When The Normal Heart debuted at New York City’s Public Theater in 1985, it became the longest-running show in the venue’s history. The drama by playwright Larry Kramer struck a chord by addressing the AIDS crisis in America head-on, calling out individuals and institutions for their apathy toward the epidemic. The University of Vermont Department of Theatre presents the story of activist Ned Weeks — a character based on Kramer — as he fights to awaken the world to the seriousness of the disease. Representatives from Vermont Cares, a nonprofit working for Vermonters affected by HIV/AIDS, are on hand with information about their services. The organization’s executive director Peter Jacobsen participates in a talk-back following Thursday’s performance.

Price: $10-22.