly browned on both sides, about 10 minutes. Serve warm or cool. Crostini can be stored at room temperature in a tightly sealed container for up to 2 days.

Apr 11, 2011 4:34 AM

Brothers & Sisters S5E17, E18

" Olivia’s Choice "




" Never Say Never "