Oakland opens season with stellar ‘Angels’

October 13, 2013 at 12:00a.m.

By ERIC MCCREA

YOUNGSTOWN

The Oakland opened its 2013-14 season with the Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning “Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches.” The play’s subtitle, “A Gay Fantasia on National Themes,” more accurately describes the story, written by Tony Kushner.

An amazing tableau of characters revolves around Prior Walter, a gay man dying of AIDS in the mid-’80s. His partner, Louis Ironson, has a guilt-ridden difficulty dealing with the physical decline he must witness, and he finds unexpected solace in the company of a married, closeted Reaganite named Joe, who works for the notorious Roy Cohn.

Cohn is suffering the same health issues due to his struggle with “liver cancer.” Joe’s wife, Harper, deals with her emotional and social solitude in their Brooklyn apartment by indulging in tiny fistfuls of valium, causing her to hallucinate some companions of her very own. The fantasia aspect comes into play when Prior begins to hear the voice of an angel.

Angels in America was produced as an HBO miniseries in 2003, with a formidable A-list cast that garnered five Golden Globe awards, nine Emmy awards and countless other nominations.

With such large shoes to fill, the Oakland cast does not disappoint. The ensemble of Youngstown’s own A-listers is sure to earn a few awards of their own. Most of them take on multiple roles, as the show calls for it.

At the opening, the audience is greeted by the flawless Molly Galano as a rabbi. Galano appears throughout the night as several other characters, but unfortunately, she doesn’t get as much stage time as she deserves. If only Kushner knew.

James McClellan as Louis is the only cast member to stick to one role, but his emotionally dynamic and powerful performance has the audience despising him one minute and sympathizing with him the next. Bravo, James.

Liz Conrad, as Harper, delivers a nuanced role that elicits laughs and tears practically in the same breath. Conrad also impresses as the odious, hardballing Martin Heller. Johnny Pecano’s portrayal of Prior Walter comes off as a little too flamboyant at times, but it fits perfectly in the dream/hallucination scene with Conrad, and his ability to be completely vulnerable and courageous at the same time makes the show come to life.

Candy DiLullo, another victim of not enough stage time, aptly shifts from crazy street person, to nurse, to angel with ease, but she truly shines as sister Ella with Galano.

Tyler Clark as Joe, and Cheney Morgan as Roy Cohn play their main roles slightly understated at times, and feel a bit out- acted by their fellow cast members, but both of them explode as the previous Priors.

Oakland newcomer Timothy R. Thomas as Belize and Mr. Lies shows great range and steals the spotlight, even when he’s not the one delivering dialogue.

The set was designed simply, which gave director Matthew Mazuroski a lot of freedom to be creative with lighting and video projections.

The show is for mature audiences and has a run time of just over 3 hours. Due to the length, the show has a special early start time of 7 p.m. and runs Friday and Saturday.

For reservations, call 330-746-0404.