Angels in America - 2nd part only?

[Addendum]

I have an opportunity to see the 2nd part of Angels in America this Sunday.  My question is, should I if I wont be able to see Part 1 first?  Do they stand alone well, or will I be lost?  

[Jarethan]

I am sure that others will disagree, but I found Part 1 to be significantly superior to Part 2.  IMO Act 2 can get pretty esoteric quite frequently.  Also, I feel that the play does build; and, as a result, you are likely to be confused for a good portion of it.  Again, I am sure this will be disagreed with, but I just can't imagine seeing Part 2 without having seen Part 1.

[hollebolle]

The couple next to me at Part 2 last week hadn't seen Part 1. They seemed...confused. I got the distinct impression that they didn't find it to be very powerful, although, not knowing anything about them, that could have been for many reasons. I think there's enough context to get you through Part 2, but you definitely miss out on a ton of background and character development from Part 1. 

Would you ever see Part 1? If your options are Part 2 or nothing, I recommend going and maybe reading Part 1 beforehand just so you have that knowledge. 

[gypsy101]

maybe watch the first part of the HBO miniseries first? episodes 1, 2 & 3 i believe would cover the content of Part 1

[JBC3]

Lots of short video clip summaries available.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=angels+in+america+part+1+summary

[kmissa]

Jarethan said: "I am sure that others will disagree, but I found Part 1 to be significantly superior to Part 2. IMO Act 2 can get pretty esoteric quite frequently. Also, I feel that the play does build; and, as a result, you are likely to be confused for a good portion of it. Again, I am sure this will be disagreed with, but I just can't imagine seeing Part 2 without having seen Part 1."

I agree. Part one is amazing, I don’t see the point in the second half without the build of the first. 

[ThirstyThersites]

Just see it. Read or watch part one - watch some clips so you get the aesthetics of this production and what the characters look and sound like and you'll be good. Not worth missing. 

[RJ14]

Watch part 1 first from the Nation Theatre production. I'm sure it's available somewhere online

[atuomala]

I would personally prioritize seeing Part I before Part II. Part II perfectly compliments Part I. If you can’t, read a synopsis of Part I on the internet so you have an idea of what’s going on in Part II.

[Hest88]

I can't imagine seeing Part 2 without first seeing Part 1. They're not stand-alone stories.

[Soaring29]

See both......  As a huge fan of the play, seeing just part 2 is simply not feasible to me lol. 

[BJR]

See it.

I think you can actually get most plot points from Part 1 in Part 2, but why waste time trying to put things together. Yes, read up and watch a couple clips and then see it.

For what it's worth, as unpopular an opinion as it is, I vastly prefer Part 2. And this production does it better than any I've seen.

[JBC3]

Someone on All that Chat has posted that HBO SIGNATURE (channel 513 on Spectrum in NYC) is airing the Mike Nichols version on Sat (6/16).

[jbird5]

I saw part 2 without seeing part 1 and was lost regarding Prior, Louis, etc. But it doesn’t really matter, the Roy Cohn plot takes over and most people should have at least a passing familiarity with his story. The rest of it devolves into glorious fantasy that was mostly absent from part 1 (I saw it later). Part 1 is mainly exposition for part 2 and you can get that by reading watching the movie, etc. You will miss some of Nathan’s best bits though.