Kristie Ohlinger is The Angel, and Daniel Green portrays Prior Walter, in EPAC's production of "Angels in America." Part 1 of this two-part play
opens Thursday, March 7.
'ANGELS' TAKES WING THURSDAY
You’ve probably heard of “Angels in
America.” But if you haven’t seen HBO’s TV miniseries, and if you haven’t had the
opportunity to see the play, you may not know what it’s about.
What IS this important, provocative, adult play about? That’s both a simple and a complex question to answer. It’s a question I pondered as I watched part of a rehearsal of EPAC’s production of “Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches” at the Sharadin Bigler Theatre earlier this week.
The show, set in 1985, is about two New York couples struggling within their relationships. Connections arise between the two couples as the play progresses.
Mormons Joe and Harper Pitt have been
sharing a somewhat-committed, yet passionless, marriage. Both are keeping important secrets.
Gay couple Louis Ironson and Prior Walter struggle with Prior’s advancing case of AIDS. The play takes place, after all, in the bad old days of the epidemic – when AZT was experimental and the drug cocktail that’s saved so many lives was unheard of.
Prior and Harper are guest stars in each other’s hallucinations; he’s sick, and she takes pills.
Other characters interact with these four – including Roy Cohn (of McCarthyism fame), a doctor, a couple of nurses, a mom and a rabbi.
Director Ed Fernandez has assembled a great cast to bring all these characters to life at EPAC.
But the play is also about love, loss, sexuality, personal responsibility, politics, moral choices, self-realization, self-awareness and so much more. It’s heartbreaking at times, and hilarious at others.
This Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning play features the fabulous writing of Tony Kushner, Oscar-nominated for the film “Lincoln.” When you watch EPAC’s production of “Angels in America,” you’ll know why Daniel Day-Lewis said he felt bereft of Kushner’s words when filming wrapped.
A great playwright takes you intimately into the lives of his characters while making you think deeply about the larger issues they face.
And Tony Kushner is a great playwright.
Be ready to be both entertained and challenged when you come to see “Angels in America,” which will be presented by EPAC in two parts during the next month. Part 1, “Millennium Approaches,” opens Thursday and runs through March 16; Part 2, “Perestroika,” runs from March 28-April 6.
Please note that the play contains strong language and adult themes; this is a play for grown-ups!
Remember: You can still buy a full subscription for the season through the end of the run of “Millennium Approaches.” If you buy tickets to both Parts 1 and 2, through the box office, at the same time, you’ll get a half-price discount on your ticket to Part 2.
Visit the website for information, or call (717) 733-7966 for information.
Thanks to our generous “Angels in America” sponsor, Alder Health Services. Thanks, also, to our season sponsor, Green Mountain Cyclery and the Farrington family, and our season media sponsor, Blue Ridge Communications.
Thanks, too, to Lily’s on Main for hosting the opening-night party on March 7 for “Millennium Approaches,” and to The Olde Lincoln House for the “Perestroika” opening-night party on March 28. Your ticket to an opening-night performance is also your ticket to the party.
SUZANNE WESTENHOEFER RETURNS!
Nationally known comedian SuzanneWestenhoefer, a native of Columbia, PA, returns to the Sharadin Bigler Theatre
for another raucous night of comedy at 8 p.m. on Friday, April 12.
Her shows sell out fast, so be sure to order your $35 tickets now! Your ticket includes a wine-and-cheese reception with this comedy-club headliner after the show.
Westenhoefer’s show is for grown-ups,
too! Boy, is it ever! But if you're a grown-up who doesn't mind "going there" with Suzanne ... your face will hurt from laughing.
Click here to order, or call the box
office at (717) 733-7966.
-- M. Wright
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