Piece Comment

Review of PORTRAIT OF A PLAGUE- AIDS Awareness Special


This program is impressive for its depth and range in approaching HIV/AIDS issues. Occasional facts and figures are dropped in by the narrator but his main role is to guide the listener from one very personal story to another. A South African nurse's gentle "God bless" to a patient speaks volumes; the American teens living with HIV are inspiring; and a young mother's letters to the son she will not see grow up - simply heartbreaking. The breaks of music, poetry and theater add to the polish of the production which avoids sentimentality with its honesty. This program cannot be recommended too highly - especially for anyone who has an hour to spare around World AIDS Day on December 1. But it could be broadcast at any time, any where - and should be.