Angels In America @ Berkley Rep- Page 2

[antonijan]

Posted: 4/24/18 at 4:42am

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

Updated On: 4/24/18 at 04:42 AM

[SFCowboy]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 12:12am

I took in Angels In America Part 1 at the Berkeley Rep this afternoon. In a word – outstanding! I thought it was riveting theater: well-acted and well-staged, a first-rate production with no disappointments. The 3-1/2 hours flew by. In general, the characters were realized as I remembered them from the ACT production in San Francisco 25 years ago. So no new revelations, but a certain comfort level like revisiting old friends, which allowed me to relax and just watch the action unfold.

Randy Harrison as Prior Walter was excellent and thoroughly convincing with a powerful performance. For anyone who was questioning his suitability for the role, you can just put that out of your mind. He was great. Going into this I was really intrigued that the original Prior, Stephen Spinella, would be playing Roy Cohn, and I had my own doubts about this. But he handles the role splendidly. In his first scene he was less forceful and manic from what I was hoping for, but this came out later and felt more explosive when it did. It’s a bit of a kinder and gentler Roy Cohn, but it humanizes him, and it works.

Benjamin Ismall as Louis was absolutely perfect, as was Bob the Drag Queen (Caldwell Tidicue) as Belize. Their scene with Louis’ achingly long monologue was hilarious and impeccably timed. I had only seen Bob the Drag Queen before in his hour-long drag act, and it was heartening to see the depth of his portrayal of Belize.

I thought all of the other characters were played strongly, though maybe not quite as memorably. I am not seasoned enough or knowledgeable enough to flesh out the nuances of their acting, but I didn’t find any weak link in the cast. One of my friends commented that in Act 1 Bethany Jillard as Harper Pitt seemed to just be reading her lines, but I don’t know about that. I think that might have been a conscious choice to help with her portrayal of being a little removed from reality. She certainly became much more expressive during her later confrontations with Joe and during her time in Antarctica.

The staging was simple but elegant. Scenes would slide in from the back or the wings, or occasionally through the floor of the stage. Projections were notably well done, and sometimes jaw-droppingly effective. I often don’t pay much attention to the lighting, but here I noticed it because it was so flawless. The whole production was just a joy to watch.

There were a few moments where I found myself questioning the choices that were made, but I don’t know if this was just because I had a preconceived notion of something different. For example, in the scene when Prior is putting on his drag make-up, I thought he looked way too glamorous. I thought he should look a little rougher around the edges. But that’s really a very very minor quibble, and maybe others wouldn’t agree with me.

The ending was great, staged beautifully. I’m not wanting to describe it as a potential spoiler. Suffice it to say there were no surprises – it was just really well done. And it left us all with that perfect cliff-hanger feeling. I would not have minded staying to see Part 2 tonight, but I’ll be seeing it soon enough – in two days.

I have to mention too that the audience this afternoon was terrific. We laughed together, we gasped together, and most importantly, we were completely silent together. Except for the one cell phone that went off (folks, please turn your phones OFF!), this was about as perfect an audience as you could hope for. 

By sheer good fortune I will be in New York later in May and will see the Broadway production, which I am sure is fantastic. It will be interesting to see how it differs. For anyone who can’t get to New York, I think you’ll not be disappointed to have to “make do” with this terrific Berkeley Rep production.

In case it’s helpful to anyone, I was in the third row of the mezzanine to the side, and it was an excellent view.  I think there probably isn’t a bad seat in the theater, though more center is probably better. (Actually, I take that back. There’s a projector hanging off the mezzanine that might block the view of the most central mezz Row A seats. And I noticed Row A of the orchestra was not full, making me think the stage is high enough for orch Row A to be a problem.)

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 1:06am

EllieRose2 said: ""I seem to recallthathe 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."

Re your final sentence: Prejudge much?

Updated On: 4/26/18 at 01:06 AM

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 1:14am

SFCowboy said: "I took in Angels In America Part 1 at the Berkeley Rep this afternoon. In a word – outstanding! I thought it was riveting theater: well-acted and well-staged, a first-rate production with no disappointments. The 3-1/2 hours flew by. In general, the characters were realized as I remembered them from the ACT production in San Francisco 25 years ago. So no new revelations, but a certain comfort level like revisiting old friends, which allowed me to relax and just watch the action unfold.

