History Characters / AngelsInAmerica

Chief clerk for Justice Theodore Wilson of the Federal Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. He is a devout Mormon, who moved out to UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity with his wife Harper several years back. Roy has taken it upon himself to be a sort of mentor to Joe. An encounter with a crying Louis in the men's room leads him to consciously realize that he is homosexual.

Louis's boyfriend of four years. Occasionally works as a club designer or caterer, otherwise lives very modesty but with great style off a small trust fund. The most recent member of his family to bear the name "Prior Walter", a name which goes back centuries, as long as the family line itself. As the play opens, he discovers he is HIV-positive and has developed a lesion on his chest. When his condition worsens, he is visited by The Angel.

Joe's mother, currently residing in Salt Lake City, living off her deceased husband's army pension. She comes to UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity after Joe calls her in the middle of the night to tell her he's gay.

[[folder:Secondary Characters]]

An orthodox Jewish rabbi, but a very unorthodox one as well. The play opens with him performing the funeral service for Louis's grandmother Sarah Ironson, during which he goes off on a semi-related tangent about the turn-of-the-century Jewish immigrants and their struggle. Played by the actor playing Hannah.

Harper's imaginary friend, a travel agent, who in style of dress and speech suggests a jazz musician; he always wears a large lapel badge emblazoned "IOTA" (International Order of Travel Agents). Played by the actor playing Belize.

Roy's doctor, who informs him that he is HIV-positive. Played by the actor playing Hannah in the play, and by Creator/JamesCromwell in the miniseries.

A Salt Lake City real-estate saleswoman, and friend to Hannah. Played by the actor playing The Angel.

A middle-aged Jewish woman from UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity who, along with her husband Julius, was charged with -- and found guilty of -- passing information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. Roy Cohn fought with all his connections to ensure that they did not get life in prison, but the death penalty. Based on the RealLife woman of the same name and same story. She appears to haunt Roy once his condition worsens.

Louis' deceased grandmother whose funeral opens the show. Her ghost appears in one of the final scenes of the show--one often cut from productions and not in the MiniSeries--alongside the Rabbi, and speaks only in Yiddish. [[IdenticalGrandson Played by the actor playing Louis]].

A successful New York lawyer and unofficial power broker, based on the [[RealLife real man]] of the same name. Like the real Cohn, Roy was UsefulNotes/JosephMcCarthy's right-hand man during the RedScare, and a paragon of corrupt conservatism. At the end of act one, it is revealed that due to on-the-sly sexual encounters with numerous men (his own rampant homophobia aside), Roy has contracted HIV. Later on in the play, as the disease takes hold, Roy is haunted by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg, a Soviet spy who received the death sentence thanks to Roy's determination, and illegal maneuvers.

Chief clerk for Justice Theodore Wilson of the Federal Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. He is a devout Mormon, who moved out to UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity with his wife Harper several years back. Roy has taken upon himself to be a sort of mentor to Joe. An encounter with a crying Louis in the men's room leads him to consciously realize that he is homosexual.

Joe's wife, an agoraphobic with a mild Valium addiction, which results in her random delusions and imaginary friends. She is very distant from her husband, and leaves him once she realizes he's gay.

A word processor working for the Second Circuit Court of Appeals. He is very politically-minded, and very guilt-ridden. When his lover Prior is revealed to have HIV, Louis is unable to cope and leaves him.

Louis's boyfriend of four years. Occasionally works as a club designer or caterer, otherwise lives very modesty but with great style off a small trust fund. The most recent member of his family to bear the name "Prior Walter", a name which goes back centuries, as long as the family line itself. As the play opens, he discovers he is HIV-positive, and has developed a lesion on his chest. When his condition worsens, he is visited by The Angel.

Four divine emanations: Fluor, Phosphor, Lumen, and Candle, manifest in One; the Continental Principality of America. She has magnificent steel-grey wings. Well, that's how Kushner describes her anyway. Laconic version: she's an angel who appears to Prior in a [[BuffySpeak vision dream thing]] and tells him that he is the Prophet, and that he must tell humankind to stop progressing as a species so that God will come back to Heaven. ItsALongStory. The Angel is also TheVoice until the end of the first part ''Millenium Approaches'', and fills the role of announcer throughout the play.

