Angels In America Soars To Greater Heights

The first time I ever saw Angels In America was on HBO’s mini series directed by the late Mike Nicholsin 2003 that starred Al Pacino, Meryl Streep, Emma Thompson, Mary-Louise Parker, Jeffrey Wright, Patrick Wilson, Justin Kirk and Ben Shenkman. I was blown away by the whole show and the acting was simply superb that is why it won all the major awards at the Golden Globes and Emmys.

Pinky Amador, Topper Fabregas, Nelsito Gomez in Angels In America
Photo courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group

Yes I know that Tony Kushner’s Angels In America is a Tony Award-winning play that premiered on Broadway 25 years ago, but I must admit I never got to see it live until this year when Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group staged it at the Carlos P. Romulo Auditorium in RCBC.

I am so glad I got to watch ANGELS IN AMERICA: MILLENNIUM APPROACHES at this stage in my life where the topic of AIDS is no longer taboo and we face it with a more positive and hopeful outlook. For those who don’t know what the story is about, it is the first part of Tony Kushner’s masterpiece set in 1980s New York City, that focuses on the lives of two couples: Prior Walter (brilliantly played by Topper Fabregas) who was abandoned by his lover, Louis (Nelsito Gomez), as he contracts the AIDS virus, while a closeted gay lawyer named Joe Pitt (played by Markii Stroem, a revelation in his first straight play) struggles in his marriage to his pill-popping wife, Harper (Angeli Bayani).

I witnessed one of Bobby Garcia’s best works to date. His direction and vision for this production was executed with sheer excellence anchored by the courageous performance of his cast that poured their heart and soul on stage.

Markii Stroem, Art Acuna, Angeli Bayani in Angels In America
Photo courtesy of Atlantis Theatrical Entertainment Group

Together with the actors I mentioned above, I was also blown away by the performances of Art Acuńa as Roy Cohn, Pinky Amador as the Angel, Cherie Gil as Hannah Pitt, Andoy Ranay as Belize. I still can’t get over the set design of Faust Peneyra it was a visual masterpiece. Thanks to the amazing work of the actors, technical and creative team my almost 3 1/2 hours stay in the theater was an enriching experience. I can’t wait for ANGELS IN AMERICA: PERESTROIKA. Please stage it on your 21^stseason!