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Angels in America
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==Production history== [[File:Angels in America 1993 lo res.jpg|thumb|right|200px|Front cover of the programme for the 1992 [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] production of part one of the play]] ''Angels in America'' was commissioned by the [[Eureka Theatre Company|Eureka Theatre Company]] in San Francisco, by co-artistic directors [[Oskar Eustis]] and [[Tony Taccone]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Angels in America: The Complete Oral History|date=June 28, 2016|url=http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/cover_story/2016/06/oral_history_of_tony_kushner_s_play_angels_in_america.html|publisher=Slate}}</ref> It was first performed in Los Angeles as a workshop in May 1990 by the Center Theatre Group at the [[Mark Taper Forum]]. ''Millennium Approaches'' premiered in May 1991 in a production performed by the [[Eureka Theatre Company]] of San Francisco, directed by [[David Esbjornson]].<ref>{{cite web | title=The Public Theater at Stanford Presents: Artistic Team | url=http://www.stanford.edu/group/sica/ptny/artisticteam.html | work=The Bacchae | publisher=Stanford University | year=2007 | access-date=2008-06-26| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20080610092243/http://www.stanford.edu/group/sica/ptny/artisticteam.html| archive-date= June 10, 2008 <!--DASHBot-->| url-status=live}}</ref> In [[West End theatre|London]] it premiered in a [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre]] production at the [[Cottesloe Theatre]], directed by [[Declan Donnellan]].<ref name=rnt>From the programme to the RNT's production of ''Millennium Approaches'' in 1992.</ref> [[Henry Goodman]] played Cohn, [[Nick Reding (actor)|Nick Reding]] played Joe, [[Felicity Montagu]] played Harper, [[Marcus D'Amico]] played Louis, and [[Sean Chapman]] played Prior.<ref name=rnt/> Opening on January 23, 1992, the London production ran for a year. In November 1992 it visited Düsseldorf as part of the first [[Union of the Theatres of Europe|Union des Théâtres de l'Europe]] festival.<ref name=rnt2>From the programme to the RNT's production of ''Millennium Approaches'' and ''Perestroika'' in 1993.</ref> The play's second part, ''[[Perestroika]]'', was still being developed as ''Millennium Approaches'' was being performed. It was performed several times as staged readings by both the Eureka Theatre (during the world premiere of part one in 1991), and the Mark Taper Forum (in May 1992). It premiered in November 1992 in a production by the Mark Taper Forum, directed by [[Oskar Eustis]] and [[Tony Taccone]]. In November 1993 it received its London debut at the National Theatre on the Cottesloe stage, in repertory with a revival of ''Millennium Approaches'', again directed by [[Declan Donnellan]].<ref name=rnt2/> [[David Schofield (actor)|David Schofield]] played Cohn, [[Daniel Craig]] played Joe, [[Clare Holman]] played Harper, [[Jason Isaacs]] played Louis, [[Joseph Mydell]] played Belize and won the [[Olivier Award]] for Best Supporting Actor, and [[Stephen Dillane]] played Prior.<ref name=rnt2/> The entire two-part play debuted on [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] at the [[Walter Kerr Theatre]] in 1993, directed by [[George C. Wolfe]], with ''Millennium Approaches'' performed on May 4 and ''Perestroika'' joining it in repertory on November 23, closing December 4, 1994. The original cast included [[Ron Leibman]], [[Stephen Spinella]], [[Kathleen Chalfant]], [[Marcia Gay Harden]], [[Jeffrey Wright]], [[Ellen McLaughlin]], [[David Marshall Grant]] and [[Joe Mantello]]. Among the replacements during the run were [[F. Murray Abraham]] (for Ron Leibman), [[Cherry Jones]] (for Ellen McLaughlin), [[Dan Futterman]] (for Joe Mantello), [[Cynthia Nixon]] (for Marcia Gay Harden) and [[Jay Goede]] (for David Marshall Grant). ''Millennium Approaches'' and ''Perestroika'' were awarded, in 1993 and 1994 respectively, both the [[Tony Awards]] for [[Tony Award for Best Play|Best Play]] and [[Drama Desk Award]]s for Outstanding Play. The published script indicates that Kushner made a few revisions to ''Perestroika'' in the following year. These changes officially completed the work in 1995.