February 2011: Angels in America, NYC

The new production of Angels in America at the Signature Theatre Company as staged by Rent and Next to Normal director Micheal Greif (in the house at my performance) is fantastic and expensive (seriously, this is a non-profit off-Broadway company; where do they get their money?!?) though I still have mixed feelings about the play(s). I love Part 1 (aka Millenium Approaches) with its interesting characters and building tension that climaxes with an angel crashing through the roof of Prior Walter's apartment. It's so thrilling! Unfortunately, what it sets up, Part 2 (Perestroika), is nowhere near as interesting or dramatic for me though I did detect a substantial amount of rewriting that does indeed improve the script. 

Part 2's running time (nearly 4 hours) is still excessive even though this cast, including replacements Michael Urie (Mark on Ugly Betty), Keira Keeley, Lynne McCollough and Adam Driver joining originals Billy Porter, Bill Heck and Frank Wood, is excellent. I was only slightly disappointed by replacement Sofia Jean Gomez, whose work as the Angel I found somewhat lacking in ferocity and velocity (not her problem per se but I think a different actress might have otherwise made up for the disappointing aerials, the set's only lacking design element). Overall though, I doubt that a better production of this landmark play will be seen anytime soon.