angels in america revival- Page 2

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/20/04 at 11:59pm

Do you think the cast would ever get back together for a benefit reading? (If they haven't already at one time)

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 12:08am

It's possible, I think. I haven't heard much from Ron Leibman since (I was never crazy about his Cohn, even though he got the Tony -- way too over-the-top; F. Murray Abraham was much better -- incidentally, Pacino in the film was the best I ever saw in the role). I heard that Mantello and Wright had their problems backstage (two VERY strong personalities -- Wright getting the Tony didn't help their relationship). Everybody else got along well as far as I know. I imagine if Kushner himself made a specific appeal to all of them for some one-night only benefit reading for a good charity or some big anniversary, I would imagine that they all would do it (Mantello is the only question mark in my mind since he's become Mr. Director in the last couple of years).

Updated On: 9/21/04 at 12:08 AM

[Matt_G]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 12:13am

I think, especially right now coming off the success of the film, it would be a wonderful time to attempt something like that. That is one event I would pay top dollar to see.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 12:26am

Well, perhaps some well-connected somebody will read our little exchange here and suggest the idea to one of the powers that be. If not a reading of the entire 7 hour piece, perhaps two+ hours of highlights or something (Chalfant and Spinella need to remind people of the fact that despite the film, they STILL own those roles).

[Barihunk]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:01am

Angels was the first thing I saw right after moving to NYC in 1994. That Saturday afternoon and evening was an experience I will never forget. Margo, I wasn't lucky enough to catch Marica Gay Harden, but felt lucky to catch a then unknown Cynthia Nixon as Harper (who I had also seen previously as an outstanding Honey in "Virginia Woolfe" in LA with Glenda Jackson and John Lithgow). In your repeat performances did you catch her? How did she stack up? I have fond memories of her performace. Also, I may have imagined this, but I remember seeing Harden and Spinella doing their Act 1 "dream scene" together on the Tony Awards and being completely captivated by her. Did that happen, or am I remembering that documentary you mentioned?

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:09am

I saw the English National Theatre production of both plays when it briefly travelled to my home city of Manchester for the city of culture celebrations.

I was really blown away by it and bought the text of both plays, they are still the plays that I have read the most.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:15am

Nixon is certainly a fine actress, but I've found that she has a tendency to let her voice become too strident when she's projecting it on stage. I thought her Harper was perhaps funnier and flightier than Harden's, but overall not as effective.

The dream sequence is definitely on the documentary -- I can't remember whether they did it on the Tonys that year or not (it wouldn't surprise me if they did). I'll have to check my tape of that year's Tonys when I get a chance.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:18am

I know people who saw the original National Theatre production and found it quite preferable to the Broadway version. Apparently it was much darker -- I'd have loved to have seen it.

[leeinlondon]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:24am

That was the production I saw.. they have not revivied it here since it was new either.

[ChiChi]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:25am

I don't know the name of the actress, but when I saw it on tour (It also saw the whole thing in one day) the actress who played Harper was brilliant. Very memorable for me to the point where I was quite disappointed with Parker in the movie.

[robbiej]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 11:39am

I enjoyed Nixon greatly after the fact.

It was a very risky performance in many ways because she was indeed strident...almost unlikable (which I gather was not Harden's performance). I couldn't make heads or tails of it till the 'night flight to San Francisco' speech. I don't think I can put it into words. Something just clicked for me. It all made sense on a deeper level. And it taught me a great lesson about acting. One can get to a place of understanding and empathy without ever once playing for an audience's sympathy. It's something I try to put into my own work, when appropriate.

Spinella was definitive. Absolutely astonshing. As was Wright. Mantello was wonderful, but equally enjoyed Dan Futterman as his replacement. F. Murray has been a touchstone for years, and he didn't disappoint.

[MargoChanning]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 1:18pm

I loved Futterman as Louis, too -- perhaps even more than Mantello.

By the way, Page 9 of the current Show People Magazine mentions a new opera based on "Angels in America" by Hungarian composer Peter Eotvos. It will have its world premiere at Paris' Theatre du Chatelet in November. I googled to get more info and apparently, Barbara Hendricks will play the Angel, Donald Maxwell will be Roy Cohn and Julia Migenes will be Ethel Rosenberg. SOunds interesting.

[BWayBoy88]

Posted: 9/21/04 at 5:30pm

Wow that sounds really interesting. Kind of like a mix between AIA and Caroline or Change.