Randy Harrison as Prior Walter was excellent and thoroughly convincing with a powerful performance. For anyone who was questioning his suitability for the role, you can just put that out of your mind. He was great. Going into this I was really intrigued that the original Prior, Stephen Spinella, would be playing Roy Cohn, and I had my own doubts about this. But he handles the role splendidly. In his first scene he was less forceful and manic from what I was hoping for, but this came out later and felt more explosive when it did. It’s a bit of a kinder and gentler Roy Cohn, but it humanizes him, and it works.

Benjamin Ismall as Louis was absolutely perfect, as was Bob the Drag Queen (Caldwell Tidicue) as Belize. Their scene with Louis’ achingly long monologue was hilarious and impeccably timed. I had only seen Bob the Drag Queen before in his hour-long drag act, and it was heartening to see the depth of his portrayal of Belize.

I thought all of the other characters were played strongly, though maybe not quite as memorably. I am not seasoned enough or knowledgeable enough to flesh out the nuances of their acting, but I didn’t find any weak link in the cast. One of my friends commented that in Act 1 Bethany Jillard as Harper Pitt seemed to just be reading her lines, but I don’t know about that. I think that might have been a conscious choice to help with her portrayal of being a little removed from reality. She certainly became much more expressive during her later confrontations with Joe and during her time in Antarctica.

The staging was simple but elegant. Scenes would slide in from the back or the wings, or occasionally through the floor of the stage. Projections were notably well done, and sometimes jaw-droppingly effective. I often don’t pay much attention to the lighting, but here I noticed it because it was so flawless. The whole production was just a joy to watch.

There were a few moments where I found myself questioning the choices that were made, but I don’t know if this was just because I had a preconceived notion of something different. For example, in the scene when Prior is putting on his drag make-up, I thought he looked way too glamorous. I thoughthe should looka little rougher around the edges. But that’s really a very very minor quibble, and maybe others wouldn’t agree with me.

The ending was great, staged beautifully. I’m not wanting to describe it as a potential spoiler. Suffice it to say there were no surprises – it was just really well done. And it left us all with that perfect cliff-hanger feeling. I would not have minded staying to see Part 2 tonight, but I’ll be seeing it soon enough – in two days.

I have to mention too that the audience this afternoon was terrific. We laughed together, we gasped together, and most importantly, we were completely silent together. Except for the one cell phone that went off (folks, please turn your phones OFF!), this was about as perfect an audience as you could hope for.

By sheer good fortune I will be in New York later in May and will see the Broadway production, which I am sure is fantastic. It will be interesting to see how it differs. For anyone who can’t get to New York, I think you’ll not be disappointed to have to “make do” with this terrific Berkeley Rep production.

In case it’s helpful to anyone, I was in the third row of the mezzanine to the side, and it was an excellent view. I think there probably isn’t a bad seat in the theater, though more center is probably better. (Actually, I take that back. There’s a projector hanging off the mezzanine that might block the view of the most central mezz Row A seats. And I noticed Row A of the orchestra was not full, making me think the stage is high enough for orch Row A to be a problem.)"

Thanks for your thoughtful, concise and spoiler-free review of Part 1.  Eagerly await your review of Part 2.  I'll be attending a marathon day in June.  The Rep is just ten minutes away from my home in Emeryville.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 2:52am

Im not pre judging anything.  It's widely known that the best theater district in the country is New York City.  Broadway has the best of the best, and people spend years trying to get there.  The Tony Awards are based on shows in New York City.  Therefore, it is the best.  It's just a fact. A lot of shows do "Broadway try outs", hoping they can make it to the very best city in the world for theater.   Angels on Broadway is far superior simply because of the talent and money invested in the production.  It's not really hard to comprehend. And yes, that's my opinion.  

