Angels in America - 2nd part only?

[Addendum]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#1

Posted: 6/13/18 at 9:48pm

I have an opportunity to see the 2nd part of Angels in America this Sunday.  My question is, should I if I wont be able to see Part 1 first?  Do they stand alone well, or will I be lost?  

[Jarethan]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#2

Posted: 6/13/18 at 9:55pm

I am sure that others will disagree, but I found Part 1 to be significantly superior to Part 2.  IMO Act 2 can get pretty esoteric quite frequently.  Also, I feel that the play does build; and, as a result, you are likely to be confused for a good portion of it.  Again, I am sure this will be disagreed with, but I just can't imagine seeing Part 2 without having seen Part 1.

[hollebolle]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#3

Posted: 6/13/18 at 10:09pm

The couple next to me at Part 2 last week hadn't seen Part 1. They seemed...confused. I got the distinct impression that they didn't find it to be very powerful, although, not knowing anything about them, that could have been for many reasons. I think there's enough context to get you through Part 2, but you definitely miss out on a ton of background and character development from Part 1. 

Would you ever see Part 1? If your options are Part 2 or nothing, I recommend going and maybe reading Part 1 beforehand just so you have that knowledge. 

[gypsy101]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#4

Posted: 6/13/18 at 10:11pm

maybe watch the first part of the HBO miniseries first? episodes 1, 2 & 3 i believe would cover the content of Part 1

"Contentment, it seems, simply happens. It appears accompanied by no bravos and no tears."

[JBC3]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#5

Posted: 6/13/18 at 10:21pm

Lots of short video clip summaries available.

https://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=angels+in+america+part+1+summary

[kmissa]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#6

Posted: 6/13/18 at 10:42pm

Jarethan said: "I am sure that others will disagree, but I found Part 1 to be significantly superior to Part 2. IMO Act 2 can get pretty esoteric quite frequently. Also, I feel that the play does build; and, as a result, you are likely to be confused for a good portion of it. Again, I am sure this will be disagreed with, but I just can't imagine seeing Part 2 without having seen Part 1."

I agree. Part one is amazing, I don’t see the point in the second half without the build of the first. 

[ThirstyThersites]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#7

Posted: 6/14/18 at 2:05pm

Just see it. Read or watch part one - watch some clips so you get the aesthetics of this production and what the characters look and sound like and you'll be good. Not worth missing. 

[RJ14]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#8

Posted: 6/14/18 at 2:33pm

Watch part 1 first from the Nation Theatre production. I'm sure it's available somewhere online

[atuomala]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#9

Posted: 6/14/18 at 6:58pm

I would personally prioritize seeing Part I before Part II. Part II perfectly compliments Part I. If you can’t, read a synopsis of Part I on the internet so you have an idea of what’s going on in Part II.

"Mostly, I loved the size of these people's emotions. Nobody has emotions this size anymore. Outsized emotions. Operatic emotions. Kushemski and Vanda are like Tristan and Isolde, they're Paolo and Francesca. Nobody's in total thrall like this anymore. Nobody's overcome by passion like this, or goes through this kind of rage." Thomas, Venus in Fur

[Hest88]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#10

Posted: 6/14/18 at 7:06pm

I can't imagine seeing Part 2 without first seeing Part 1. They're not stand-alone stories.

[Soaring29]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#11

Posted: 6/15/18 at 1:12am

See both......  As a huge fan of the play, seeing just part 2 is simply not feasible to me lol. 

[BJR]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#13

Posted: 6/15/18 at 8:42am

See it.

I think you can actually get most plot points from Part 1 in Part 2, but why waste time trying to put things together. Yes, read up and watch a couple clips and then see it.

For what it's worth, as unpopular an opinion as it is, I vastly prefer Part 2. And this production does it better than any I've seen.

[JBC3]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#14

Posted: 6/15/18 at 6:23pm

Someone on All that Chat has posted that HBO SIGNATURE (channel 513 on Spectrum in NYC) is airing the Mike Nichols version on Sat (6/16). Updated On: 6/15/18 at 06:23 PM

[jbird5]

Angels in America - 2nd part only?#15

Posted: 6/15/18 at 7:42pm

I saw part 2 without seeing part 1 and was lost regarding Prior, Louis, etc. But it doesn’t really matter, the Roy Cohn plot takes over and most people should have at least a passing familiarity with his story. The rest of it devolves into glorious fantasy that was mostly absent from part 1 (I saw it later). Part 1 is mainly exposition for part 2 and you can get that by reading watching the movie, etc. You will miss some of Nathan’s best bits though.