ANGELS IN AMERICA (2018) Previews — Page 10

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#226

ANGELS IN AMERICA (2018) Previews

Posted: 3/9/18 at 4:37pm

I was in the orchestra, row P seat 1 and it was a perfect seat - a nice amount of leg room and no one in front of me. If you can get an aisle seat anywhere in orchestra I'd recommend that, I don't think the mezzanine overhang obstructs the stage at all. A friend of mine did rush and had seat J21 on the end of the aisle and although it was marked "partial view" he said he didn't miss very much at all.

#227

Intermissions

Posted: 3/9/18 at 4:44pm

Do know roughly what times the intermissions hit for both segments? We are going in May and I am interested in knowing what time the intervals are. I know they may be a bit different by then, but it would help to know what time they are coming in right now.

"Life is a lesson in humility"

#228

Intermissions

Posted: 3/9/18 at 8:53pm

Apparently Beth just went on mid-show during Perestroika (during diorama scene) -- anyone know what's going on?

#229

Intermissions

Posted: 3/9/18 at 8:55pm

ljh52 said: "Apparently Beth just went on mid-show during Perestroika (during diorama scene) -- anyone know what's going on?"

Wasn’t mid show. There was a slip on the playbill before the show began.

They did have to stop the show for about 10 minutes earlier.

#230

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 5:17pm

Antoni Porowski and James Franco attending together today for those who care about such things. BD Wong was also there, as were Kushner and his husband Mark Harris.

Updated On: 3/10/18 at 05:17 PM

#231

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 5:38pm

I'm aware that this is a super annoying, subjective question, but I'm compelled to ask it anyway. Feel free to ignore!

I have last row mezz tickets for this, and I'm on the edge of upgrading. For context, Angels in America is maybe my favorite work of art in any form, ever made, and this will be my first time seeing it. I'm also a student right now and am not flush with money. Sooooo, are the last row mezz tickets so terrible that it will drastically alter the experience? It would be about $500 additional to upgrade to first row mezz or orch seats, and I'm seriously considering doing so. Can anyone here weigh in on whether or not this is advisable, all things considered?

Again, apologies for the sort of rambly, subjective question. I'm just very excited about seeing this show and I want to make sure it's an awesome experience.

#232

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 5:45pm

#233

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 6:14pm

CoercedBull said: "I'm aware that this is a super annoying, subjective question, but I'm compelled to ask it anyway. Feel free to ignore!

I have last row mezz tickets for this, and I'm on the edge of upgrading. For context, Angels in America is maybe my favorite work of art in any form, ever made, and this will be my first time seeing it. I'm also a student right now and am not flush with money. Sooooo, are the last row mezz tickets so terrible that it will drastically alter the experience? It would be about $500additional to upgrade to first row mezz or orch seats, and I'm seriously considering doing so. Can anyone here weigh in on whether or not this is advisable, all things considered?

Again, apologies for the sort of rambly, subjective question. I'm just very excited about seeing this show and I want to make sure it's an awesome experience."

I posted this a few pages back, but I was in the second to last row and I 100% do not regret it. It's a great price for a great show. While I obviously can't compare it to sitting closer, I felt like I was a part of the story and was very moved. It was a little quiet, but the words were clear if I paid attention (which one wants to do for this show anyway). If you have access to binoculars, you could bring them if you want to see faces more closely. I won't lie and say that I could see every facial movement, but I could see general expressions/emotions well.

I would gladly sit in the back again if it was the difference between being able to afford to go and not. But you are the only one who knows your budget and how you feel about the show to make the final decision. Either way, enjoy the show!

#234

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 6:54pm

Well I hate to be the voice of dissent but I went to the double-header today but walked out after part one. I was absolutely shocked by how bad Lee Pace and James McArdle were and the overall bad acting IMO made the thought of seeing the 4.5 hour act two unbearable.

http://poisonivywalloftext.blogspot.com/2018/03/why-i-walked-out-of-angels-in-america.html

#235

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 7:04pm

^If you walk out of a show, your opinion on said show means nothing. You didn't even see the whole show, so how can you provide a valid review of the production if you only saw half of it?

#236

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 7:06pm

I saw enough to know that Lee Pace and James McArdle would not be any better in the second half. And I spent 3.5 hours watching the show. It's not like I left afterthe first intermission.

#237

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 7:08pm

GeorgeandDot said: "^If you walk out of a show, your opinion on said show means nothing. You didn't even see the whole show, so how can you provide a valid review of the production if you only saw half of it?"

While I agree with you in most cases, I don’t think that logic really applies here. PoisonIvy simply didn’t return for part 2, they didn’t leave at intermission. Don’t forget the two parts of this play premiered a year (or so) apart. Are you saying all the people who saw Part 1 in that first year had no right to an opinion on the show?

