Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, Part 2 : Perestroika (Angels in America) [Hardcover]

Tony Kushner (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: January 1, 1994

The second half of Kushner's Pulitzer Prize-winning epic steers the characters introduced in Millennium Approaches from the opportunistic 1980s to a new sense of community in the 1990s, as they struggle to overcome catastrophic loss. Scheduled to open on Broadway and at London's Royal National Theatre this fall.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

At the end of Millennium Approaches, the Pulitzer Prize-winning first part of Angels in America , an angel crashes in on AIDS sufferer Prior Walter and declares him a prophet, which is pretty expressionistic-surrealistic stuff, not to mention its cliff-hanger value. Perestroika follows on from that moment not only in its action but in its treatment; for rather than teetering between realism and fantasy like part 1, it's wholeheartedly expressionist. The drama is better for this firmer sense of theatrical style. The archness and pop-cultural knowingness of the gay characters' dialogue is more tolerable, and the play's grand point (which Kushner seemed not to be approaching in Millennium Approaches) is better made in a fantastic context because it is an abstract argument about fate and human values. The gist of it is that God has vanished (but not died), leaving humanity as the only other creative force around, and we just want more life and love, by golly. Kinda thin gruel, but preceded by so many theatrical pyrotechnics that second helpings of many of the awards Millennium Approaches got are entirely to be expected. Ray Olson

About the Author

Tony Kushner's plays include A Bright Room Called Day and Slavs!; as well as adaptations of Corneille's The Illusion, Ansky's The Dybbuk, Brecht's The Good Person of Szecguan and Goethe's Stella. Current projects include: Henry Box Brown or The Mirror of Slavery; and two musical plays: St. Cecilia or The Power of Music and Caroline or Change. His collaboration with Maurice Sendak on an American version of the children's opera, Brundibar, appeared in book form Fall 2003. Kushner grew up in Lake Charles, Louisiana, and he lives in New York.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 128 pages
• Publisher: Theatre Communications Group (January 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1559360720
• ISBN-13: 978-1559360722
• Product Dimensions: 8.8 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.1 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,997,619 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4.0 out of 5 stars A Healthy Piece of Dramatic Literature, February 24, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, Part 2 : Perestroika (Angels in America) (Hardcover)

Of course, seeing this production live would have allowed me to obtain a much broader perspective and also would have given me the ability to get a better grasp of my inner feelings. Yet, by the time I had finished both parts, I still came out with wonderous awe and amazement. That truly defines how incredible this play really is, and the impact it has on certain individuals' lives. The characters all became a part of me in some way or other, and I felt as if each and everyone of them were sitting right beside me.

Tony Kushner's 'Angels in America' is a brilliant epic dealing with the incredible, yet extremely controversial topics of politics, homosexuality, religion, and AIDS all wrapped up into one masterpiece. All of these topics cause wonderous commotion and arguments among the people in our society today. So, when I had learned previously that this book was going to squeeze all of these ideas together, I became both surprized and worried. After finishing the play though, I was overwhelmed at how an author could handle such an array of topics as these with so many controversies, and mesh them together in one work.

The single most important theme that I found installed throughout the enitre play, which clearly stands for every individual in America today, is that the only way anyone can deal with thier pain and suffering is not by hiding and avoiding the problem, but rather to admit their troubles openly. Kushner allows his readers the ability to meet several characters throughout the duration of the play, and does an incredible job of relating all of them together in a way so they can form a connection and grow to learn more about themselves and each other. Prior and Louis, Joe and Harper, and Roy and Belize all had difficulties in one way or another. The way in which they came to the realization about themselves and each other is by the way they communicate with one another. In the end, this play has taught me alot about myself as a whole, and has enabled me to realize that I should open up instead of holding my problems back. I will definitely read this play many more times, because it will help me in my journey of becoming a better human being.

5.0 out of 5 stars "Angels in America" is the most enlightened play available!, January 26, 1997

By A Customer

This review is from: Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, Part 2 : Perestroika (Angels in America) (Hardcover)

"Angels in America," Parts one and two, continually amazes me each time I read or see it. Never have I had characters become more alive and stay with me months after reading or seeing a play