ANGELS IN AMERICA (2018) Previews- Page 5

[Debbie77]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 12:38pm

lightguy06222 said: "loved part one. it felt like it ZOOMED by.



BUTTT I had major problems with how the director got the angel onstage in the final moment of the show......

Let me preface this by saying I have NEVER read or seen the play....

I was absolutely loving the show. completely invested.... we're nearing the end of the show. it seems like this is PROB the final scene..... There is Garfield on his bed, freaking out, with bright white light shining down on him, speaking up to the angel from the heavens. here we are, about to introduce the angel that he's staring up at. the lights seem to get brighter and brighter on Garfield... then BLACKOUT.

The audience immediately breaks into applause. And I think to myself, "This is the end of part one?!?! What a BRILLIANT ending....."

But no.... the lights come back on for 30 more seconds of scene so we can meet the angel..... they used the blackout to get the angel and puppeteers onstage.... it COMPLETELY took me out of the show.

I like the angel. I loved the wings. I liked the puppeteers. I was just completely surprised that the director/designer would use a BLACKOUT 30 seconds before the end of the show! When the ONLY blackouts ever seen in the previous 4 hours of theatre were at the end of the act.....

It took me out of it for that final moment... all I could think is "oh I guess its not over... no wait. it is over? I don't know. "

"

Agreed 100%

Not that this isn’t a goose-bump moment....because it is.  BUT...the blackout was awkward and confusing to the audience.  I thought “this is strange...thought I’d see the angel in Part 1, oh wait....there she is”!  How would others handle this?  Specifically, what did other productions do?

[BroadwayConcierge]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 12:40pm

From what I'm reading, I hope they tighten up the end of Part 1 for greater effect when I go in a few weeks. This will be my first live production of Angels (I've only seen the HBO miniseries), and I hope the Angel's arrival is as breathtaking as I imagine it in my head. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:12pm

I feel like I’m only person who thinks the Angel should be flown in on wires. The puppeteering in this production, while interesting and at times beautiful, feels so clunky. I also wonder if it’s confusing for people who are unfamiliar with the play. I think she needs to fly, really fly.

[Alex M]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:24pm

TotallyEffed said: "I feel like I’m only person who thinks the Angel should be flown in on wires. The puppeteering in this production, while interesting and at times beautiful, feels so clunky. I also wonder if it’s confusing for people who are unfamiliar with the play. I think she needs to fly, really fly."

I completely agree. My friend and I were so ready for the angel to fly down and were slightly disappointed by what they did instead. 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 1:53pm

TotallyEffed said: "I feel like I’m only person who thinks the Angel should be flown in on wires. The puppeteering in this production, while interesting and at times beautiful, feels so clunky. I also wonder if it’s confusing for people who are unfamiliar with the play. I think she needs to fly, really fly."

Couldn’t disagree more. I’m so glad they chose to do something different with the Angel. The effect, for me and the folks I saw the show with, was absolutely stunning. I’m not sure what adding wires to the Angel does except try to create the illusion of genuine flight. But it’s so obviously fake anyway, why not try something different? Marianne Elliott created one of the most breathtaking stage moments I’ve ever seen with this effect, and it’s not even really an “effect.” Also, if the audience has trouble suspending their disbelief that she’s flying because she’s tethered to humans instead of airborne on wires, this is probably not the play for them.

I’m also curious as to how the audience was confused about the blackout right before this reveal? It’s not like the sound cuts out. And all signs point to “something is about to happen.” I found the build-up thrilling.

[Lot666]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:22pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "I’m also curious as to how the audience was confused about the blackout right before this reveal? It’s not like the sound cuts out. Andall signs point to “something is about to happen.” I found the build-up thrilling."

What is going on, sound-wise, during the blackout? 

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:28pm

Just more beating wings sounds. Nothing special. But definitely not indicative of “end of play,” at least in my experience. And the audience at my performance did not applaud.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:32pm

ColorTheHours048 said: "Just more beating wings sounds. Nothing special. But definitely not indicative of “end of play,” at least in my experience. And the audience at my performance did not applaud."

The audience did not applaud at my performance either. I thought that the Angel's entrance was one of the most striking things I have seen onstage.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:49pm

TotallyEffed said: "I feel like I’m only person who thinks the Angel should be flown in on wires. The puppeteering in this production, while interesting and at times beautiful, feels so clunky. I also wonder if it’s confusing for people who are unfamiliar with the play. I think she needs to fly, really fly."

Completely agree. And the end of Millennium is really not the moment to introduce a new, completely incongruous staging concept. The entrance was extremely awkward, graceless, and earthbound. 

[TotallyEffed]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:55pm

The audience erupted into applause during the blackout on Saturday night. I flew to London to see this production and even I wondered if they had changed it and the play was indeed over.

I wasn’t implying that they try and stage “realistic” flying, Kushner himself notes that the wires should be visible. So yes, I would prefer an Angel who is flown in, or as ColorTheHours said, an Angel with an “illusion of genuine flight.”

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 2:58pm

I was at that performance as well. Maybe the timing was off because it was Beth's first time, but that blackout was just so clumsy.

Performances were very good and it's one of the greatest plays, so nbd. But the direction and design felt weirdly amateurish.

[ColorTheHours048]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:24pm

Scarywarhol said: "And the end of Millennium is really not the moment to introduce a new, completely incongruous staging concept."

