Overview
Synopsis
The play is set in an impoverished Catholic mission in rural New Mexico where a group of disparate individuals gather due to an accident at a nearby nuclear facility. Included among them are a burnt out college professor, his much younger wife, the elderly parish priest, his brilliant half-Indian foster son, a middle-aged art gallery owner and her much younger boytoy lover. Confined within the church, they begin to reveal their stories to each other – their trials and tribulations, their hopes and fears and the personal crises which have brought them not only to this place but to turning points in their lives
Show Information
Context
Lanford Wilson wrote Angels Fall in 1982, during a period of heightened Cold War tensions when nuclear anxieties were at the forefront of American consciousness. The play reflects these cultural fears by stranding a group of characters in an isolated New Mexico church after a nearby nuclear accident. Within this enclosed setting, Wilson explores how ordinary people grapple with mortality, faith, and responsibility when faced with an uncertain future. The backdrop of the nuclear threat gives
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Characters
| Name | Part Size | Gender | Vocal Part |
|---|---|---|---|
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Female |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Lead |
Male |
Non-singer |
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Supporting |
Female |
Non-singer |
Songs
A song with an asterisk (*) before the title indicates a dance number; a character listed in a song with an asterisk (*) by the character's name indicates that the character exclusively serves as a dancer in this song, which is sung by other characters.
Monologues
Scenes
Key Terms
Allegory is a storytelling device in which characters, events, and settings represent abstract ideas or moral qualities. In theatre, allegorical plays often deliver social, political, or religious messages beneath their surface narrative.
Catharsis is the emotional release experienced by the audience at the conclusion of a tragedy or intense dramatic work. It allows viewers to purge feelings of fear, pity, or tension through the resolution of the play’s conflict. The concept dates back to Aristotle, who believed catharsis was central to the purpose of theatre.
The moment of highest tension in a play, usually where the main conflict reaches a turning point.
A crisis is the turning point in a play when the central conflict reaches its highest tension and the characters are forced to make key decisions. It usually occurs just before the climax and shapes how the drama will be resolved. In dramatic structure, the crisis heightens stakes and reveals the true nature of the characters.
Exposition is the presentation of background information necessary to understand the story, such as setting, character relationships, and prior events. It is often delivered through dialogue, narration, or stage action woven naturally into the play. Effective exposition provides clarity without disrupting the flow of the drama.
Naturalism is a theatrical style that seeks to depict life with accuracy, focusing on everyday speech, behavior, and settings. It often highlights ordinary people in realistic environments, emphasizing authenticity over theatricality. Emerging in the late 19th century, naturalism remains influential in contemporary drama.
Subtext refers to the unspoken thoughts, emotions, or intentions that lie beneath a character’s dialogue or actions. It provides depth and complexity to performances, allowing audiences to sense hidden conflicts or desires. Directors and actors often rely on subtext to create nuance and tension in storytelling.
A unit set is a single stage setting that is used throughout a play, rather than changing locations with each scene. It provides a continuous environment that can be adapted with lighting, props, or minimal adjustments to suggest different times or moods. Unit sets are often chosen for their practicality and ability to focus attention on the actors and dialogue.
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Themes, Symbols & Motifs
Themes
Faith and Spirituality – The church
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Guide Written By:
Jason Engleman
Humming show tunes day and night.