Profs discuss themes in 'Angels'

Fantasies and realities, drugs and religion, homosexuality and AIDS, politics and lost American dreams. These were just a few of the themes which panelists explored last night in an open discussion about Tony Kushner's play, Angels in America. The show opens tonight in the Zellerbach Theatre and will continue through this weekend. The panel was led by Theater Arts Department Chairperson Cary Mazer, an author and theatre critic for the City Paper, and Religious Student Professor Ann Matter, author of numerous papers about gender and religion. During their discussion, entitled "Angels Approaches: Spirituality and The Theatre in America Today," each presented a mini-synopsis of the two-part play, and also addressed the many social issues which the script raises. Matter explained that the play offers a portrait of mysticism and eroticism in the visit of "the angel." She added that it also addresses the issue of gay life in America. Mazer also described the play as "two interconnecting stories of New York gay and political life," coupled with the exploration of the life of a drag queen. It responds to these issues through the eyes of the two families in the play -- one Jewish and the other Mormon, he added. Matter also spoke at length about the role of angels in the Jewish and Christian religions and her dissatisfaction with the role of woman in the play. "Here we see men having relationships with other men, but the women only engage in relationships with other men," she said. "Men are seen as magnets to the personalities of women." Audience members said that both professors offered a phenomenal preview of the play, since the majority of them were unfamiliar with the plot. Most in attendance were non-student residents of the Philadelphia area, and only a few University students were present at the discussion. College and Wharton freshman Abigail Schade said the panel offered her a different way of looking at the play than she would have considered on her own. Although the play is centered around the life of a man who is dying of AIDS, Mazer explained that there is much more to the script, which he regards as intensely rich, dense and intellectual. "It is a piece about universal human conditions, lost and changed American dreams, and the concept of self-struggle," he said. Other panel discussions regarding issues in Angels in America will be held throughout the week, sponsored by the Annenberg Center Education Program.