Rating: 
Summary: Seems Dated Despite the Issues it Addresses
Review: Despite this play's dealing with late-twentieth-century issues, it seemed to me to come out a tradition from the first half of the twentieth century--derived largely from psychoanaltic thought--that one's motivations and behavior have little to do with spirituality and mostly to do with repression and sexuality. Then when I read the author's note I noticed that, indeed, he was inspired by those early-twentieth-century thinkers & writers. The play seemed old-fashioned to me.That said, the characterizations are first-rate, and I can't wait for the amazing Jeffrey Wright to reprise his Tony-winning performance as Belize when HBO airs their production of "Angels." I'd love to see a Part 3 where Joe and a new lover are married by a lesbian United Church of Christ pastor, demonstrating that it really is possible to be gay and Christian at the same time!
Rating: 
Summary: This play is phenomenal!
Review: I am a theater major at Oberlin College, and I have never read such an amazing play.
Rating:
Summary: A College Student's Interpretation......
Review: I began reading Tony Kushner's play, "Angels In America" a few days ago and I haven't been able to stop talking about it. At first, it seemed to be a typical emotionally draining type of play where I would become depressed just thinking that I needed to finish reading it. I have never been so wrong in my short lived life. This play kept me awake to all hours of the night because it captured my attention like no other piece of literature. It discusses almost every contraversial topic associated with the 1980's. Covering such "taboos" as homosexuality, AIDS, politics, racism, and religion. Not only did it cover all these topics in sufficient and extremely intellectual context it had other qualities that aided to its jaw-dropping dialogues. Almost every scene seemed to relate to the theme of the play in an abstract or symbolic way. Personally, I intend on seeing the play live and I recommend that everyone read both "Millennium Approaches" and "Perestroika". They each opened my eyes to the reality and pain behind the medical information that is always given about the disease. By reading and thinking about the play anyone can find a scene, character, or topic that relates to his or her life. This play is absolutely the best contemporary piece of literature that I ever had the pleasure to read.
Rating:
Summary: Read this twice...
Review: I first read Millenium and Perestroika when I was in high school and Kushner won the Pulitzer. I reread the same plays when my college decided to put on both productions. On the whole I believe these plays were so acclaimed because of the times they were written in, and not much more. In Millenium Kushner does make some of his characters stereotypical homosexuals and some of his characters, like Harper, often speak English as if it were a second language. I don't know anyone who speaks like this woman does! Several moments in the play become preachy and you often walk away feeling battered and bruised into seeing Kushner's point. But the characters Joe Harper and Roy Cohn make this play a must-read. These two characters are so wonderfully depicted in scenes together and with other characters that you know them by the time you close the book. When you finish Perestroika, you are likely to feel that Kushner sold out, even though the writing is much more audience friendly and less preachy. It is an easier read than Millenium but many of the conflicts end far too conveniently while others will put a smirk on your face. My advice--read these plays twice. Once for enjoyment, and again to try to understand what specifically Kushner is trying to say.
Rating:
Summary: Seems Dated Despite the Issues it Addresses
Review: I read both installments of Angels in America when I was a senior in high school. I bet I was the only student in my school who has even heard of it. This is a pinnacle of American drama and Kushner is taking it to levels of the highest theatricality. To me, this play is reminiscent of Williams, O'Neill, with hints of Beckett's absurdity, Marquez's magical realism, Lorca's passion, and Larry Kramer's themes. It is impossible to due these plays justice by comparing them to those of their predecessors-it is a masterpiece all its own. Using the recurrent theme in modern drama-homosexuality-Angels brings home many issues that we face as a human family. Rumors have it that HBO is filming both plays as a movie or mini-series, and I can't wait for everyone to be able to experience the two Tony award and Pulitzer winning art of Tony Kushner that I will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: It Doesn't Get Any Better
Review: I read both installments of Angels in America when I was a senior in high school. I bet I was the only student in my school who has even heard of it. This is a pinnacle of American drama and Kushner is taking it to levels of the highest theatricality. To me, this play is reminiscent of Williams, O'Neill, with hints of Beckett's absurdity, Marquez's magical realism, Lorca's passion, and Larry Kramer's themes. It is impossible to due these plays justice by comparing them to those of their predecessors-it is a masterpiece all its own. Using the recurrent theme in modern drama-homosexuality-Angels brings home many issues that we face as a human family. Rumors have it that HBO is filming both plays as a movie or mini-series, and I can't wait for everyone to be able to experience the two Tony award and Pulitzer winning art of Tony Kushner that I will never forget.
Rating:
Summary: Hysterical and tragic at the same instant
Review: I read the first part for a theatre class and I don't think I really got it. Then I saw both plays - wow! Incredible, funny, tragic, and cutting edge at the same time. Read the plays and go to a production if you can!
Rating:
Summary: Captivating
Review: I read this playbook without having seen the play, which I usual don't do, but this one just kept me hooked from start to finish.
Rating: 
Summary: Great Books
Review: I thought both parts of Angels In America were wonderful. I had seen the shows done at the Arkansas Repertory Theatre and I was so amazed by their acting, staging, and overall show that I just HAD to go out and get these books. If you pick it up and just start reading, it can be confusing. I do suggest you see the show(s) live, if you can. The plot is so moving and real. There are so many scenes that are so touching, sad, halarious, breath taking, and leave you in awe. Maybe this was because I had seen the shows first. But I can still, after several years, pick up these plays and enjoy them all over again.
Rating: 
Summary: Not a phenomenon
Review: I was a freshman at CCM when we put on a first-rate production of this play. I had read it years before when it became the 'phenomenon' it has been labeled since its opening. But unless you see it onstage with all the magic played out in front of you, you are likely to feel you are being preached at. Yes, it is the first play of its kind to put modern society's true feelings towards homosexuals and AIDS under the microscope; but it reads like Kushner tried too hard to find just the right words to preach at his audience. However, I do appreciate the characterization of Roy Cohn and Joe Harper and it is worth reading if you are interested in plays that turn against society.
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