<ref>Kushner, Tony. ''Angels in America: Parts 1 & 2'', [[Nick Hern Books]], London, 2007</ref> In 1994, the first national tour launched at the Royal George Theater in Chicago, directed by [[Michael Mayer (director)|Michael Mayer]], with the following cast: Peter Birkenhead as Louis Ironson, Reginald Flowers as Belize, [[Kate Goehring]] as Harper Pitt, [[Jonathan Hadary]] as Roy Cohn, Philip E. Johnson as Joe Pitt, [[Barbara E. Robertson]] as Hannah Pitt, Robert Sella as Prior, and Carolyn Swift as the Angel.<ref>{{cite news |author=Richard Christiansen |date=September 26, 1994 |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/09/26/astounding-angels/ |title=Astounding 'Angels': First Installment Of Kushner Saga Jolts The Emotions |newspaper=Chicago Tribune}}</ref> The Australian premiere of ''Millennium Approaches'' was produced by [[Melbourne Theatre Company]] at [[Russell Street Theatre]] on 15 October 1993, running till 20 November 1993.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/21155|title=AusStage : Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches| access-date=2024-02-26}}</ref> The Australian premier of the entire two-part play was also produced by [[Melbourne Theatre Company]], presented at the [[Arts Centre Melbourne|Playhouse]], Melbourne, on 30 August 1994, running through till 25 September 1994. .<ref>{{cite web|url=https://ausstage.edu.au/pages/event/25604|title=AusStage : Angels in America, Part 1: Millennium Approaches, and Part 2: Perestroika|access-date=2024-02-26}}</ref> A Toronto production of both plays, directed by [[Bob Baker (director)|Bob Baker]], opened at CanStage's [[Berkley Theater|Berkley Theatre]] in November 1996 and ran for 8 months. The cast included Steve Cumyn (Prior), Alex Poch-Goldin (Louis), Tom Wood (Roy Cohn), [[Patricia Hamilton]] (Hannah, Ethel Rosenberg and others), David Storch (Joe), [[Karen Hines]] (Harper), Cassel Miles (Belize, Mr. Lies and others) and Linda Prystawska (Angel and othes). Kushner made relatively minor revisions to ''Millennium Approaches'' and additional, more substantial revisions to ''Perestroika'' during a run at the [[Signature Theatre Company (New York City)|Signature Theatre]] in 2010, which were published in a 2013 complete edition. That production was directed by [[Michael Greif]] and featured [[Christian Borle]] as Prior, [[Zachary Quinto]] as Louis, [[Billy Porter (entertainer)|Billy Porter]] as Belize, [[Bill Heck]] as Joe, [[Zoe Kazan]] as Harper, [[Robin Bartlett]] as Hannah, [[Frank Wood (actor)|Frank Wood]] as Roy, and [[Robin Weigert]] as the angel.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Dziemianowicz|first1=Joe|title=''Angels in America'' review: Zachary Quinto flies high in perfect revival of Tony Kushner play|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/music-arts/angels-america-review-zachary-quinto-flies-high-perfect-revival-tony-kushner-play-article-1.186396|access-date=July 20, 2014|work=New York Daily News|date=29 October 2010}}</ref> In 2013, a production of the two-part play was produced by Sydney-based theatre company, [[Belvoir (theatre company)|Belvoir]]. The cast featured Luke Mullins as Prior Walter, [[Mitchell Butel]] as Louis Ironson,<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.theaustralian.com.au/arts/where-angels-dared-to-tread/story-e6frg8n6-1226649460772|title="Where Angels Dared to Tread" | The Australian|accessdate=May 14, 2023}}</ref> [[Marcus Graham]] as Roy Cohn, [[Ashley Zukerman]] as Joe Pitt, Amber McMahon as Harper Pitt, [[Robyn Nevin]] as Hannah Pitt, [[DeObia Oparei]] as Belize, and [[Paula Arundell]] as The Angel.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://blogs.crikey.com.au/curtaincall/2013/06/19/review-angels-in-america-belvoir-st-theatre-sydney/|title=REVIEW: Angels In America, Belvoir St Theatre, Sydney|publisher=Crikey|date=2013-06-19|access-date=2018-03-15|archive-date=February 10, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180210180520/https://blogs.crikey.com.au/curtaincall/2013/06/19/review-angels-in-america-belvoir-st-theatre-sydney/|url-status=dead}}</ref> The show ran from June 1 to July 14 at the [[Belvoir St Theatre]], before transferring to the [[Theatre Royal, Sydney|Theatre Royal]] for the remainder of its run. The production finished its season on July 27.