The director of a new community theatre production hopes the play will help commemorate the people who struggled with disease and homophobia at the outset of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

"It's very easy at times to forget that behind it all are individuals... loving human beings with families," said Stephen Puddle, founder of the Performers' Theatre Company. He's the director of a new production of The Normal Heart, which opens on Saturday. The play, written by Larry Kramer, is set in early 1980s New York City, at the beginning of the HIV/AIDS crisis.

"I think a play like this helps bring that [humanity] out and show the reality of those individuals, and it's also a tribute to those who fought hard and long," Puddle said.

The World Health Organization estimates that HIV has claimed the lives of about 40 million people since the first known outbreak, in 1981, of what would eventually become known as Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome.

The main character of the play is a writer and activist named Ned Weeks, a gay man who is the founder of an HIV advocacy group. The play was first produced in 1985.

Puddle also sees parallels between the HIV/AIDS and COVID-19 crises, notably a sense of extreme negativity against people trying to implement public health measures.

"I think we also have to remember, in both cases, the world was dealing with something that was completely new," he added.

Nathan Smith, a student at Mount Allison University, plays the starring role. He described the character of Ned Weeks as a "scope of ranges," a fighter who also displays vulnerability. "It's two sides of this character that I think is really unique," he said.

The play opens this Saturday and is on until Nov. 12. Tickets are $20 or $12 for students. For more more info, check out performerstheatre.com.