[TheSassySam]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 3:00am

EllieRose2 said: "Im not pre judging anything. It's widely known that the best theater district in the country is New York City. Broadway has the best of the best, and people spend years trying to get there. The Tony Awards are based on shows in New York City. Therefore, it is the best. It's just a fact. A lot of shows do "Broadway try outs", hoping they can make it to the very best city in the world for theater. Angels on Broadway is far superior simply because of the talent and money invested in the production. It's not really hard to comprehend. And yes, that's my opinion."

 

This is absolutely dripping in pretentiousness. Just because a production is on Broadway doesn't make it the best. 

 

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 3:18am

I guess you missed the part about it being my opinion.  I will say it again for people like you.  These are my opinions and my opinions only.  You don't have to like, agree or understand them.  Have yourself a good day.

[bear88]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 3:28am

SFCowboy, thanks for your review. I have been eagerly awaiting one, just to get an idea of how the production is shaping up. I ordered tickets way back in January for a marathon day in May. It sounds like fourth row mezzanine should be fine. (The Roda Theatre has a nice setup and is a small, 600-seat theater to begin with.) While I saw Angels in America on tour in the '90s, there's a lot I don't remember. And I'm trying to keep it that way, so I too appreciate the absence of "spoilers."

Updated On: 4/26/18 at 03:28 AM

[JBC3]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 4:04am

EllieRose2 said: "I guess you missed the part about it being my opinion. I will say it again for people like you. These are my opinions and my opinions only. You don't have to like, agree or understand them. Have yourself a good day."

Except your earlier message says:
"Therefore, it is the best. It's just a fact."

Asserting an opinion as a fact rarely comes off well.

[EllieRose2]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 4:42am

The fact in my statement was about the Tony Awards.  You can look up the history of them if you'd like.  The Tony Awards are for plays/musicals in New York City.  No other cities, states or countries are considered in the whole wide world.  Fact.  My other statements are purely my views and my views only.  

[JBC3]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 4:51am

^ give it a rest

[Sho-Tunes-R-Us]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 6:30am

EllieRose2 said: "The fact in my statement was about the Tony Awards. You can look up the history of them if you'd like. The Tony Awards are for plays/musicals in New York City. No other cities, states or countriesare considered in the whole wide world. Fact. My other statements are purely my views and my views only."

The Tonys - like the Oscars - are all about commerce.  Artistry comes in behind big bucks.  Time to wake up and smell the Hamburger Helper.

[Kad]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 9:52am

EllieRose2 said: "I guess you missed the part about it being my opinion. I will say it again for people like you. These are my opinions and my opinions only. You don't have to like, agree or understand them. Have yourself a good day."

You can't assert something is a fact and then say it's also your opinion and hide behind that tired excuse. 

"The Tony Awards are based on shows in New York City.  Therefore, it is the best.  It's just a fact."

As a fact, it's not one. As an opinion, it's a poor one.

Broadway is the highest profile theatre in the country, sure.

(And many of these regional theaters have been awarded Tony awards- there's been a dedicated noncompetitive category for them for over 40 years).

[Synecdoche2]

Posted: 4/26/18 at 10:06am

NO, KAD. The only good theatre is BROADWAY. Off-Broadway? Nothing good has ever come of that. The Goodman? Guthrie? OSF? ART? Berkeley Rep? Garbage.

[LushyBear]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 1:11pm

EllieRose2 said: "I guess you missed the part about it being my opinion. I will say it again for people like you. These are my opinions and my opinions only. You don't have to like, agree or understand them. Have yourself a good day."

So you're saying that an out of town tryout of a show is vast inferior to it's transferred production on Broadway? Cool.

[mxfish1313]

Posted: 4/27/18 at 3:49pm

I'm thrilled to hear such a glowing review of this production! I actually just saw it in New York a couple weeks ago and was blown away. I thought seeing it at all, much less such a stellar version, was going to be a 'once in a lifetime' thing, then bam! I see a little blurb about this production!

I bought tickets for the final date as it's the day after my birthday. I was hemming and hawing about it, then saw that an old favorite band of mine is doing a little reunion tour and just happen to be playing SF on my actual birthday... so I decided I'll make a weekend of it. I loved Queer as Folk in high school so that plus Spinella has me excited about this cast, too. Can't wait to hear more reviews!

