"...the most powerful screen adaptation of a major American play since ... 'Streetcar Named Desire'..." — Page 2

Hear, hear, Dolly.

Play, author and director very much overrated.

Polemics with no poety nor passion.

Bulldog.

i have heard it said that Kushner is a "thinking person's playwright" and not necessarily a "feeling person's playwright" which may be a little too glib...but could explain some of the varied reactions. Some audience members like to feel empathy a lot and think or rationalize less, while others may find a depth of emotion if approached more intellectually. Neither way is "better" but not all playwrights approach their art in the way that an audience member might prefer. ANGELS has social and literary impact, but as dramaturgy may not be everyone's cup of tea. For those of us who love it, that tea is a thirstquencher. For others, it just might be the wrong blend.

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Good points, Robbie, particularly about Kushner's passion and our response to it. One reason I'm looking forward to the mini is to rexamine the material from my own shifting POV. In recent years, I've become far more invested in political pieces. It's partly getting older, partly a response to the world--which demands it. One play that left me cold in the theater 20 years ago -- David Hare's PLENTY -- is now one of my favorites (would've killed to see the London revival with Cate Blanchette).

The Rich piece whetted my appetite. Maybe when ANGELS first appeared, the shallow 80s were just over our shoulders -- the Dynasty clothes still in our closet, so to speak. As Rich states, the world has been split wide open. Life just feels more "polticial," especially with an insidious us vs. them polarizing regime in place now. In 2003, I will likely look at the whole piece as an even bigger cautionary tale. Responding viscerally to the play's big picture concerns may make my earlier quibbles about Joe Pitt's resolution nit-picking.

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Updated On: 11/20/03 at 08:30 PM

"No passion... no poetry"

Well. I like your avatar.

i personally use "avatar" when others use "icon" on this board...the little pic with the member name. i think "avatar" is more accurate as "icon" has many theatre-related meanings.

Saw the trailer for ANGELS when i went to the cinema yesterday to see PIECES OF APRIL (short movie and worth it for Patricia Clarkson and Sean Hayes). Amazing trailer, can't wait!

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