Angels in Lansing

This month, Riverwalk Theatre will stage “Millennium Approaches,” the first half of “Angels in America,” a landmark play about queer identity and the AIDS crisis in the United States.

“It’s one of those iconic shows that only comes around every once in a while,” said Sally Hecksel, who plays one of four main characters, Harper Pitt.

Ticket sales for the final dress rehearsal on Aug. 14 will benefit the Lansing Area AIDS Network and can be purchased at laanonline.org. The play runs Aug. 15 through 18 and 22 through 25, with tickets available through a new ticketing platform on riverwalktheatre.com.

Ben Cassidy, who plays Joe Pitt, described his character as “a Mormon Republican lawyer who’s a chief clerk in the U.S. Court of Appeals. He’s married to Harper, and throughout the show, we see his values being tested. He struggles with his sexuality, which contradicts his religious beliefs. He’s presented with the opportunity to advance his career through Roy Cohn, but he has to decide if he’ll contradict his morals.”

Roy Cohn (1927-1986) was a real person, a New York City lawyer who rose to prominence for his role as the late Sen. Joseph McCarthy’s chief counsel during his investigations of suspected communists in the 1950s. He also represented former President Donald Trump early on in his business career.

“It’s unique to have a play where one character is based on a real person, and the rest are made up,” Hecksel said.

But “Angels in America” is not a typical play. Its long title, “Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes,” speaks to its epic approach to the issues it tackles. When it debuted on Broadway in 1993, “Millennium Approaches” won the Pulitzer Prize for drama as well as four Tony Awards and five Drama Desk Awards. The show has been performed and revived consistently over the last 30 years, and in 2003, it was adapted into an HBO miniseries.

Both Cassidy and Hecksel noted that although the play was written more than 30 years ago and is set 40 years ago, it’s more than relevant to audiences of today.

“The idea that the world is coming to an end is still very relatable. And, if you compare the COVID-19 pandemic and the government response, I think we’re still finding out how much of the show parallels our current society and climate,” Cassidy said. “We’ve made advances in medicine, but a lot of the themes hold true and are reminiscent of today.”

Hecksel added, “There are a lot of people who lived through the AIDS epidemic. I’ve had conversations with cast members who’ve said, ‘We had a friend who was there one day, and the next day, they were gone.’”

Doak Bloss during a rehearsal of “Angels in America: Millennium Approaches” at Riverwalk Theatre.

She continued, “When you think about older queer people, we don’t have a lot of those. There are a lot of young queer people, and that’s really inspiring. But it’s always really inspiring to see people who are living into their 70s and 80s who are trans, gay, lesbian, genderqueer. They do exist, but there are so many who have been taken by the AIDS epidemic. I think any source material that’s reflective of that time helps us better understand the community around us. To witness this in whatever way we’re able to has value.”

However, Hecksel noted that the stories and characters are intensely relatable even for people who aren’t queer or didn’t live through the 1980s.

“The playwright isn’t afraid to let his characters struggle,” she said. “Sometimes there’s resolution, and sometimes there isn’t. I appreciate shows that don’t have clean endings or fluffy resolutions. I want something that takes effort to digest because that makes it feel rewarding to me.”

Audience members should be advised that the show is geared toward adults, and there are scenes of high conflict and some violence and sexuality.

“I think that because the show is so revered and decorated, everyone understands its importance,” Cassidy said. “A lot of it is sensitive material, but it’s been a great pleasure to work with like-minded folks who give it the respect and attention it needs.”

Hecksel added, “I’m just grateful that more and more theaters in this community are willing to take on large projects. I’m grateful that we’re not showing any fear when it comes to this.”  

“Angels in America: Millennium Approaches”

Final dress rehearsal to benefit Lansing Area AIDS Network 7 p.m. Aug. 14

Aug. 15-18 and 22-25

7 p.m. Thursday-Saturday

2 p.m. Sunday

Riverwalk Theatre

228 Museum Drive, Lansing

(517) 482-5700

riverwalktheatre.com