Angels In America @ Berkley Rep

[Valentina3]

https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Berkeley-Rep-Announces-Full-Cast-for-ANGELS-IN-AMERICA-20180104

"After winning two Tony Awards for his portrayal of Prior Walter in the original Broadway production, Stephen Spinella returns to Angels in America in the role of Roy Cohn. Joining Spinella is an ensemble of noted actors making their Berkeley Rep debuts, including Randy Harrison as Prior (best known for his work on Showtime's Queer as Folk), and Caldwell Tidicue (aka Bob the Drag Queen) as Belize.

Previews begin Tuesday, April 17, 2018 and the show runs through Sunday, July 22, 2018. Press day will be Saturday, April 28, 2018 with both Parts One and Two being presented. Tickets start at $40, and can be purchased online at berkeleyrep.org and by phone at 510 647-2949 (Tue-Sun, noon-7pm)."

 

This is a very strange and unexpected casting. I'd never have imagined Spinella as Roy Cohn. Randy Harrison's stage work hasn't impressed me so far and he feels a bit too old for Prior. BOB THE DRAG QUEEN as Belize is inspired casting and it might bring a audience which would normally not go watch a show like Angels.

[CoercedBull]

My wife and I were planning on traveling to SF for this production until the London transfer was announced. We already have tickets for the NY run, and I certainly don't regret it, but if I were a richer person, I would consider making two trips to see this one as well. There's something comforting about Stephen Spinella playing Cohn and extending his legacy with the show. Plus, Bob the Drag Queen as Belize is inspired casting.

[TotallyEffed]

I so wish I could see this.

[greensgreens]

I seriously don't understand how Randy Harrison is getting all these plum roles. He was George in SITPWG at the Guthrie last summer and created the most bland and uninteresting performance I have ever seen - in any show, ever. His job as Emcee in the Cabaret tour was equally unimpressive - he was totally neutered, under delivered all the jokes, and couldn't handle the heft of the serious moments either. I seem to recall that he was an often minimally clothed twink once upon a time in a fairly well-received gay-centric cable show. But that was 20 years ago (or is it more at this point?), so I can't imagine he's still riding on the coattails of that. Maybe I've only seen him on off-nights, but I've seen him quite a bit and I'm never even just remotely satisfied with his performances.

Anyway, Christopher Caldwell is an interesting choice. He actually has the personality to pull off Belize quite well.

[Scarywarhol]

I have to second that Harrison was absolutely terrible in the Guthrie's SITPWG, dragging down the whole production. Just dull as dishwater, and completely unconvincing as an artist.

[bear88]

Harrison is 40. I am planning to see this, but some of you are worrying me. That would be a pivotal role to botch.

[Valentina3]

And botch it, he will. I hope Spinella can coach him a little - Randy was a decent actor in QAF but like folks above have already said - his stint in Cabaret and SITPWG have been lousy. Prior Walter is a complex character, and *not* 40 yo.

I'm really looking forward to Bob's Belize though. Hope I can catch this somehow.

[RippedMan]

I would see this for Bob and Spinella. But....Randy? That's a big role. I don't think he has the chops. But I guess he must have impressed somebody? 

[Mildred Plotka]

Valentina3 said: "And botch it, he will. I hope Spinella can coach him a little - Randy was a decent actor in QAF but like folks above have already said - his stint in Cabaret and SITPWG have been lousy. Prior Walter is a complex character, and *not* 40 yo.

I'm really looking forward to Bob's Belize though. Hope I can catch this somehow."

Harrison looks far younger than his age.  The age policing on this board is getting ridiculous.  He could be terrible in the role, but I doubt any audience members are going to complain he is too old for the role.

[JBC3]

I, too, am skeptical of Harrison as Prior, but he did receive some decent reviews from critics for Cabaret. I believe praise was harder to come by for SITPWG.

[Kad]

Bob the Drag Queen is such inspired casting that it almost makes me angry I hadn't thought of it. I would much prefer to see his take rather than Nathan Stewart-Jarrett in the London transfer, who I thought was the weakest link in the cast and lacking the "it" that Belize needs.

[RippedMan]

I WISH he was coming to Broadway. 

