Ensemble Continuing "Angels in America" Saga with "Perestroika"

Ensemble Theatre continues the ambitious undertaking of producing both parts of Tony Kushner’s masterpiece, Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, with Part Two: Perestroika opening April 27 at the Cleveland Heights theater.

Part One: Millennium Approaches ran at Ensemble in January of this year, beginning the story of a group of characters living and surviving during the rise of the AIDS epidemic in 1980s New York City. Part Two picks up right where Millennium Approaches left off – with the character of Prior (Scott Esposito) being visited by the Angle (Inés Joris).

It’s a once-in-a-generation opportunity for fans of theater to be able to see a full production of Perestroika, especially in conjunction with Millennium Approaches. Producing both shows in the same season is something that Ensemble Executive Artistic Director Celeste Cosentino sees as a necessary undertaking, given the importance of the whole story.

“I think it makes sense to produce both parts,” Cosentino said of directing both plays. “It’s really one big story, and I’m excited for the opportunity to provide audiences with the chance to watch the characters’ entire journey.”

As with all plays at Ensemble, Cosentino cast Cleveland-based actors including Derdriu Ring* (Hannah), Jeff Grover* (Roy Cohn), Kelly Strand (Harper), Scott Esposito (Prior), Robert Hunter (Belize), James Rankin (Joe), Craig Joseph (Louis), and Inés Joris (Angel) to play the roles of both plays – with the entire cast returning to fulfill the story in Perestroika.

Both parts of Angels in America are considered to be two of the great American plays written in the last half-century with Part One debuting on Broadway 25 years ago, quickly followed by Part Two.

Winner of the 1993 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, Millennium Approaches was well-received by critics and audiences alike when it ran at Ensemble in January. Long-time Cleveland critic Bob Abelman hailed the production saying, “Cosentino has put together a talented cast and crew to generate a very memorable production of a truly monumental play. Bring on Part Two.”

Roy Berko summed up the production in his piece for “Cool Cleveland,” writing “combine a brilliantly written play that has a compelling purpose with an adept director, a well-conceived set, sound and lighting, and an excellent cast, and you have a first-class theater experience ... this is a must see!”

Angels in America, Part Two: Perestroika opens April 27 and runs through May 20 with performances on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm at Ensemble Theatre, 2843 Washington Blvd.

For tickets and information, call 216.321.2930, email info@ensemble-theatre.org or visit www.EnsembleTheatreCLE.org