Story & Photos By: Janel Spiegel

 

Without a doubt the Civic Theater masterfully presented “ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes”. Our contributor Janel Spiegel was on hand for the final two performances. She was very moved by how wonderfully the Civic Theater’s talented and crew brought this show to life. So without further ado here is her review of part 1 & 2 of this past weekend’s performances…

 

The Civic Theatre of Allentown Presents: ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes-Part 1 Millennium Approaches, May 18, 2017

“Eight actors play twenty-seven characters” in “Angels in America.”

ANGELS IN AMERICA: A GAY FANTASIA ON NATIONAL THEMES
May 5-20, 2017
Written by Tony Kushner
Directed by William Sanders
Production Stage Manager Peter Jodik
Lighting Designer Will Morris
Scenic Artist Jan Joyce
Costume Designer Margaret Wiseheart Anderson
Assistant Lighting Designer Alex Michaels
Hair and Wigs Kim Danish
Wardrobe Specialist Dee Rhoads
Set Designer Marilyn Loose
Prop Master Jason Sizemore
Assistant Stage Mangers Carmen Chen, Gareth Messman and Zoli Heft
MEET THE CAST
Will Morris – Prior Walter
Troy Brokenshire – Louis Ironson
Jason Roth – Joe Pitt
Gretchen K. Furst – Harper Pitt

“God won’t talk to me, I have to make up people to talk to me.” Harper Pitt

May 18th, it was a warm evening as The Allentown Civic Theatre welcomed theatregoers to see a beautiful performance of Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize for Drama winning play. “Angels in America” also became a mini-series on HBO in which it starred Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright and Justin Kirk. The play takes place in “New York City, Salt Lake City and Elsewhere, 1985-1986.” In 1985, America and the world struggled with so many different problems and things that were happening that people just did not understand. No one knew what was going to come to fruition. It was all new and scary.
 
In the play we meet a variety of beautiful, damaged, broken and yet hopeful characters. They all see life different and it shows humanity at its best and at its worst.
We also learn that the truth is sometimes difficult but it is the most valued lesson. We meet Harper Pitt played by Gretchen K. Furst and she is struggling with a valium addiction and a distant husband with a secret. Harper is witty and a “hot mess.” She also has to deal with secrets which is the theme in a way. All of these broken or damaged characters may not be as broken as you think.
 
We also meet Harper’s secret keeping husband Joe Pitt played by Jason Roth who seems like such a lost soul and he is just searching for love, truth and a certain forgiveness. Joe is a talent and force to be reckoned with.
 
We meet the incredibly talented Will Morris who plays Prior Walter. Will portrays Prior with such a beautiful pizazz. He brings a man to life despite the circumstances he is going through. Will also changes his demeanor and truly gives Prior his moment.
 
We meet Troy Brokenshire who plays Louis Ironson, who has a sort of lost puppy dog way about him. In the most adorable way. You feel for these characters. You feel the humanity they are bringing out. We also meet Roy Cohn played by the brilliant, vivacious Barry Glassman. Roy Cohn is sort of the guy you want to love, hate and hang out with all at the same time. He is smart, witty and sharp as a whip.
 
The audience gave Glassman and Will Morris a lot of laughs as he didn’t miss a beat with the humor among some of the saddening scenes. The first thing that stands out with “Angels in America” is the cast.
 
We meet Adam Newborn who plays Belize and he is just so full of life. He is like a living, breathing cartoon character and he is vibrant and colorful as a soul. He just a positive essence that is hard to ignore.
 
This brilliant group of actors portraying various tormented, happy, bewildered characters that make chaos seem beautiful. In a world today where bullying is so out there and people can be judgmental, this play was before its time. People treating others with disrespect and not knowing the story behind the struggle. As the saying goes, everyone is fighting a battle, be kind. Even if it is just a smile, you can make a difference. That is what I believe “Angels in America” taught so eloquently.
 
This play was amazing. It had everything and the actors made it special. They poured everything including their souls into the performances. This cast gave performances that will be etched in our memories for a lifetime.
 
The Allentown Civic Theatre is such a positive affirmation in Allentown, PA. It brings something extra special to the Lehigh Valley. If you get a chance to visit, please do.

 

The Civic Theatre of Allentown Presents: ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes-Part 2: Perestroika – May 19, 2017

The Civic Theatre of Allentown performed both part one and part two of “Angels in America.” The cast gave all they had in performing such a legendary play that even had an HBO miniseries starring Al Pacino. Tony Kushner’s Pulitzer Prize for Drama also won a Tony Award for Best Play.
 
Part two we see the cast in a suffering and some “taking pleasure in the misery” of the characters and their endless suffering. In “Perestroika,” we see the acts “Spooj,” “The Anti-Migratory Epistle,” and more. One of the most powerful is watching the sadness on the faces of Roy Cohn played by the elegant Barry Glassman.
 
We meet Joanna Wilchek Basist who portrays The Angel. This was a small cast portraying various characters. When you think of the incredible feat they accomplished it is amazing. Also Susan Sneeringer who portrayed Hannah Pitt was so good. Her masked anger for her son was so beautifully played.
 
This cast did such an amazing job. They created something that we will remember forever.
 
Be sure to check out the links below to follow and learn more about all of the fantastic things happening at the Civic Theater of Allentown, also please consider contributing to the reconstruction of The Allentown Civic Theatre.

http://www.civictheatre.com/
https://www.instagram.com/civictheatre/
https://twitter.com/CivicAllentown
https://www.facebook.com/CivicTheatreofAllentown/
 

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Interviews By:  Janel Spiegel