HAVERHILL — Northern Essex Community College Theater presents “Angels in America,” by Tony Kushner.
The show will be performed April 30 through May 3 at the Chester H. Hawrylciw Theater in the Spurk Building on the Haverhill campus.
The two-part, Pulitzer Prize-winning “gay fantasia” set in 1980s New York City explores the AIDS crisis, politics, and faith. It follows Prior Walter, abandoned by his lover, Louis after developing AIDS, and Joe Pitt, a closeted Mormon lawyer. Their lives intersect with the powerbroker Roy Cohn and ghostly figures as they grapple with disease, sexuality, and, in Prior’s case, a prophetic vision from an Angel.
“I’m directing it as a horror; it’s haunting,” said NECC Theater coordinator and acting professor Brianne Beatrice. “I’m trying to capture the feeling of the time for audiences who may not know or remember. The reality is actually scary, and we brush it under the rug. People were watching their friends die of this disease, and meanwhile, their whole community was ostracized and blamed for the AIDS epidemic.”
Beatrice is adept at bringing complex themes to NECC student actors. Last spring’s production of the “Vagina Monologues” recently won five awards from the Region 1 American College Theater Festival, including Best Invited Production. Beatrice was named the National Alliance Acting Teacher of Excellence.
She will attend the National Alliance of Acting Teachers’ Conference at The Juilliard School in June with winners from the other seven regions. The 2024 production of “Hurricane Diane,” its cast, crew, and Beatrice won 13 national awards from ACTF, the most of any college, including many four-year private schools.
Beatrice said one of the benefits to staging “Angels in America” is the opportunity to have a large cast.
“They’re really responding to this show, they’re elated to be doing it and they feel honored to do it,” Beatrice said of the cast, some of whom are brand new to NECC productions.
“Angels in America” is directed by Beatrice with Assistant Director Matt Lundergan and features NECC alumnus and professional actor Michael Zuccola.
Showtimes: April 30, 4 p.m.; May 1, 7 p.m. – President’s Performance – Reservations are recommended and can be made by contacting Heather Ringwald at 978-556-3853 or email hringwald@necc.mass.edu.; May 2, 7 p.m.; May 3, 2 p.m.
General admission: $20; students and seniors: $10.