Stages of Development and Criticism

Broadway

"With its futuristic vision, Angels is a spiritual survival kit for the 21st century. And laughter is among its primary tools."

http://www.lexisnexis.com/us/lnacademic/returnTo.do?returnToKey=20_T5717929993


USA Today's review, while brief, notably remarks on the unexpected pathos "Angels in America" simulates. The solo snag of the production seems to be the conclusion, and only named due to the lack of Part Two. Broadway sifted through the L.A. production and brought with it a show designed to profoundly remark on contemporary issues.

HBO Mini- Series
"It's not that the joke isn't funny, but that the insularity of the film steals its outward aspect. The joke gets stuck inside the world of the story, and any opportunity for viewers to connect with it is overshadowed by the camera's insistence on its humor."

http://www.slate.com/id/2092434/

Peck admires Kushner's "Angels in America"- not it's ho-hum translation to the screen. Much of the disappointment lies in the production's inattention to the script's basic intent. Camera usage that could typically enhance a stage production seems to hinder the underlying rhythm of language along with the actor's relationships. Beyond some poor technical decisions, HBO's portrayal suffers from the fact that sensitivities to matters of 1985 and 1993 are somewhat muffled in year 2003.

Professional
"Angels in America is a must-see play. Despite the twenty years since its release, it rings true in today's political and social climate. The relationships it depicts, and its themes of human frailty, mortality, moral choices, and political corruption, all transcend time."

http://blogcritics.org/archives/2008/02/01/154041.php

Hard primarily applauds the ambition of Boston Theatre Works for undertaking Kushner's "Angels in America" that has been absent from stage nearly ten years. His praise implies the script rather than the production, particularly the language of the text and the insight it provides into the character's psyches. The simplicity of the set gives the necessary precedence to the powerful messages in "Angels.." that enthrall many generations.

College

"This production of Part I of Angels In America is superbly directed by Stuart Meltzer. Difficult scenic and acting transitions flow seamlessly from start to finish."

://www.talkinbroadway.com/regional/sfla/sfla136.html

Lariviere catalogues the core issues staged in "Angels in America" and how they correlate to everyday America. The minimalist design provides no distraction from the performances of various actors whom he critiques. All aspects of the production receive approval including tasteful nudity leaving him to prompt a challenge to other theatre venues.

Pre-Broadway

""Angels in America" has no theatrical precedent that I can think of. It has something of the dark freedom expressed in novels of magic realism, but it's not a novel. It's an occasionally uproarious, often brutal and sorrowful circus with what might be called novelistic tendencies and a theatrical heart."

http://theater2.nytimes.com/mem/theater/treview.html?res=9C02EED61130F933A05752C0A962958260

Canby contrasts the Broadway bound "Angels in America" between the New York and London performances, offering awareness to the differences in theatre among the two cultures. The New York production vibe comes across more loose(but without nudity) to the carefully staged London performance. In addition, he also compares audiences of the two performances, applauding Kushner for appealing to an array of theatre-goers.