The Theatre Program at Grand Valley State University is tackling such weighty issues as youthful relationships, AIDS, politics and homosexuality with its new production, Angels in America, Part I: Millennium Approaches. The show, which presents the first part of the Pulitzer Prize-winning epic by distinguished playwright Tony Kushner, runs March 30 through April 7 at the Louis Armstrong Theatre of the Performing Arts Center.
Showtimes are March 30-31 and April 5-7 at 7:30 p.m., and April 1 and 7 at 2 p.m. Tickets are $7 for adults, $6 for groups and senior citizens, and $5 for students. Because of strong language and adult themes, viewer discretion is strongly advised. For tickets, call 616-895-2300.
Since Kushner finished the script in 1991, Angels in America has become a Broadway hit, received seven Tony Awards and a Pulitzer Prize, and has been acclaimed by audiences worldwide. Its portrayal of youth and social issues gives a humorous, heartbreaking and unforgettable vision of life and death in the contemporary United States.
The plot revolves around the internal strife between the characters when one reveals that he is gay, while another discovers he has AIDS. The play also deals with drug addiction and political ideology of the past two decades.
School of Communications Assistant Professor Karen Libman, who is directing the play, said that Angels in America was selected for production at the students' request after they read parts of the script as part of a classroom assignment.
They wanted to do it. It's just a phenomenal play and they want to do good theater, Libman said. She said she understands their desire to take on the sometimes controversial subjects explored in the play. This is contemporary, cutting-edge stuff that speaks to their lives. In a way, the students are getting a taste of doing something that's beautiful and artistic, but that raises issues as well. I think people will be awestruck at the end.
The production features seven students: Charlie Wilkins, Scott Rosendall, Chris Teller, Jen Rashleigh, Heather Hartnett, Rodel Salazar, and Tamira A. Henry. Theatre junior Andrew Dorland is stage manager for the production.
Greg Redford, a professional actor in Ludington community theater, will play the role of Roy Cohn, who in real life was an infamous New York lawyer and power broker who ruthlessly persecuted homosexuals. A homosexual himself, Cohn died of AIDS in 1986.
At performances, there will be a table for distribution of AIDS awareness materials and red ribbons. There are also three events planned in conjunction with the play:
¿ Monday, April 2, 1-2 p.m.: Lecture, open to the public
Dr. Pat Tetreault, sexuality and health educator at the University of Nebraska, will present a lecture, The Umbrella of Oppression: Diversity, Awareness, and Inclusive Programming in the Classroom. Cook-DeWitt Center, GVSU Allendale Campus. Dr. Tetreault will also present a workshop from 3-5 p.m. Limited enrollment. Call (616) 895-3498 to register.
¿ Wednesday, April 4, 1-2:30 p.m.: Panel Discussion
¿ Thursday, April 12, 7:30 p.m.:
The cast will present a staged reading of Part II of Angels in America. Titled Perestroika, it brings together the lives of all the characters in Part I. Recital Hall, Performing Arts Center, Allendale Campus.
