Review: Wilma Theater's ANGELS IN AMERICA, PART TWO

It's not often we get to revisit characters and a story from a previous evening at the theatre.  Luckily for Philadelphia theatre audiences, The Wilma Theater took on both parts of the epic Angels in America saga by Tony Kushner.  The Wilma's Millennium Approaches was a powerful closure to the 2011/12 theatre season.  Perestroika kicks off their 2012/13 season with an equally resounding force.

Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika dives back into the lives of several New Yorkers in the 1980s and 90s.  The unprincipled lawyer Roy Cohn is forced to accept his AIDS diagnosis while enduring visits by the deceased Ethel Rosenburg.  The devoutly Mormon Joe accepts that he's gay and leaves his wife for Louis, the ex-lover of Prior.  A prophetic Prior takes on angelic forces and befriends Joe's mother.  Harper continues to fly high and try to find footing in the world.  Their stories continue and in the end a message of hope prevails.

Millennium Approaches was spectacular and Perestroika is similarly a complete triumph. Blanka Zizka's direction was truly spot on and the entire ensemble flawlessly portrayed and advanced these important roles. 

The Wilma Theater's not-to be-missed Angels in America, Part One and Part Two are currently running in rep through October 21, 2012.  For tickets and more information, visit https://wilmatheater.org.  Click here to read my review of Part One, Millennium Approaches. 

Photo Credit: Alexander Iziliaev

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