I think that’s exactly the time to introduce a new staging concept into the production. The world of the play has burst open in that moment. In the same way that a fire-spewing book emerging from the stage is incongruous.

It also sounds like there may have been a delay in bringing the lights back up on Beth’s first night. That may also have had something to do with it. Who knows. Clearly this production and its stage magic are more divisive than I thought it would be.

[Cape Twirl of Doom]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:31pm

I saw the first preview on Friday night (seeing Part 2 tomorrow) and the audience was dead silent during the blackout. No one started to clap.

[Scarywarhol]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:32pm

I should clarify: not the time to introduce a concept that seems more about being interesting than being impactful or awe-inspiring. That moment needs to feel enormous. I ended this production of Millennium feeling like, Oh, well, I guess that's a choice. It completely removed me from the play. I hope to feel differently when I return for Perestroika.

[nycward]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:47pm

At Sunday's performance the ending was quite thrilling. There were sound effects during the blackout and the reveal of the Angel was quite striking. I think one needs to have a little patience during early previews. I'm sure the denouement of the first play will tighten with time.

I'm more concerned about the repetition of the three turntables of unattractive rooms during the first two acts, but I suspect that the staging of the second part will justifying the transition from order to abstraction.

All in all, a worthy evening for anyone who truly loves theatre.

[IdinaBellFoster]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 3:54pm

LesWickedly said: "IdinaBellFoster said: "I wish the price gap was smaller between the $99 seats and the rest of the theatre. Would love to upgrade, but not for $200 more dollars."

You could use the code MAIL1 to get closer in the mezzanine (Row L) or Rear Orchestra (Row U and on I believe) and it’d cost $100 more. Yes, I wish there were broader price points as I’ll be paying a little more than $200 to possibly upgrade to front row, but in a month or so, I’ll forget about how much I paid (hopefully)."

Thanks for the heads up!

[JBC3]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 4:32pm

In A World Spins Forward,Kushner is quoted saying to skip the flying as the extra rehearsal required is not worth it

[Angel2018]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 5:19pm

For those asking about Beth Malone's performance dates. They're posted in the Playbill

For the previews, she is scheduled for the March 2, 3, 4, 10, 15, 16 performances

And after the show officially opens, she will be on every Wednesday for the double shows (Part One & Two) 

She also tweeted that she takes over the role full time some time in mid May

 

Updated On: 2/27/18 at 05:19 PM

[LesWickedly]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 5:27pm

Any other thoughts about front row seating? I know, always asking about seating.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 5:39pm

Go for it. Better to be close. And 2 of the actors sit right on the edge of the stage right in front of you.

You’re welcome.

[mxfish1313]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 7:45pm

I posted about a couple I chatted with on the way home who sat back there. They said it was fine, but they had binoculars. I was in the 3rd row of the orch. I would 100% upgrade if you can."

So my mom and I are also going to be in the 3rd row on 4/12 & 4/13 (A 106 & 107). What did you think of that row? We bought the tickets so long ago that I'd forgotten that there were two rows in front of us (AA & BB) and had it in my head that we were in the very front. On the one hand, I'm glad we're not going to be right up against the stage, missing stuff and craning our necks, but on the other hand, based on the IG pic someone here posted, that wouldn't be the case even with seats in AA. It's not like we can switch them now, but I guess I just want FOMO reassurance about this row, haha.

[greenifyme2]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 8:27pm

mxfish1313 said: "I posted about a couple I chatted with on the way home who sat back there. They said it was fine, but they had binoculars. I was in the 3rd row of the orch. I would 100% upgrade if you can."

So my mom and I are also going to be in the 3rd row on 4/12 & 4/13 (A 106 & 107). What did you think of that row? We bought the tickets so long ago that I'd forgotten that there were two rows in front of us (AA & BB) and had it in my head that we were in the very front. On the one hand, I'm glad we're not going to be right up against the stage, missing stuff and craning our necks, but on the other hand, based on the IG pic someone here posted, that wouldn't be the case even with seats in AA. It's not like we can switch them now, but I guess I just want FOMO reassurance about this row, haha."

Your 3rd row center seats will be incredible. You won’t be sad at all!

[Callum_brown1]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 9:02pm

Having seen the show last year in London (both parts front row for less than $20 thanks to the National Theatre young persons scheme), I'm wondering if...

 

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Roy's office/appartment that rises from the floor of the stage and looks like a long corridor has transferred with the production too, or if this was only suited to the National's stage. I only ask because the same set had previously been used in a production of Ma Rainey's Black Bottom the previous year on the same stage. Guess the National likes recycling scenery.

 

[Eliza2]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 9:14pm

what's the legroom like in the front mezz? I bought a center seat before I realized how long it was, and now I'm wondering if I should switch to an aisle seat. 

[ArtMan]

Posted: 2/27/18 at 9:55pm

This could be a really stupid question.  When one is looking for same day, Parts 1 and 2 and the price is say $99,  is that $99 per part or $99 total? When I press on a certain seat , it gives me one total of $99 without going to Part 2.  I did not confirm the first purchase so I'm not sure if it then charges another $99.  Looking for a quick answer to my question.  I am somehow psyching myself for a trip that i didn't plan on taking. Thanks in advance.