[SFCowboy]

Posted: 4/28/18 at 8:15pm

I saw Part 2 of Angels in America last night. I don't really have much to add from my earlier comments about Part 1.

For no particular reason, I had slept poorly the night before, so I was tired from the start. Once the show began I had no trouble staying awake, but I mention this because it might have had an effect on how I perceived the play.

Part 2 was just as riveting as Part 1. I found it perhaps a little less focused, but I don’t know how much of that was just me, how much was the performance, and how much was the play itself which seemed more rambling than Part 1. Some of the characters seemed a little less sure of themselves, and the first 20 minutes or so seemed a little tentative. I wonder if this will sharpen up with a little more time.

Don't get me wrong – the performance was still excellent. As Perestroika drew me back into the world of Angels …, I sat there realizing that in spite of its total of 7-1/2 hours, I really didn't want it to end, especially in this magical incarnation. I would have happily stayed for a Part 3 if it existed.

This time I want to highlight Carmen Roman who played Joe's mother, Hannah Pitt (terrific), and Ethel Rosenberg (simply amazing). I found myself eagerly anticipating every scene with Ethel Rosenberg – I just wanted to be in her company.

For Part 2 I was in the center orchestra, row F. Fantastic seats. There's enough rake in the orchestra that the stage floor was easily visible. But mezzanine is great too. Unlike the previous audience, unfortunately this time it was not so great. A purse behind me snapping and zipping open and shut constantly. A spilled drink. Two men in front of me occasionally talking at conversational levels who also inexplicably stood up and left about 10 minutes before the end. Oh well – what can you do?

Although I am seeing this in New York later in May, I'm sorely tempted to see it here again, it was that good.

[NievesG]

Posted: 4/28/18 at 8:40pm

EllieRose2 said: "Im not pre judging anything. It's widely known that the best theater district in the country is New York City. Broadway has the best of the best, and people spend years trying to get there. The Tony Awards are based on shows in New York City. Therefore, it is the best. It's just a fact. A lot of shows do "Broadway try outs", hoping they can make it to the very best city in the world for theater. Angels on Broadway is far superior simply because of the talent and money invested in the production. It's not really hard to comprehend. And yes, that's my opinion."

 

Umm, isn't the production (minus the wonderful Lee Pace) straight from a London run? So, this comment is just wrong (and weird).

 

[astromiami]

Posted: 4/28/18 at 9:15pm

People who do not live in New York often assume that Broadway is the "best."

For theatergoers in New York, it is one option. And not as exciting a one a off-Bway and the institutional theaters most of the time.

Personally, I think the best theater is seen at St. Ann's, BAM, and on theater row.

[NievesG]

Posted: 4/28/18 at 9:20pm

^^ True. My most memorable theater experiences have been at the Public (and the Delacorte, as an extension -- getting rained on during Troilus and Cressida, good times).

 

(edited so much because I cannot seem to type this evening)

Updated On: 4/28/18 at 09:20 PM

[jimmycurry01]

Posted: 4/29/18 at 1:02am

EllieRose2 said: "Im not pre judging anything. It's widely known that the best theater district in the country is New York City. Broadway has the best of the best, and people spend years trying to get there. The Tony Awards are based on shows in New York City. Therefore, it is the best. It's just a fact. A lot of shows do "Broadway try outs", hoping they can make it to the very best city in the world for theater. Angels on Broadway is far superior simply because of the talent and money invested in the production. It's not really hard to comprehend. And yes, that's my opinion."

This is the biggest line of bull sh!t I have read on here in a long while. Broadway is in NO way superior to the vast number of quality regional theatres in the US or around the world. These regional productions cast from the same talent pool, and offer incredible productions, some of which move on to Broadway, and many of those that make it to Broadway are not simply pre-Broadway tryouts. 

Furthermore, many in the Berkley production of Angels in America are actors who have performed on Broadway, and one won a Tony for the original Broadway production of this show. Yet, you say his talent is inferior to those in the current Broadway production, for some reason.

