Title: Millennium Approaches
Author: Tony Kushner
First published February 13, 1992
119 pages, Paperback
ISBN: 9781559360616 (ISBN10: 1559360615)
Rating: 4.26
Overview
Millennium Approaches is a gripping play by Tony Kushner that explores the complex issues of AIDS and homosexuality in America during the 1980s. This two-part play follows the lives of a gay couple in Manhattan and their struggles with the disease, as well as the supernatural beings and ghosts that weave in and out of their lives.
With multiple roles for the talented cast, this play is a metaphorical and at times symbolic examination of the devastating impact of AIDS on the LGBTQ+ community. A must-read for anyone looking to gain a deeper understanding of this pivotal moment in American history.
About the Author
Have you heard of Tony Kushner? He’s a highly acclaimed American playwright who’s best known for his masterpiece Angels in America.
This play earned him a prestigious Pulitzer Prize. But that’s not all.
Kushner also collaborated with Eric Roth to write the screenplay for the 2005 movie, Munich. Directed by Steven Spielberg, the film was a huge success and even earned Kushner and Roth an Academy Award nomination for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Editoral Review
Millennium Approaches by Tony Kushner is a groundbreaking play that was first published on February 13, 1992. The author, Tony Kushner, is a renowned playwright, screenwriter, and author who has won numerous awards for his work.
The play is a part of Kushner’s two-part Angels in America series, which explores the AIDS epidemic in the United States during the 1980s.
The play is written in a unique style that blends realism, fantasy, and political commentary. It is set in New York City during the Reagan era and tells the story of several characters whose lives are impacted by the AIDS epidemic.
The main characters include Prior Walter, a gay man who is diagnosed with AIDS; Louis Ironson, his boyfriend who leaves him after his diagnosis; Joe Pitt, a closeted gay man who works for a conservative lawyer; and Roy Cohn, a powerful lawyer who is also closeted and is dying of AIDS.
The play explores themes of love, loss, betrayal, and redemption. It is a powerful commentary on the AIDS epidemic and the political and social climate of the time.
It also touches on issues such as religion, race, and sexuality.
Kushner’s writing is masterful, and he creates complex characters that are both relatable and flawed. The pacing of the play is excellent, and the plot structure is well-crafted.
The play is both heartbreaking and hopeful, and it leaves a lasting impression on the reader.
Millennium Approaches is a significant work in the history of American theater. It has been praised for its groundbreaking portrayal of the AIDS epidemic and its impact on the LGBTQ+ community.
The play has also been adapted into an HBO miniseries and has been performed on stages around the world.
While the play has many strengths, it does have some weaknesses. Some readers may find the political commentary heavy-handed, and the play’s length may be a challenge for some audiences.
However, these criticisms are minor in comparison to the play’s overall impact and significance.
In conclusion, Millennium Approaches is a must-read for anyone interested in American theater, LGBTQ+ history, or political commentary. It is a powerful and important work that deserves a place on every bookshelf.
I would give it a rating of 4.5 out of 5 stars based on its quality of writing, character development, pacing, plot structure, and themes.
