The World Only Spins Forward

Apologies for doubling up on theater-related recs, but last week I finally got around to reading Isaac Butler and Dan Kois’ oral history of Angels in America, THE WORLD ONLY SPINS FORWARD. The book opens with a history lesson, documenting the origins of the AIDS crisis and how the spread of the disease inspired Tony Kushner to write his first draft of the play (which was over a thousand pages— a fact I can totally believe). Butler and Kois then walk us through the original workshops and productions of the play, followed by the HBO miniseries and subsequent major productions (with lots of fun anecdotes from the actors and major figures involved). The cultural impact of the play shines through on every page. I found the book an incredibly inspiring and important read, especially in light of the past year—art perseveres! 

—Julia Hammer, Creative Exec