#238

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 9:26pm

poisonivy2 said: "Well I hate to be the voice of dissent but I went to the double-header today but walked out after part one. I was absolutely shocked by how bad Lee Pace and James McArdle were and the overall bad acting IMO made the thought of seeing the 4.5 hour act two unbearable.

http://poisonivywalloftext.blogspot.com/2018/03/why-i-walked-out-of-angels-in-america.html"

Poisonivy2, That's a shame, since you were looking forward to seeing this. I purposely avoided seeing both parts in one day. I thought it would be too much . I booked a Thursday night then Friday night.. I will be one of those sitting second to last row mezzanine. I have purchased 6 of my shows for my May trip and all are nose bleed and still cost over $500. I am hoping for a general rush for Summer The Musical and a highly discounted ticket for the evening performance of Once On This Island. If not, I will find a drag show and/or strippers for Sunday night and drink.

#239

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 10:13pm

Looking back maybe seeing both parts in one day was too much. I had thought it would be like a Wagner opera, where the focus is tight and builds to a very cathartic ending. I think maybe I was surprised at how sprawling it was. I am trying to call TM to arrange for a post-dated show for part 2. I have also seen the show pop up on TDF.

I forgot to add: I felt sick this morning with a sore-throat/headache/cold and was feeling pretty ill throughout Millennium. By the end of the 3.5 hours I felt dizzy and not well. I went to the B.O. and asked if I could exchange Perestroika for a different date and was rather rudely told no. So overall it wasn't a pleasant experience and the thought of doing 4.5 hours in the evening was too much.

I do wonder if Pace will improve throughout the run. His reading was so stiff and awkward I wonder if he's still sort of learning the role.

#240

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 10:59pm

I only saw Part 1 today (last minute ticket from a friend).

I thought the cast was overall very good. I was impressed with Lee Pace. (I first saw him off-Broadway in The Credeaux Canvas many years ago.) I did think James McArdle struggled a bit. Denise Gough’s Harper was largely lifeless for the first 2 hours. Andrew Garfield was very good. It’s hard to step into Stephen Spinella’s shoes, but he had a clear and consistent take on Prior — your could always sense the WASP in his fabulousness. Nathan Lane was excellent.

The scene (I think in Act 2) where Harper/Joe and Louis/Prior fight simultaneously while both sets are lit came off badly, and I think it’s due to the directing rather than the writing. There probably should be more overlaps rather than freezing in place while the other side of the stage fights. It’s written like an opera quartet, where you at least have the orchestra for continuity. But there’s no orchestra, and people don’t freeze while lit. It was rather painful to watch: not because you felt for the characters, but because you felt for the actors.

I suspect they’ll fine tune things before opening.

#241

Intermissions

Posted: 3/10/18 at 11:37pm

CoercedBull said: "I'm aware that this is a super annoying, subjective question, but I'm compelled to ask it anyway. Feel free to ignore!

I have last row mezz tickets for this, and I'm on the edge of upgrading. For context, Angels in America is maybe my favorite work of art in any form, ever made, and this will be my first time seeing it. I'm also a student right now and am not flush with money. Sooooo, are the last row mezz tickets so terrible that it will drastically alter the experience? It would be about $500additional to upgrade to first row mezz or orch seats, and I'm seriously considering doing so. Can anyone here weigh in on whether or not this is advisable, all things considered?

Again, apologies for the sort of rambly, subjective question. I'm just very excited about seeing this show and I want to make sure it's an awesome experience."

If you'd like to be closer, I'd definitely consider the TKTS booth. I got a ticket from the Times Square booth ten minutes before last Saturday's Part 2 performance and ended up in a fifth row center orchestra seat, for I think just under $100. So you could do that and see both parts for $200, which is a pretty great deal.

#242

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 12:30am

If anyone could take a photo of the merch booth, or post any photos of the merch they bought, I would really appreciate it. Hope you are all enjoying this show, I am not seeing it until June!

#243

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 10:04am

I did the doubleheader yesterday and thoroughly enjoyed it. The only other production (outside of the miniseries) was the Signature production back in 2010, and it was amazing to see how different the two were.

Lane was superb, Garfield was incredible. The rest of the cast was pretty strong (although not sure what was happening with Susan Brown’s accent while playing Mother Pitt in Millenium Approaches, but it stabilizes in Perestroika). Lee Pace was the weakest link (he had some line trouble throughout), but I suspect with time he’ll get more comfortable in the role. Everyone else was so solid and complete in their characters and Pace just seemed lost in comparison.

The doubleheader is a loooooong day, but there was definitely a feeling of comradery making it to the end.

As for seats, we were T Center in the mezz, and they were fine if a bit far. I had binoculars, which helped see facial expressions, but I’d recommend getting closer seats if possible.

#244

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 10:28am

I also did the double header yesterday. It was a long day, but I really loved this production. Andrew Garfield and Nathan Lane were both phenomenal. I was sat Row E front mezz seat 113. It was dead center and a perfect view.

#245

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 11:13am

While I think he will grow into the part a bit more, I liked Lee Pace, but then I like 6’5" guys who really could be the Marlboro Man.

