Part One: Millennium Approaches
Playhouse On Park, West Hartford, CT
through October 19, 2014
by Walt Haggerty
Playhouse On Park has created an extraordinary production of
Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize winning play “Angels in America," and to
borrow a line from Arthur Miller, “Attention must be paid!”
“Angels in America” was written some 20 years ago,
approximately ten years after the outbreak of the AIDS epidemic, and, yes, it
is about AIDS, and oh so much more. The play is about caring, compassion, and
love. It is about human needs -- physical as well as emotional. It is about
concern for one another and mutual support. It is about attempting to live up
to expectations, facing and accepting who we are and what we are, and finally,
about survival.
Photo by Rich Wagner |
The Playhouse On Park production is directed by Sean Harris
with great sensitivity and flawlessly cast with an exceptionally talented
ensemble, every one of whom delivers an award-deserving performance. In most
cases, cast members perform multiple roles, always with distinctly drawn
characterizations.
It is impossible to identify any single player for special praise,
as this is a true ensemble production with every participant contributing
brilliantly. These are not simply actors playing a part; they truly become the
character they are portraying. Notable contributions are made by all, starting
with Jim Shankman as Roy Cohn, Time Hackney as Joe Pitt, Kristen Harlow as
Joe’s wife Harper, James Parenti as Prior Walter, Marty Scanlon as his partner
Louis, Clark Beasley Jr. as Mr. Lies and Belize, and Olivia as four different
characters as well as an off-stage voice. Bravos to all!
The venue is an intimate, comfortable theatre with the
audience seated on three sides facing a large performance space. The producers
are to be commended for their courage in bringing a very difficult production
to local audiences. This is a rare opportunity to see one of the most
challenging works of the past two decades in a magnificent production. The cast
and presentation deserve full houses at every performance. Attendees will be
richly rewarded.