I am going to give you the benefit of the doubt and believe that you are a high school or undergrad student, and that you just don't have the experience yet to know how baseless your comments are. At your presumed young age, you do not yet know about some of the great regional theatres that lie outside of New York. You know nothing of the great theatres of Chicago like The Goodman, Steppenwolf, or even Chicago Shakes, all of which are homes to high caliber productions, often with big names in the industry. Your world view is still so limited that you are unfamiliar with the great theatre companies such as La Jolla, The Old Globe, Theatre Under the Stars, 5th Avenue Theatre Association, Paper Mill Playhouse, and The Walnut Street Theatre, all exceptional theatre cimpanies, featuring some of the best talent that the industry has to offer.

 

Now, I'm not saying you can't have your opinion, but your opinion seems to stem from ignorance and inexperience. This is not entirely your fault. You just have a lot to learn still. 

 

And Broadway is certainly not the dream for all stage actors. In fact, when there became interest in transfering August: Osage County to Broadway from Chicago, there were some in the cast who were reluctant to go. Many have established lives and careers in cities outside of New York. Broadway is not the end all, be all of American theatre, it is just one district that happens to lie in a very popular and crowded city.

My advice to you is to get out more; experience more theatre. Hit up these big name companies, see their talent; then, come back and tell us if you still have this perception of inferiority towards these regional houses.

 

[ChairinMain]

Posted: 4/29/18 at 2:24am

Cool. Anyway, getting back to this particular production...

 

I see that there are two actors listed for the Angel on the website; is there a posted schedule for how the role is divided? I can't find it online.

[SFCowboy]

Posted: 4/29/18 at 3:31pm

ChairinMain said: "I see that there are two actors listed for the Angel on the website; is there a posted schedule for how the role is divided? I can't find it online."

I haven't been able to find this information either. Francesca Faridany and Lisa Ramirez are both listed in the program. I don't remember even getting a slip of paper in the program. After Part 1 I noticed a sign at the box office stating that Francesca Faridany was the Angel. I forgot to check for Part 2.

I was curious why two Angels were cast. I'm guessing it's because of the physical demands of the role in this production? Is this typical for this play?

 

[SFCowboy]

Posted: 5/16/18 at 2:07pm

(There are two threads on the Berkeley Rep production of Angels In America. I'm posting in this one because this is where my previous posts were located.)

I just saw this production a second time. I was so enthralled with it the first time around during previews, I just had to experience it again, even though I'm seeing Angels in New York in a couple of weeks!

It was even better the second time, especially Part 2 which had tightened up. The dialog seemed even crisper and well-timed. I was completely absorbed into the action on stage. Phenomenal cast! Everyone was fantastic. I said it before, but it deserves mention again: OMG Stephen Spinella is a tour de force as Roy Cohn, and Randy Harrison is marvelous as Prior. I still don't know what the schedule is for the Angel, but I saw Francesca Faridany three times, and Lisa Ramirez once. I couldn't pick one over the other -- they were both great. Lisa Ramirez had maybe a slightly harder edge to her Angel.

The sets, the staging, and the lighting were stars in themselves. Magical, mesmerizing, and gorgeous. I appreciated this even more the second time around.

Interestingly I had always liked Part 1 better until this last viewing. Maybe it's because of the familiarity, but Part 1 now seems like a set-up to get to know the characters, with the most dramatic tension happening in Part 2. I can't imagine seeing just one part and being satisfied.

It will be really interesting to see this in New York. I'll be sure to report again after I've seen it there.

A couple of other random notes: Row J in the orchestra has lots of extra legroom, if that's helpful to you. Also, both times I saw this on a Friday night (once for Part 1 and once for Part 2) the audience was distinctly worse than when I saw it during the week, both in terms of audience behavior and audience responsiveness. I don't know if it was a coincidence, but I'm tempted to avoid Friday nights in the future.

[LushyBear]

Posted: 5/16/18 at 2:19pm

Re:seating - I asked to get moved from the last row of the Mezz to Box CC Seats 2/4 for some more space. The seats are great at that price. You don't miss much at all, but are a little closer to the action. I don't think they sell these online, but if you get the cheapest bracket, try to move to the boxes, if you don't mind missing a little bit.