The Inheritance - Previews — Page 5

@BWAYbaby2, the text is on amazon for around $15 so if you want to read the play beforehand, it is available. I read the script before watching the play in London and appreciated it more.

JBC3 said: "And FWIW while the recent National Theatre production of Angels was indeed the first Broadway revival as a poster mentioned a bit ago, people might have seen the very successful Signature production a few years ago or the HBO special. Angels is pretty accessible if someone wants to see it."

My point was that delegitimizing someone's positive experience with The Inheritance simply because they don't have the context to compare to Angels (which a poster alluded to in a previous post) is a weak argument.

I guess it's less about their experience and more about the inferred claims of the quality/value of the show. Obviously the ideas and execution might seem more substantial and impressive if they haven't experienced the myriad of other media that has done similar things in the past (that said, I recognise that many here would likely have indeed seen Angels in America, and The Normal Heart, and Looking, and Queer as Folk, and the Boys in the Band, and all the other gay literature and still think The Inheritance stands as a completely unique piece of work. Which if they do, I still would agree with them to some extent - I just wish I was having the time of my life when I was merely just moved. Usually being 'moved' is enough but people talk about this play as if it's the best thing ever written in gay literature).

And all I was doing was sharing information about Angels having been off-Broadway and on TV.

Saw this in London and thought it was incredible in every way. Based on some of the comments, I wonder if it has been made too broad, i.e. New York-ized for local tastes? I loved the British Queer as Folk, hated the American one. (I'm a New Yorker, btw.)

I found The Inheritance to be superior to Angels in America, which I liked but felt too full of Kushner's stereotypes.

Dolly80 said: "Totally agree. The Inheritance is far superior to Angels. And especially the recent ugly Broadway revival."

Would you please explain your reasons why you feel The Inheritance is superior to Angels in America?

Having seen it, I think you will struggle with part two if you don't see part one first.

I was intrigued by the advance buzz and all the awards in London. I got my ticket as soon as they went on sale. After reading some of the negative comments in this thread, I began to think that my expectations might be too high. Last night during the first half hour, I wasn't that impressed. However, as the show went on, it won me over. I'm part of the baby boomer generation. I have seen all of the major gay plays and read most of the gay books of the past decades. As someone else said, we know these people. Having lived in Provincetown for 18 years, yes, I do know these people. I lived almost word for word the end of Act 1 many times with younger guys in Ptown.
To me, Angels is about gay life as a whole whereas The Inheritance is about a group of friends. I'm amazed that Matthew Lopez at his young age has such insight. I feel that this is an important play and should be seen. I do hope that younger gay people will go. They need to understand the how we arrived at where we are today.
With regards to how this mirrors Howards End, I read the book again last week. At least in Part 1, it does follow the basic outline but not character by character. I found it fascinating how Lopez expanded the story to make it relevant today.
Everyone is not going to identify with this play nor like it. But is there any play that appeals to everyone? The comparison to Angels is inevitable. I admire both and look forward to seeing Part 2 on my next trip here. I predict that this will win the Tony. Today I'm off to Hadestown and The Sound Inside.

I am a boomer gay guy, white, professional, and have had several long term relationships over the years. Truth be told, I do like guys younger than me- usually 10-12 years younger- and my present partner of 23 years is 12 years younger. I grew up in NY, lived in San Francisco, and various other cities. I assume this play is one that I will totally relate to and that I am the target audience for it. That is fine by me if that is indeed true.

Has this writer ever seen gay plays, TV and movies over the past 40 years?

Slight and sooo retreaded.

And that ending!!! Ripoff, anyone?

Updated On: 10/6/19 at 01:06 AM

Skip23 said: "And that ending!!! Ripoff, anyone?"

I think you mean middle. The ending doesn't start showing until Friday...

Skip23 said: "No. I meant ending.

Prob wont be seeing the second half."

Say more about the ending of Part One being a ripoff. You can hide spoilers, or just send me a PM.

"I saw it in London and still did not drink the Kool-Aid. Well, not all of it at least."

I drank every drop. Saw it at the Young Vic, which I think was an ideal venue for the play.

Updated On: 10/6/19 at 10:35 PM