[ChairinMain]

He was.....eh I'm gonna say totally fine in Cabaret. I feel like playing the Emcee in that particular production is pretty much impossible since no matter how well you do you are in Alan Cumming's shadow. 

Prior seems like a role firmly in his type but it is a big ask for any actor, so I am concerned. Personally I'm just disappointed they didn't nab Bay Area bad-ass Stacy Ross for the Angel or Hannah.

[rosscoe(au)]

I thought Harrison was great in Cabaret, it was my first time ever seeing the production and on the day I saw it in Costa Messa the punters loved him and equally brilliant Andrea Gross ( I’m sure someone here will point out if I have the name wrong ) 

If I wasn’t already seeing the broadway production I would see this as well.

[ChairinMain]

*Andrea GOSS. No R. 

[Someone in a Tree2]

Randy was absolutely magnetic as the Emcee when I saw CABARET in Atlanta last year. He ruled the stage and made you forget Alan Cumming's imprint on the role for a while. My concern is neither with his talent nor his age. But man is he cute! And having a Prior who is conventionally white-bread adorable and could conceivably hook any boyfriend he wanted shifts the paradigm of who Prior is far away from the template Stephen Spinella created back in 1992 with the part. Does ANGELS IN AMERICA work with an adorable Prior? Good question.

[JBroadway]

Someone in a Tree2 said: "Does ANGELS IN AMERICA work with an adorable Prior? Good question."

 

Granted, the only version of the play I've seen is the London one, so I don't have much of a reference point to say which way works better. But for what it's worth, I thought Andrew Garfield was excellent as Prior, and he's pretty adorable. 

 

[bear88]

I haven't seen any of these actors before, and it seems like Harrison got plenty of praise for his work in Cabaret. As for age, he isn't much older than Spinellla was when he played Prior. (Spinella was in his late 30s.) There will always be questions about casting choices, and some may work out better than others.

In any event, I'll see all (or almost all) the performers for myself at one of the marathon days in May. One nice thing is that the Roda Theatre, one of two at the Berkeley Rep, has a seating capacity of 600, so even our "cheap seats" in the fourth row of the mezzanine aren't far away from the stage. While the Berkeley Rep doesn't offer special deals or rush tickets, we got a discount for buying a three-show package, including Lillian Hellman's Watch on the Rhine, which we are seeing tonight. (It worked out to $55 a ticket, including free parking, so I can't complain.) For those interested, there are plenty of seats still available.

[antonijan]

Attended the 1st preview and it was great. Use exclusive code REVELATION to save 20% on all tickets to Millenium Approaches.

Randy Harisson has matured as an actor and the character Walter Prior tugged the strings of my weakened heart with his poignant performance. The mortality that Prior faces still resonates up to this day because even with the advent of Truvada...there is still virtually no cure.

Randy made me cry several times specially during the 2nd act when he pronounced the verdict that Louis' heart is deficient and the finale of the 3rd act on the monolouge b4 the Angel makes an appearance.

Bravo.

[antonijan]

Was there full frontal nudity in the original production? How about in Broadway now???

[TheSassySam]

antonijan said: "Was there full frontal nudity in the original production? How about in Broadway now???"

 

 

The answer to both is yes. 

[antonijan]

Are there more full frontal nudity on Part 2: Perestrioka?

Seeing Part2 in May.

[BroadwayConcierge]

antonijan said: "Are there more full frontal nudity on Part 2: Perestrioka?

Seeing Part2 in May."

Yes, there is a scene featuring extended full frontal nudity in Perestroika.

[EllieRose2]

"I seem to recall that he was an often minimally clothed twink once upon a time in a fairly well-received gay-centric cable show. But that was 20 years ago (or is it more at this point?)"

Um, it was called Queer As Folk and it ended less than 13 years ago. Google something before announcing dates that are ridiculously off, mmm k?

What a GREAT SHOW.  I'm going to watch it on Netflix again.  Thanks for reminding me of the brilliance that is Queer as Folk.   Loved him as Justin, and have loved him in his local NYC roles in theater.  Will not see this considering I saw it on Broadway, which is obviously better.  

[antonijan]

Check out his other work on a web series called "New York is Dead" http://www.funnyordie.com/newyorkisdead