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.killyourdarlings.com.au/2013/06/angels-in-america-at-belvoir-street-theatre/|title=Angels in America at Belvoir Street Theatre|first=Dion|last=Kagan|publisher=Kill Your Darlings|date=2013-06-19|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/theatre/angels-soars-in-a-new-millennium-20130602-2njjn.html|title=Angels soars in a new millennium|first=Jason|last=Blake|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2013-06-02|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref> A second Toronto production by [[Soulpepper Theatre Company]] in 2013 and 2014 starred [[Damien Atkins]] as Prior Walter, [[Gregory Prest]] as Louis, Mike Ross as Joe, [[Diego Matamoros]] as Roy and [[Nancy Palk]] as Hannah, Ethel Rosenberg and the rabbi.<ref>[http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/08/08/theatre-review-soulpeppers-angels-in-america-is-heaven-sent/ "Theatre Review: Soulpepper’s ''Angels in America'' is heaven sent"] {{webarchive |url=https://archive.today/20141012001339/http://arts.nationalpost.com/2013/08/08/theatre-review-soulpeppers-angels-in-america-is-heaven-sent/ |date=October 12, 2014 }}. ''[[National Post]]'', August 8, 2013.</ref> ''Millennium Approaches'' made its [[Edinburgh Festival Fringe|Edinburgh Fringe Festival]] debut, in a production by St Andrews-based Mermaids Theatre, in August 2013 to critical acclaim. Asia premiered the play in its entirety in 1995 by the New Voice Company in the Philippines.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fil-event.co.uk/blogs_/Meeting-Monique-Wilson---My-story.shtml|title=Meeting Monique Wilson - My story|first=Malcolm|last=Conian|publisher=Fil-Event|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref> This was followed by another production in November 2014 at the Singapore Airlines Theatre.<ref>[http://www.lasalle.edu.sg/events/angels-in-america-part-1-and-part-2/ "''Angels in America'' Part 1 and Part 2] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304205106/http://www.lasalle.edu.sg/events/angels-in-america-part-1-and-part-2/ |date=March 4, 2016 }}, LASALLE College of the Arts Events page. Accessed 11 October 2014.</ref> An Italian adaptation of the play premiered in [[Modena]] in 2007, in a production directed by [[Ferdinando Bruno|Ferdinando Bruni]] and Elio De Capitani<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.sipario.it/recensioniprosaa/item/1956-sipario-recensioni-angels-in-america.html|title=Angels In America - regia Ferdinando Bruni, Elio De Capitani|last=Arrigoni|first=Nicola|access-date=2018-05-18|language=it-it}}</ref> which was awarded several national awards.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.elfo.org/stagioni/20112012/angelsinamericamadrid.html|title=angels in america|publisher=www.elfo.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-18|archive-date=May 19, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180519032826/https://www.elfo.org/stagioni/20112012/angelsinamericamadrid.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> The same production ran for three days in Madrid in 2012. In the fall of 2016, the Round House Theatre and Olney Theatre Center in Montgomery County, Maryland, collaborated to present a 25th anniversary production of the play, offering Parts I and II in repertory.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.theatreindc.com/angels-in-america-millennium-approaches/2766/ | title=Angels in America: Millennium Approaches - Round House Theatre - DC }}</ref> ''The Washington Post''{{'}}s theater critic called it an "epically engrossing, acidly funny masterwork."<ref>{{cite news| last=Marks | first=Peter | title=Summoning those better 'Angels' | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=13 September 2016 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/entertainment/theater_dance/summoning-those-better-angels/2016/09/13/d27638a2-79d9-11e6-bd86-b7bbd53d2b5d_story.html | access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> In April 2017, a new production began previews at the [[Royal National Theatre|National Theatre, London]] in the [[Lyttelton Theatre]]. Directed by [[Marianne Elliott (director)|Marianne Elliott]], the cast included [[Andrew Garfield]] as [[Prior Walter]] with [[Russell Tovey]] as Joe, [[Denise Gough]] as Harper, [[James McArdle]] as Louis Ironson, [[Nathan Stewart-Jarrett]] as Belize