The World Only Spins Forward: The Ascent of Angels in America

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Review A full-bodied portrait of Angels and the many people who nurtured it . . . A vivid, intelligently organized oral history . . . More than just the masterful story of one brilliant play, The World Only Moves Forward demonstrates the essentially collaborative nature of theater as an art form. (Wendy Smith Washington Post)The definitive account of a definitive work of American drama. A-. (Entertainment Weekly, "Books to Read, February 2018")A fascinating, backstage tour . . . The point is not just to show how this play found its voice, but also to place it in context . . . Theater magic. You've got to love it. And Dan Kois and Isaac Butler have captured a lot of it in The World Only Spins Forward. (Bob Mondello NPR)Like Angels in America itself, this oral history of Tony Kushner's two-part, seven-hour theatrical masterwork contains multitudes . . . capturing the ongoing reverberance and currency of Angels. It also conveys, on a granular level, the determination, heartbreak and competitive fire that go into making great theater . . . The World Only Spins Forward both celebrates and illuminates a great work. (San Francisco Chronicle)An illuminating assemblage of anecdotes, commentary, and nitty-gritty rehearsal notes . . . The World Only Spins Forward will stand as the definitive account of the birth, life, and legacy of Angels. (American Theatre)Marvelous . . . a vital book about how to make political art that offers lasting solace in times of great trouble, and wisdom to audiences in the years that follow. (Washington Post)[A] fascinating oral history. (Vogue)The World Only Spins Forward is a tribute to a masterwork as well as evidence that Angels in America is as urgent today as it was when it premiered. (Esquire)The definitive history of this now iconic play in oral history format . . . This gathering of the voices of actors, writers, and others is exceptional . . . Highly recommended for anyone interested in performance, cultural history, and theater. (starred review Library Journal)A brash and buoyant oral history of Angels in America . . . This invaluable origin story also examines the AIDS era and queer history in general. (starred review Booklist) Book Description The oral history of Angels in America, as told by the artists who created it and the audiences forever changed by it--a moving account of the AIDS era, essential queer history, and an exuberant backstage tale. See all Product description