NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America- Page 2
NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
#25re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/1/09 at 7:44pmI think if it had been humanly possible, I would have exploded with happiness when I read this on the NY Times site this afternoon. Oh my God. Such a dream come true.
#26re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/1/09 at 8:57pmAn immediate add to the "MUST SEE" list - it will be difficult to match the level of the original NY production, but here's hoping!
#27re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:30am
I was so ecstatic when I heard the news I literally plotzed. I can't believe it's been 15 years since it was on Broadway, and having it done now in an intimate venue seems perfect for the plays.
I would love it if they got "big names" to play the roles, and trite as it may be, it might be interesting to see Mary-Louise Parker reprise her role from the mini-series on stage! I can't wait until 2010!
heo1128
Broadway Star Joined: 7/9/08
#28re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:40amI think Laura Benanti is too...pretty. I feel like Harper should be somewhat dowdy. Not that Mary Louise Parker and Marcia Gay Harden aren't gorgeous, but they can downplay their looks. And for sure Lumen, I'd LOVE to see Mary Louise Parker come back to the role!
#29re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 1:33am
I'd love to see Marin Ireland as Harper and Dianne Wiest as Hannah.
Raul Esparza would be a phenomenal Prior.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
#30re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 2:16am
I thought about Marin ireland as Harper as well, though I still would prefer Cherry Jones as Hannah Pitt.
I also agree that Raul Esparza is a good fit for Prior Walter.
#31re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 7:31amIf that were to happen, I might render it humanly possible to explode.
#32re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 8:42amWonderful! Is there any chance that this might be transfered to Broadway officially?
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#33re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 8:57amNo.
husk_charmer
Broadway Legend Joined: 10/19/06
#34re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 9:07am
I don't think Raúl would work at ALL as Prior. I've never seen the man be warm and likeable, which Prior definitely is.
Personally, I say star-stud the rest of the cast, and bring in a total unknown for Prior.
#35re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 9:17am
I had originally thought of Laura Benanti for Harper, but I do also like the idea of Marin Ireland.
I agree with husk_charmer, that an unknown (or lesser-known) actor should play Prior.
broadwaybelter
Broadway Legend Joined: 11/26/04
#36re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 9:51amHow Fantastic. I should probably be in New York around that time. I second that suggestion for Cherry Jones as Hannah. That'd be pure joy.
Roscoe
Broadway Legend Joined: 5/15/03
#37re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 10:01am
"I don't think Raúl would work at ALL as Prior. I've never seen the man be warm and likeable, which Prior definitely is."
He wasn't when I saw Stephen Spinella play the role.
#38re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 10:09amRaul as Prior=all wrong.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#39re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 10:42am
Signature really doesn't tend to go the route of star-casting, since the viewpoint of that theatre is that the playwright is the star. When they do cast a star or a name, it's people like Lois Smith in The Trip to Bountiful, Mercedes Ruehl in Edward Albee's Occupant or Leslie Uggams in The First Breeze of Summer. In other words, not stars of major proportions, but appropriate stars when necessary.
Also, with the $20 ticket initiative, Signature shows generally sell out in advance, so the production of Angels doesn't need a star-studded cast to sell itself. Better to have wildly talented unknowns and let the text work with the audience not bringing in any preconceived notions as to what a certain big-name actor might bring to a certain role.
One of the pleasures of the original Broadway production was that most of that cast was not wildly familiar to Broadway audiences. It was like discovering the actors and this play and playwright all at the same time, all of which helped contribute to the initial impact of that show.
Most of us are familiar with Angels now, either through that production, regional productions, the published script or the HBO version. But it would be great to fall in love with Angels all over again while watching eight, possibly unfamiliar stage actors getting the opportunity of a lifetime.
#40re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 10:46am
Dianne Wiest as Hannah.
BRILLIANT IDEA!
"I don't think Raúl would work at ALL as Prior. I've never seen the man be warm and likeable, which Prior definitely is."
He wasn't when I saw Stephen Spinella play the role.
And win two Tonys for it, no less.
-Kad
"I have also met him in person, and I find him to be quite funny actually. Arrogant and often misinformed, but still funny."
-bjh2114 (on Michael Riedel)
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#41re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 10:55amDon't bother trying to argue with Roscoe. He's the Eeyore of New York theatre.
#42re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 11:53amCherry Jones would inevitably be terrific as Hannah, but I'd actually much rather see her partner Sarah Paulson in the show as Harper.
Tony Kushner: You can sing it at my funeral.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#43re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:00pmTho I think they are still pals, Cherry and Sarah are not together.
Borstalboy
Broadway Legend Joined: 2/9/04
#44re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:06pmI have heard rumors that his PRINCESS BRIDE-ish adaptation of THE ILLUSION is also going to be on the bill.
#45re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:13pmLove the idea of Dianne Wiest as Hannah. Elizabeth Marvel for Harper, please.
WiCkEDrOcKS
Broadway Legend Joined: 6/13/04
#46re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 12:48pm
He's the Eeyore of New York theatre.
HAHA!
Very excited for this though!
#47re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 1:02pm
Smaxie, while we may not get any recognizable names for the production (and that's fine), it is incredibly fun to imagine this people playing the roles.
I'm not sure I'd like to see Sarah Paulson as Harper, especially since I've never seen her on stage and I can't remember any of her TV performances that I particularly enjoyed. The idea of someone like Marin Ireland (whom I haven't seen on stage either, but everyone has told me so many good things about her) is much appealing.
Smaxie
Broadway Legend Joined: 9/26/05
#48re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 1:18pm
It's just that these dream casting threads invariably lead to a hypothetical cast straight out of Night of 1000 Stars. And that inevitably leads to disappointment when the real cast gets announced.
Still, I wouldn't want to dampen any excitement for the production, so cast away!
#49re: NY's Signature Theatre to revive Angels in America
Posted: 9/2/09 at 1:22pm
Esparza is more Joe than Prior.
Updated On: 9/2/09 at 01:22 PM
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