"Angels in America" revival?- Page 5

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 7/27/17 at 4:25pm

There better be nudity in Part 2. It's very relevant to the scene and character. 

[nasty_khakis]

Posted: 7/27/17 at 4:28pm

TheSassySam said: "Was there supposed to be nudity at that part? I know in the HBO series that part had nudity, but I thought it was them HBO-ing it up. "

Every other stage production I've ever seen he's been naked, some even have had the nurse touching his genitals looking for lesions. I'm not sure if it's in the script or not.

Kad, it indeed looked awkward, but I think he wears the boxers in the production. 

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 7/27/17 at 4:37pm

I'm not 100% sure, but if I recall the script correctly, it says something in the stage direction to the effect that during Louis' diatribe towards Belize, Prior is simultaneously being examined by a nurse while nude on an exam table. 

[SFFrontRow]

Posted: 7/27/17 at 10:54pm

luvtheEmcee said: "I don't know that it would ever hold up to the original, from what I've heard, but I do know I'd kill to see it on stage. "

There was an off-broadway production at the Signature Theater on 42nd St. I think it was running Sep 2010 (before they moved into their new space). I saw it in January after (I think) it was extended through Feb 20 2011. It starred Christian Borle, Zoe Kazan, Zachary Quinto, Billy Porter, Frank Wood.

I had a ticket for Part 2, and had to sit outside for a couple hours to get a ticket. I got "standing room" which ended up being me sitting on the carpeted floor of the side aisle. The production was in a small, modern theater, at it was outstanding.

Given the quality of that production (which was also very popular), I thought it would transfer. But I am guessing the cast had other commitments. It could be too early, but the run of that production was extended, but still not that long, and it was sold out.

Updated On: 7/28/17 at 10:54 PM

[bandit964]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 6:23am

What are the largest stages on Broadway other than the Beaumont?

 

I know the Broadway theatre is very deep and has a large stage.  The Winter Garden also has a very wide stage space.  I can't see this production transferring to a small space.  I'd love to see it in a small venue, but it seems like Marianne Elliott has created a staging that would benefit from a large playing space.  

 

Who has ideas of where this might be transferred to...

Updated On: 7/28/17 at 06:23 AM

[Valentina3]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 10:23am

*if it transfers at all. I'd love to see this move to Beaumont after My Fair Lady moves out. The NT staging was breathtaking, I wouldn't change anything about it if it were up to me.

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 10:31am

Kad said: "I had assumed that Garfield wearing his boxers for the examination room scene was a choice for the broadcast, given how... awkward it looked."

 

When I saw the show in May he had the boxers on.

[RippedMan]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 10:49am

I think it's a smart choice and doesn't turn the show into "that Andrew Garfield play where he's naked." 

[BJR]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 12:08pm

All right, silly nudity talk out of the way:

-Prior in boxers in Part 1. (Good, there's little point.)

-Joe naked, facing upstage, before Louis rushes clothes to him.

Now, the production. Absolutely stunning. A beautiful, slow burn of a production. The design elements build through the full 2 parts and are simply stunning - stark, modern and lyrical. The cats is simply wonderful. Garfield is a revelation, Lane is masterful, and Tovvy is the best Joe I've ever seen. The women are also simply fantastic.

I can imagine Eliot being able to make some changes if it transferred, since she makes full use of that theatre's very wide AND deep stage, in addition to extensive trap doors and sets rising from beneath the deck. I imagine they have a few theatres in mind, are waiting to see if they'll be available, and probably contending with A-List talent and busy schedules.

[LYLS3637]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 12:22pm

I forgot how brilliant part 2 is.  The anger and hope that radiates throughout is just stunning. It really doesn't feel like 4 hours. The scene with Belize and Louis at the Bethesda Fountain is perfectly crafted.

"I hate America, Louis. I hate this country. Nothing but a bunch of big ideas and stories and people dying, and then people like yoiu. The white cracker who wrote the National Anthem knew what he was doing.  He set the word 'free' to a note so high nobody can reach it. That was deliberate. Nothing on Earth sounds less like freedom to me. You come to room 1013 over at the hospital, Louis, I'll show you America. Terminal, crazy and mean." After the election, I put on the HBO miniseries and watched Jeffrey Wright do this scene over and over and over again. Truly cathartic. 

I really hope this transfers-- hopefully with Nathan Lane and Denise Gough as Harper. She is absolutely the best Harper I've ever seen. While I truly disliked Garfield in Part 1, it appeared he brought the camp down a bit for Part 2. His last monologue was sublime. I kinda wish he brought some of the subtlety to the rest of his performance.

[TFMH18]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 1:21pm

I am certain this has been addressed ad nauseam in this thread already, but I don't feel like sifting through 7 pages. Who has the intel on the likelihood of this actually transferring? I am gutted to be missing it in movie theaters but, at the same time, would so much rather my experience seeing it be to actually see it performed. Any insight is appreciated!

[Scripps2]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 3:02pm

BJR said: "Now, the production. Absolutely stunning."

Agreed.

I've seen several productions but this was by far the most memorable. I'd go so far as to say that Andrew Garfield's performance was on par with Mark Rylance in Jerusalem. Denise Gough as Harper was also extraordinary and Nathan Lane's performance as Roy Cohn brought insight into self-delusion an duplicity that I hadn't seen before.

I also felt the angel was more appropriate in this production than others, being portrayed as an awkward and difficult being rather than complying with external notions of angels simply being good or bad. Previously I had found the supposed supernatural elements of the play unconvincing and pretentious but here they began to make sense.

[Scripps2]

Posted: 7/28/17 at 3:04pm

LYLS3637 said: "His last monologue was sublime."

And particularly moving to a British audience broadcast, as it was, 50 years to the day since the decriminalisation of homosexuality.