Harper's imaginary friend, a travel agent, who in style of dress and speech suggests a jazz musician; he always wear a large lapel badge emblazoned "IOTA" (International Order of Travel Agents). Played by the actor playing Belize.

A middle-aged Jewish woman from UsefulNotes/NewYorkCity who, along with her husband Julius, was charged with--and found guilty of--passing information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. Roy Cohn fought with all his connections to ensure that they did not get life in prison, but the death penalty. Based on the RealLife woman of the same name and same story. She appears to haunt Roy once his condition worsens.

This character sheet is for Theatre/AngelsInAmerica.

In order of appearance:

A successful New York lawyer and unofficial power broker, based on the [[RealLife real man]] of the same name. Like the real Cohn, Roy was Joseph [=McCarthy's=] right-hand man during the RedScare, and a paragon of corrupt conservatism. At the end of act one, it is revealed that due to on-the-sly sexual encounters with numerous men (his own rampant homophobia aside), Roy has contracted HIV. Later on in the play, as the disease takes hold, Roy is haunted by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg, a Soviet spy who received the death sentence thanks to Roy's determination, and illegal maneuvers.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. Creator/AlPacino played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Frank Wood played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Creator/NathanLane played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Creator/ChristianBorle played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Creator/AndrewGarfield played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Creator/MarciaGayHarden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Creator/MaryLouiseParker played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Creator/ZoeKazan played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Denise Gough played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

David Marshall Grant originated the role of Joe et al on Broadway. Patrick Wilson played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Bill Heck played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Creator/LeePace played the part in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Creator/MarciaGayHarden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Zoe Kazan played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Denise Gough played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Joe Mantello originated the role of Louis et al on Broadway. Ben Shenkman played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Zachary Quinto played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. James [=McArdile=] played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Creator/JeffreyWright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries, winning a whole bunch of awards along the way. Billy Porter played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.Nathan Stewart-Jarrett played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Ellen [=McLaughlin=] originated the role of The Angel et al on Broadway. Emma Thompson played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Weigart (who played the Mormon mother in the miniseries) played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival. Amanda Lawrence played the role in the 2018 Broadway revival.

Roy's doctor, who informs him that he is HIV-positive. Played by the actor playing Hannah in the play, and by James Cromwell in the miniseries.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. Creator/AlPacino played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Frank Wood played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

David Marshall Grant originated the role of Joe et al on Broadway. Patrick Wilson played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Bill Heck played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Creator/MarciaGayHarden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Zoe Kazan played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Joe Mantello originated the role of Louis et al on Broadway. Ben Shenkman played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Zachary Quinto played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Creator/ChristianBorle played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Kathleen Chalfant originated the role Hannah et al on Broadway. Creator/MerylStreep played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Bartlett played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Creator/JeffreyWright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries, winning a whole bunch of awards along the way. Billy Porter played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Ellen [=McLaughlin=] originated the role of The Angel et al on Broadway. Emma Thompson played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Weigart (who played the Mormon mother in the miniseries) played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Christian Borle played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. AlPacino played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Frank Wood played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Four divine emanations, Fluor, Phosphor, Lumen, and Candle; manifest in One; the Continental Principality of America. She has magnificent steel-grey wings. Well, that's how Kushner describes her anyway. Laconic version: she's an angel who appears to Prior in a [[BuffySpeak vision dream thing]] and tells him that he is the Prophet, and that he must tell humankind to stop progressing as a species so that God will come back to Heaven. ItsALongStory. The Angel is also TheVoice until the end of the first part ''Millenium Approaches'', and fills the role of announcer throughout the play.

The CouncilOfAngels running Heaven since God's desertion. Apart from The Angel of America, who visits Prior, they are the Angels: Europa (played by the actor playing Joe), Africanii (played by the actor playing Harper), Oceania (played by the actor playing Belize), Asiatica (played by the actor playing Hannah), Australia (played by the actor playing Louis), and Antarctica (played by the actor playing Roy). They share the American angel's {{Verbal Tic}}s.

[[/folder]]

<<|CharacterSheets|>>

Marcia Gay Harden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Zoe Kazan played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Jeffrey Wright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries, winning a whole bunch of awards along the way. Billy Porter played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

This character sheet is for AngelsInAmerica.