Overall the production is as good as it was when I saw it in London and the book of Perestroika remains a bit of a mess compared to the perfection of Part One. Loved seeing Beth Malone.

#246

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 12:41pm

I also did the marathon yesterday (I believe the first marathon day of the Broadway run?) and what an amazing way to spend a day. The hours flew by and I was constantly enraptured by Kushner’s text. Each scene is so essential, so full of insight, humor, and soaring language, so full of quotable lines and memorable moments, so full of impeccable use of rhetoric.

This production has two stars: Kushner’s text and Nathan Lane. Lane is giving a career-best performance, bringing an authenticity to the world that is sometimes missing in his cast mates and a full understanding of the character and play. His Roy Cohn embodies the contradictions of the man and the immortal summation of him as a bully, coward, and victim. You will hate Roy Cohn but feel for him.

The rest of the cast gives strong performance but largely feels like the text is doing the work. Garfield is very affected, and its effectiveness varies greatly. His Prior lives in a breathy, upper register of his voice, which is a choice that leaves him little place to go in terms of vocality. In much of Perestroika especially, he seems more histrionic rather than the wrath of God.

Which is a similar issue I have with Nathan Stewart-Jarrett’s Belize, who I think is my weak link in the cast. I am loathe to compare him to Jeffrey Wright, but Wright was so perfectly high-status; he never needed to shout down Louis or Roy, he was constantly so certain in his strength and regality and his shade cut like a cold knife. Stewart-Jarrett just doesn’t have that and does resort to getting into a shouting match, which undercuts Belize’s strength.

Beth Malone’s Angel was such a nice surprise- far different than I expected. Her Angel isn’t biblical imperiousness and power, but a sort of... rocker chick who is very assured of her badassery.

Marienne Elliott’s production itself is a stunner. The triple revolving set pieces of the first part look cobbled from various 80s design trends, but then their eventual removal is a brilliant way to support Perestroika’s sprawl, as each scene is framed in light and neon. Her layering of scenes in the second part is especially brilliant, and heaven and Prior’s return is remarkable.

"...everyone finally shut up, and the audience could enjoy the beginning of the Anatevka Pogram in peace."

#247

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 6:21pm

I was at both shows yesterday too! Going into it I had seen the London NTL production of both shows twice just in the past few months so everything was very fresh for me. All of the original cast from the west end run give spectacular performances. I was really interested in seeing James McArdle. I wasn't a huge fan of his Louis after seeing the London performance so I was hoping he would change my mind... a boy did he! When I first saw his performance I honest to god thought he didn't know his lines. The stuttering and trailing off made him seem all over the place. But after watching him I finally understood he is just really great at having that stream of conscious thought process and that is what makes his Louis so believable. I have a new respect for him because in no way is that approach easy and he did a fantastic job. Now.. on to Lee Pace. His first scene with Roy was very cringe worthy to me. Mainly because there was no reaction from him. Roy is cursing up a storm and he just seems fine with it until all of sudden he's saying "Don't say the Lord's name in vain" However there was nothing that he was giving us before (physically) that alluded to him being bothered by Roy's words. Another part when Roy hands Joe the letter... No joke Lee grabbed the letter and said "This isn't good" But there was no time in-between for him to actually read the letter and react to what he was reading to initiate his line. Simple things like that, not reacting to what he was being given, is what really let me down. He did have some good moments, but he does need to sink his teeth in a little more. I couldn't help but compare him to Russell Tovey. Russell's approach of Joe was very intense and even sometimes manic. You could physically and emotionally see his internal struggle. Whereas Lee's was very subtle until the next moment he's screaming about something. Beth Malone's did a great job but I think the weakest of all her character was the angel. It wasn't bad, but it wasn't as strong as I was hoping it would be. Nathan and Andrew of course give great performances but we all knew that so I'm not going to harp on it. Overall a great show with strong performances

#248

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 6:21pm

Kad said: "Garfield is very affected, and its effectiveness varies greatly. His Prior lives in a breathy, upper register of his voice, which is a choice that leaves him little place to go in terms of vocality. In much of Perestroika especially, he seems more histrionic rather than the wrath of God.

"

I, too, found the limited vocal range to be a disappointment in what otherwise was a strong performance.

#249

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 6:50pm

Well I think I know why I reacted so poorly to yesterday's show. I woke up this morning sick with a fever. I called TM and will try to give Perestroika a chance as I explained what happened. I do still have problems with Lee Pace, James McArdle, and Denise Gough's acting choices and am not sure they will go away.

#250

Intermissions

Posted: 3/11/18 at 7:00pm

Thanks to everyone who replied to my cloying little request. Not only did I take everyone's advice and upgrade, I splurged and upgraded to straight up front row seats. Since it's my very first time seeing this show I love so much, I wanted to be completely immersed and I AM SO EXCITED.

It was a hit to my bank account, sure, but I'll eat lean for the rest of the month and it'll be totally worth it. I can't wait to see this show. Keep posting your thoughts, everyone, I'm loving reading them.

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