and [[Nathan Lane]] as [[Roy Cohn]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.playbill.com/article/national-theatre-announces-further-plans-for-2017-and-additonal-casting-for-angels-in-america-and-follies|title=National Theatre Announces Additional Casting for Angels in America and Follies |last=Shenton|first=Mark|date=October 11, 2016|website=Playbill|language=en|access-date=2017-04-18}}</ref> In [[2018 Laurence Olivier Awards|April 2018]], the production was nominated for six [[Laurence Olivier Awards|Olivier Awards]], winning for [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Revival|Best Revival]] and [[Laurence Olivier Award for Best Actress in a Supporting Role|Best Actress in a Supporting Role in a Play]] for Gough.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/191405/hamilton-breaks-olivier-nominations-record-angels-in-america-the-ferryman-also-honored/|title=Hamilton Breaks Olivier Nominations Record; Angels in America & The Ferryman Also Honored|last=Lefkowitz|first=Andy|date=March 6, 2018|publisher=Broadway.com|language=en|access-date=2018-03-06}}</ref> The production was filmed and broadcast to cinemas around the world as part of the [[National Theatre Live]] initiative, and later released in 2021 on the company's ''NT at Home'' streaming service.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gordon |first1=David |title=National Theatre Begins Streaming Angels in America With Nathan Lane and Andrew Garfield |url=https://www.theatermania.com/london-theater/news/national-theatre-begin-streaming-angels-in-america_91902.html |website=TheaterMania |date=February 8, 2021 |access-date=10 February 2021}}</ref> In August 2017, a new production of ''Millennium Approaches'' was brought to San Juan, [[Puerto Rico]], by Teatro Público Inc. Directed by Benjamín Cardona, the cast featured Carlos Miranda as [[Roy Cohn]], Jacqueline Duprey as Hannah, Gabriela Saker as Harper, and Liván Albelo as Prior. The production received critical praise and launched the new theater company.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.elnuevodia.com/entretenimiento/cultura/nota/eldirectorbenjamincardonaenfrentaungranretoteatral-2345243/|title=El director Benjamín Cardona enfrenta un gran reto teatral|date=2017-08-01|work=El Nuevo Dia|access-date=2017-09-06|language=es-pr}}</ref> In September 2017, a revival of the two plays were staged in [[Melbourne]] at [[fortyfivedownstairs]] for nearly a four-week run. The cast included veteran actor [[Helen Morse]] as Hannah Pitt, and Margaret Mills (who had appeared in the original Australian premiere of the play in 1994) as The Angel.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://artsreview.com.au/angels-in-america-fortyfivedownstairs/|title=Angels in America|publisher=Arts Review|date=2017-05-23|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/stage/angels-in-america-review-superior-acting-delivers-brilliant-and-moving-work-20170907-gycnmj.html|title=Angels in America review: Superior acting delivers brilliant and moving work|first=Cameron|last=Woodhead|newspaper=Sydney Morning Herald|date=2017-09-07|access-date=2018-03-15}}</ref> In February 2018, the 2017 [[Royal National Theatre]] production transferred to [[Broadway theatre|Broadway]] for an 18-week engagement at the [[Neil Simon Theatre]]. The majority of the London cast returned, with [[Lee Pace]] replacing Tovey as Joe, and [[Beth Malone]] playing the Angel at certain performances.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/Breaking-News-Lee-Pace-Joins-ANGELS-IN-AMERICA-on-Broadway-20171019|title=Breaking News: Lee Pace Joins Angels in America on Broadway|date=2017-10-19|publisher=BroadwayWorld.com|access-date=2017-10-19|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.broadway.com/buzz/190848/beth-malone-more-to-join-nathan-lane-andrew-garfield-in-angels-in-america/|title=Beth Malone & More to Join Nathan Lane & Andrew Garfield in Angels in America|last=Lefkowitz|first=Andy|date=2018-01-09|publisher=Broadway.com|access-date=2018-01-10|language=en}}</ref> Previews began on February 23, 2018, with opening night on March 25.