STAGE TUBE: Ben Shankman Talks ANGELS!

Signature Theatre Company's production of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, began performances Tuesday, September 14. The first New York revival of Kushner's Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize-winning play is directed by Michael Greif. The production, originally slated to run through December 19, has been extended a second time through February 20, 2011. Previously, BroadwayWorld has brought you clips of the creative team members discussing their experience with the production. Today, we bring you the latest from the Signature's web series, revisiting original Angels company members. In this clip, Ben Shankman - Louis Ironson from the HBO Miniseries - revisits the meaning of ANGELS.

Signature Theatre Company recently announced a third extension for the first New York revival of Tony Kushner's ANGELS IN AMERICA: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes, directed by Michael Greif. The production, originally slated to run through December 19, 2010 and extended initially through January 30, 2011 and a second time through February 20, 2011, will now play an additional five weeks through Sunday, March 27, 2011.ANGELS IN AMERICA opened October 28 after beginning previews on September 14 at the Peter Norton Space (555 West 42nd Street).

ANGELS IN AMERICA features Robin Bartlett as Hannah Pitt, Christian Borle as Prior Walter, Bill Heck as Joe Pitt, Zoe Kazan as Harper Pitt, Billy Porter as Belize, Zachary Quinto as Louis Ironson, Robin Weigert as The Angel and Frank Wood as Roy Cohn.

Robin Bartlett, Christian Borle, Zoe Kazan, Zachary Quinto and Robin Weigert will play their final performances on Sunday, January 30, the end date of the initial extension. Starting February 2, Adam Driver (Mrs. Warren's Profession) will play the role of Louis Ironson, Lynne McCollough (Cavedweller) will play the role of Hannah Pitt and Michael Urie ("Ugly Betty," The Temperamentals) will play the role of Prior Walter, with additional casting to be announced.

Signature Theatre Company's 20th Anniversary season celebrating Tony Kushner also features the New York premiere of THE INTELLIGENT HOMOSEXUAL'S GUIDE TO CAPITALISM AND SOCIALISM WITH A KEY TO THE SCRIPTURES, also directed by Michael Greif and co-produced with The Public Theater in association with The Guthrie Theater; and THE ILLUSION, Kushner's freely adapted version of Pierre Corneille's L'Illusion Comique, directed by Tony Award-winner Michael Mayer.

The season will also include readings of selected other plays from Tony Kushner's body of work.

For more information visit www.signaturecenter.org.

Video Courtesy of Signature Theatre.