I very much like the idea of a small cast playing a wide variety of roles. This greatly challenges and benefits the actors. The amount of learning from a project like this would forever shape their acting skills.
It also gives the audience a chance to be thrown into a great interesting experience as play goers. Kushner had a very specific vision in mind when he suggested doubling, and that’s what I would want to share with my audience.
Angel:
In my head there is no way you wouldn’t fly the angel. With a show with the language and themes that this one has, the bigger the better for me. I want the angel to be as real to the audience as possible, and for me to achieve that I’d have to fly her.
Nudity:
If I were directing this show, it would not be necessary for Prior to be completely naked. I feel that we can still portray the extremity of his disease without going all the way. I don’t think an audience member would be taken out of the play or get any less of the experience. In fact, I think many people would refuse to come if there was nudity, and many would be distracted and uncomfortable throughout the show.
Disagree: When I suggested dropping the nudity, we discussed the context of the medical examination in which it occurred and concluded that the rest of the play romanticized AIDS too much. Without a visual encounter with the humility of real physical exposure and ravaging disease, the audience would not "get" the truth.
Language:
I wouldn’t alter any of the language. Because if I started cutting, then I don’t know how I could stop. While I feel that stage directions are more of suggestions from a playwright and can be flexible, the dialogue is set in stone. I don’t think you get the affect of Angels in America without the rawness of the language.
Disagree:
Intermissions: I would probably find a way to only do one intermission. I think having two will be tiring to the audience and make it seem extremely long.
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