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.whatsonstage.com/news/angels-in-america-broadway-transfer_44559.html|title=Angels in America announces Broadway transfer|last=Wood|first=Alex|date=2017-08-07|publisher=WhatsOnStage.com|access-date=2017-09-07}}</ref><ref name=":0" /> The production won for [[Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play|Best Revival of a Play]] at that year's [[72nd Tony Awards|Tony Awards]], with Garfield and Lane winning for [[Tony Award for Best Actor in a Play|Best Performance by a Leading Actor in a Play]] and [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actor in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actor in a Play]] respectively for their reprisal of their National Theatre performances, while Denise Gough and Susan Brown were nominated for [[Tony Award for Best Featured Actress in a Play|Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play]]. The production was recorded as an audiobook by [[Random House Audio]], with Malone as the Angel and [[Bobby Canavale]] and [[Edie Falco]] narrating.<ref>{{Cite web| title = Angels in America by Tony Kushner: 9780593153949 {{!}} PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books| work = PenguinRandomhouse.com| access-date = 2020-12-29| url = https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/604083/angels-in-america-by-tony-kushner/}}</ref> A critically acclaimed production opened at [[Berkeley Repertory Theatre]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/1718/12033.asp |title=Angels in America at Berkeley Rep |website=www.berkeleyrep.org |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170813021904/http://www.berkeleyrep.org/season/1718/12033.asp |archive-date=2017-08-13}}</ref> in April 2018, directed by original commissioner [[Tony Taccone]] and featuring [[Randy Harrison]] as Prior, [[Stephen Spinella]] (who originated Prior Walter on Broadway) as Roy Cohn, Carmen Roman as Hannah, Benjamin T. Ismail as Louis, Danny Binstock as Joe, Bethany Jillard as Harper, Francisca Faridany and Lisa Ramirez alternating as the Angel, and Caldwell Tidicue, better known as [[Bob the Drag Queen]], making his stage debut as Belize. In the spring of 2023, Washington, D.C.'s Arena Stage presented Part 1, ''Millennium Approaches'', starkly staged by Hungarian director Janos Szasz.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.arenastage.org/tickets/2022-23-season/angels-in-america/ | title=Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches }}</ref> ''The Washington Post''{{'}}s critic noted "''Angels in America'' is back in freshly provocative, exhilarating form," particularly "the collision of seven disparate figures...who interconnect over matters political, medical, romantic — and most malignantly, through the machinations of one of them, lawyer Roy Cohn, played by Edward Gero to the toxic T."<ref>{{cite news| last=Marks | first=Peter | title=Review - 'Angels in America' is back in freshly provocative, exhilarating form | newspaper=The Washington Post | date=2 April 2023 | url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/theater-dance/2023/04/02/angels-america-kushner-arena-stage/ | access-date=14 May 2023}}</ref> The South Australian revival of ''Millennium Approaches'' & ''Perestroika'' directed by Hayley Horton as performed at the Adelaide Little Theatre by the Adelaide Theatre Guild from 2 May 2024 - 25 May 2024. The production starred Kate Anolak as Hannah, Lee Cook as Louis, Rachel Dalton as The Angel, Brant Eustice as Roy, Matt Houston as Prior, Casmira Lorien as Harper, Eric McDowell and Belize and Lindsay Prodea as Joe with original music by Phil Short. In October 2024, a production of the play opened at [[Finnish National Theatre]] where it had also run three decades earlier in 1994. The new production was adapted to a single four-hour play by Linda Wallgren who also directed it.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Parkkinen |first1=Pia |title=Aids-kriisiä kuvaava mammuttinäytelmä on yhä ajankohtainen – yksi rooleista on Donald Trumpin oppi-isä |url=https://yle.fi/a/74-20116196 |access-date=16 January 2025 |publisher=Yle |date=8 October 2024 |language=Finnish}}</ref> In April 2025, the [[Toneelgroep Amsterdam|International Theatre Amsterdam]] ensemble performed a new production of the play, remaking the 2008 version directed by ITA director [[Ivo van Hove]]. Kushner expressed his admiration for the 2008 production, called it the best iteration of the play he had seen so far.
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