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Mark Ruffalo and Lee Pace Read Larry Kramer's The Destiny of Me

The New Group held the event in celebration of the Pulitzer Prize-nominated playwright’s birthday.

Jason Zednick
New York City
Larry Kramer (center) celebrates his birthday with playwright Tony Kushner and directo Scott Elliott.
Larry Kramer (center) celebrates his birthday with playwright Tony Kushner and director Scott Elliott.
(© Erik Carter)

The New Group celebrated the birthday of playwright Larry Kramer (The Normal Heart) with a reading of his Pulitzer Prize-finalist play The Destiny of Me on Monday, June 25, at the Lucille Lortel Theatre.

Gideon Glick, Mark Ruffalo and Lee Pace read Larry Kramer's The Destiny of Me in honor of Kramer's birthday.
Gideon Glick, Mark Ruffalo, and Lee Pace read Larry Kramer's The Destiny of Me in honor of Kramer's birthday.
(© Erik Carter)

First presented in 1992, The Destiny of Me follows The Normal Heart protagonist Ned Weeks as he checks into a hospital to undergo an experimental treatment for AIDS. As he undergoes treatment, Ned reexamines his life as a young gay man growing up in a household and a world reluctant to accept who he is.

The New Group celebrates the birthday of playwright Larry Kramer (center) with a reading of his play The Destiny of Me.
The New Group celebrates the birthday of playwright Larry Kramer (center) with a reading of his play The Destiny of Me.
(© Erik Carter)

Directed by Trip Cullman, the benefit reading featured Mark Ruffalo as Ned Weeks, as well as The Normal Heart Tony winner Ellen Barkin as Rena Weeks, Eric Bogosian as Richard Weeks, Gideon Glick as Alexander Weeks, Josh Hamilton as Dr. Thomas Hamilton, and Lee Pace as Benjamin Weeks. Stage directions were read by Edie Falco, with Tony Kushner providing introductory remarks.