By Kori Casey, Staff Writer
Tickets are now on sale for OCU Theatre’s latest production, Angels in America Part One: Millennium Approaches.
Angels in America was written by playwright Tony Kushner, said Ben Corbett, acting professor and the play’s director. The story takes place in New York in the 1980s during the Reagan administration and the rise of the AIDS epidemic.
“It’s about two separate couples who are dealing with speaking the truth and discovering the truth in the mid-80s,” he said.
One story takes place in Manhattan and follows the life of “Prior” played by Alex Enterline—acting junior—and “Louis” played by Drew Feldman—acting senior—as they deal with “Prior’s” diagnoses of AIDS.
Feeling guilty is not conducive to solving someone’s issues, Feldman said.
“Angels in America can teach students to open themselves up and embrace all aspects of their life because time can be short,” he said.
The second story follows “Joe” played by Tanner Herrmann—acting junior—and “Harper” played by Emily Meier—acting senior—as “Joe” struggles with his sexuality and “Harper” struggles with a Valium addiction.
Another story focuses on “Roy Cohn,” a famous New York City lawyers who is “in the closet” and played by Ty Fanning—acting senior—as he struggles with AIDS and maintaining his reputation.
Other main characters include “Belize,” played by Kristin Byrdsong—musical theater senior—and “Hannah,” played by Amanda Ack—acting junior.
The set has a suggestion of an 1980s Rubik’s Cube in order to incorporate a piece from the time period, Corbett said.
“Since all of these people’s lives are intertwined, the set changes and set pieces would come from two cubes that fit together,” he said.
There also will be projections on the screen that will represent the locations of each character.
Officials chose to put on Angels in America because it was time to share the play’s story with the campus community, Corbett said.
“I find that Oklahoma City University, especially over the past four or five years, with Love Not Hate, has been really open to diversity,” he said. “ We are a university that embraces all cultures.
“One of those cultures is sexual orientation.”
Only Part One of Angels in America will premiere because of scheduling, Corbett said.
For more information, call the box office at (405) 208-5227. Tickets are $12 for adults and $8 for students.