Kathleen Chalfant originated the role Hannah et al on Broadway. MerylStreep played the role in the {{Creator/HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Bartlett played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. AlPacino played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Frank Wood played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

David Marshall Grant originated the role of Joe et al on Broadway. Patrick Wilson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Bill Heck played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Marcia Gay Harden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Zoe Kazan played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Joe Mantello originated the role of Louis et al on Broadway. Ben Shenkman played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Zachary Quinto played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Christian Borle played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Kathleen Chalfant originated the role Hannah et al on Broadway. MerylStreep played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Bartlett played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Jeffrey Wright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries, winning a whole bunch of awards along the way. Billy Porter played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

Ellen [=McLaughlin=] originated the role of The Angel et al on Broadway. Emma Thompson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Robin Weigart (who played the Mormon mother in the miniseries) played the role in the 2010 Off-Broadway revival.

::'''Prior Walter'''

!! Main Characters:

::'''Roy Cohn'''

::'''Joseph Porter Pitt'''

::'''Harper Amaty Pitt'''

::'''Louis Ironson'''

::'''Hannah Porter Pitt'''

::'''Belize'''

::'''The Angel of America'''

!! Secondary Characters:

::'''Rabbi Isidor Chemelwitz'''

::'''Mr. Lies'''

::'''The man in the park'''

::'''Henry'''

::'''Emily'''

::'''Martin Heller'''

::'''Sister Ella Chapter'''

::'''Prior Walter's first ancestor'''

::'''Prior Walter's second ancestor'''

::'''The woman in the South Bronx'''

::'''Ethel Rosenberg'''

::'''Aleksii Antedilluvianovich Prelapsarianov'''

::'''The Mormon Family'''

::'''The Continental Principalities'''

::'''Sarah Ironson'''

Chief clerk for Justice Theodore Wilson of the Federal Court of Appeals, Second Circuit. He is a devout Mormon, who moved out to NewYorkCity with his wife Harper several years back. Roy has taken upon himself to be a sort of mentor to Joe. An encounter with a crying Louis in the men's room leads him to consciously realize that he is homosexual.

Joe's mother, currently residing in Salt Lake City, living off her deceased husband's army pension. She comes to NewYorkCity after Joe calls her in the middle of the night to tell her he's gay.

A middle-aged Jewish woman from NewYorkCity who, along with her husband Julius, was charged with--and found guilty of--passing information about the atomic bomb to the Soviet Union. Roy Cohn fought with all his connections to ensure that they did not get life in prison, but the death penalty. Based on the RealLife woman of the same name and same story. She appears to haunt Roy once his condition worsens.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. AlPacino played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Frank Wood.

David Marshall Grant originated the role of Joe et al on Broadway. Patrick Wilson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Bill Heck.

Marcia Gay Harden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Zoe Kazan.

Joe Mantello originated the role of Louis et al on Broadway. Ben Shenkman played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Zachary Quinto.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Christian Borle.

Kathleen Chalfant originated the role Hannah et al on Broadway. MerylStreep played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Robin Bartlett.

Jeffrey Wright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Billy Porter.

Ellen [=McLaughlin=] originated the role of The Angel et al on Broadway. Emma Thompson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries. Currently being played Off-Broadway by Robin Weigert.

A successful New York lawyer and unofficial power broker, based on the [[RealLife real man]] of the the same name. Like the real Cohn, Roy was Joseph [=McCarthy's=] right-hand man during the RedScare, and a paragon of corrupt conservatism. At the end of act one, it is revealed that due to on-the-sly sexual encounters with numerous men (his own rampant homophobia aside), Roy has contracted HIV. Later on in the play, as the disease takes hold, Roy is haunted by the ghost of Ethel Rosenberg, a Soviet spy who received the death sentence thanks to Roy's determination, and illegal maneuvers.

Ron Liebman originated the role of Roy et al on Broadway. AlPacino played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

David Marshall Grant originated the role of Joe et al on Broadway. Patrick Wilson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Marcia Gay Harden originated the role of Harper et al on Broadway. Mary-Louise Parker played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Joe Mantello originated the role of Louis et al on Broadway. Ben Shenkman played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Stephen Spinella originated the role of Prior et al on Broadway. Justin Kirk played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Kathleen Chalfant originated the role Hannah et al on Broadway. MerylStreep played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Jeffrey Wright originated the role of Belize et al on Broadway, and reprised the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.

Ellen [=McLaughlin=] originated the role of The Angel et al on Broadway. Emma Thompson played the role in the {{HBO}} MiniSeries.