Angels in America - An Emotional and Challenging Revival

Sofia Jean Gomez and Michael Urie
Photo by Joan Marcusk

I didn't have the privilege of seeing Tony Kushner's Angels in America when it was first produced on Broadway.  Friends had gushed about the production telling me how tragic it was that I didn't have the opportunity to come to NYC and drink in the poetry and majesty of it all.  It wasn't until years later when HBO produced the film version that I became familiar with the story of Prior, Louis, Belize and the Pitts.

But I instantly loved it.  It wasn't an easy love.  The story is hard, emotionally.  I find myself wanting to squeeze Prior and tell him its OK.  To warn him that Louis is going to hurt him.  To keep him safe and help him through his sickness.  But also to not watch as the pain unravels and the ache of loneliness overwhelms him... and the others in the story.  To say that I'm thankful that I haven't lived through that torment is an understatement.  I can't imagine how I would handle it, much less survive, even after knowing very dear friends who have lived through the fear and agony.

And then, last night, I got to meet the story in person.

The Signature Theatre is currently running the fourth extension on their production.  This intimate 160-seat theater sets each audience member no further than 30 feet from the stage.  You might as well be in Prior's bedroom, watching silently as the drama unfolds... and you'd be thankful for the opportunity.

It is incredibly hard to express exactly how I feel about the show.  I'm not sure why.  This is true of the show on the whole as well as for the characters... in particular Prior.  Michael Urie (Ugly Betty, The Temperamentals) is an epic Prior... both funny and sad, hopeful and hopeless, dreaming and awake and I suppose this is what makes expressing my feelings for him so difficult.  The character is a paradox in form and feeling and I feel as juxtaposed about him as he seems to feel but at the same time ache deeply for him to get better, to find love, to find peace.  The others are equally as stunning, particularly Billy Porter who is a generous and caring Belize.  He's exactly the person you want fighting for you when you are desperately in need.

I find myself lost for words in describing the effect that this production had on me.  I want to talk about it, have a dialog, work through issues... and yet I can't find my voice.  At the risk of running on and rambling nonsensically I'll simply suggest you go see it before it ends on April 24th.  Then let's talk... face to face.

Vulcans in America - Quinto cast in "Angels" revival

Photo courtesy
of Playbill.com

Both The New York Times and Playbill are reporting that initial casting for the revival of Tony Kushner's Tony Award-winning play(s) Angels in America includes Zachary Quinto and Billy Porter.  Angels in America won both the 1993 and 1994 Tony Awards for Best Play (Millennium Approaches and Perestroika respectively).

Word is the Quinto will play Louis (originally played by Joe Mantello who was nominated for a Tony Award for his performance). I'm thrilled to have the chance to see Quinto on stage and am sure he'll be superb as Louis but worry that I'll not like Louis here as much as I don't like him when reading the play or seeing the HBO film version.  Louis is prejudiced and scared... that I understand.  But I cannot fathom treating anyone - in particular my partner - the way he does.  I imagine that if I were in this gaggle of gays that I would be the first to name Louis as a DTM (dead-to-me) for his behavior.  Anyway... before I rant further...

The rumor mill is churning too that Christian Borle is in negotiations to play Prior Walter.  I heart Prior.  He's furious with the world for his situation and yet he's ultimately graceful and loving... maybe a little nuts but who wouldn't be when the world (here the mid-1980s) seems to be falling apart around you... and through you.  Borle may be excellent.  I enjoyed his work in Legally Blonde (and his "That's on Ebay" commercial from years ago - see below).

So, while subscription tickets are now sold out there will be single tickets on sale on August 3rd at 10am.  I'm sure more news will come but until then I'll enjoy the thought of seeing these productions on stage for the first time - having misses the original run back in the 90s.