Clarksville, TN – Nearly three decades after its Broadway premiere, the drama hailed by Newsweek as “the most ambitious American play of our time” is coming to Clarksville’s oldest professional theatre, the Roxy Regional Theatre.
“Angels In America”, Part One: Millennium Approaches, opens at the Roxy Regional Theatre on Thursday, March 17th, at 7:00pm. In keeping with the theatre’s pay-what-you-can opening night tradition, all tickets not pre-sold at the regular price will go on sale at 7:30pm that evening for a $5.00 minimum donation.
Roxy Regional Theatre Executive Director Ryan Bowie plays Prior Walter, a 30-year-old New Yorker whose lover Louis, played by Calvin Malone, abandons him when he falls ill with AIDS. Transcendent forces — visions and angels — help transform Prior from a man dying of AIDS to a man living with AIDS.
Along the way, several romantic and platonic couples come apart, and the final social configuration of the play comprises a loose band of multigenerational, multiracial, queer friends. Often metaphorical and at times symbolic, its call for humanity, empathy, compassion, and inclusion make “Angels In America” as timely as ever.
“The relevance and message of “Angels In America” still rings true today, 25 years later, and that is one of the reasons I am so passionate about bringing this production to our stage in Season 39,” says Bowie, who is also directing the production. “As a homosexual man, the fear of HIV and AIDS is ingrained in our community. But deep down, no matter the circumstance, everyone deals with the fear of death and despair. “Angels In America” reminds us we can find hope and the reason to live again by allowing ourselves to discuss our differences and find a common voice.”
The cast also features Matthew Combs and Sara Anderson as Joe and Harper Pitt, a young Mormon couple facing addiction and closeted homosexuality; Jama Bowen as Joe’s mother Hannah; Darren V. Michael as the infamous McCarthy-ite lawyer Roy M. Cohn; David Ridley as drag queen-turned-nurse Belize; and Emily Rourke as the Angel.
Produced in part by Ted & David Jones, with additional funding support provided by Brandon & Amanda Pitt, “Angels In America” is presented through special arrangement with Broadway Play Publishing Inc., www.broadwayplaypub.com.
Performances run March 17th through March 26th on Thursdays at 7:00pm and Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm, with 2:00pm matinees on Saturday, March 19th and 26th.
Please note: This production contains strong language, sexual content, and adult situations which may not be suitable for all audiences.
Tickets are $30.00 (adults) and $15.00 (10 and under) and may be reserved online at www.roxyregionaltheatre.org, by phone at 931.645.7699, or at the theatre during regular box office hours (9:00am to 2:00pm, Monday through Friday, and one hour prior to curtain).
Military and APSU students can receive two tickets for the price of one to Thursday performances during the run, while CitySaver coupon holders can receive two tickets for the price of one to Friday performances.
Health and Safety Precautions
Facial coverings masking the nose and mouth are REQUIRED inside the Roxy Regional Theatre (except when actively eating or drinking) for everyone, regardless of vaccination status. The Roxy Regional Theatre reserves the right to change this COVID-19 policy at any time and will communicate any necessary changes electronically or in person.
About the Roxy Regional Theatre
The Roxy Regional Theatre is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing professional live theatre and promoting the arts, with emphasis on education, in Clarksville, Middle Tennessee, and the Southeast. The theatre is located at 100 Franklin Street in Historic Downtown Clarksville.
For more information, visit www.roxyregionaltheatre.org
