REVIEW HIGHLIGHTS
Perestroika, the Russian word for “restructuring,” was known most for its use as the title of a 1980s Soviet reform program that introduced limited free-market principles to repair a failing economy. This term I think is a fitting moniker for part two of Angels In America, because preceded by the events in the Millennium Approaches where our characters take the fall off the precipice of sanity and struggle in the closing scenes' final moments, they are now forced to reconstruct what they broke on the way down. Last you and I met here, I promised you a review of the second half of Stray Cat’s three week fully fleshed out performance run of this otherworldly script. After leaving you for a moment with bated breath, I am finally here to deliver. If you were impressed by Millennium Approaches, I am delighted to inform you that Perestroika has every intent of stretching your mind and amazement beyond what you might have thought possible.
...an absolutely integral piece of praise. This troupe of actors has collectively some of the most palpable chemistry I have ever witnessed on stage. This show is one where every character has some sort of thread connecting them, and each interaction we unlock is fully fleshed out and unique. I truly could spin a wheel twice landing on any two characters in this show at random, and write an entire thesis on their distinctive relationship to each other. Not a single interaction from character to character falls to the wayside here. It is mind boggling how these actors do it so authentically. To the cast of Angels in America I must say this. Each and every one of you should be extremely proud of the show you have put on. Not only have you successfully managed to keep the lines of and perform two 3 hour productions, but your dedication and connection to each other is so apparent on that stage, that everyone in the audience was moved by simply being in your orbit. Very well done my friends.
I truly did not think my adoration of Millennium Approaches could be surpassed, but Stray Cat truly soared above even my highest expectation of what was to come after. Their iteration of Perestroika impeccably built upon what they had already established. This entire team deserves as many standing ovations as can possibly be achieved as they close out their run. There are not enough words to express how impressed and deeply moved I am by this company’s production of Angels in America, but I hope esteemed readers that I have managed to give an adequate attempt nonetheless. I cannot wait to see more work from this team, and I have no doubt, my pen will take to scrawling again wherever I might see any one of them next.
More Life,