By Bob Nelson

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) — If you admire heavyweight theatre, you’ll certainly enjoy the latest attraction at The Wilma Theater: the critically acclaimed and ambitious “Angels In America,” by Tony Kushner.

This second part carries the subtitle “Perestroika,” a name for political and economic reform in the former Soviet Union.

What we have going now at The Wilma, under the direction of Blanka Zizka, is a long-winded display of historical characters who manage to get themselves into messy situations, although it seems that each character also embraces a generous nature.

While there’s pain and arrogance in a number of characters, there’s also some generosity — even humor.

Remember, too, the display of characters takes time. There’s very little stagnation.

It’s as revealing today as it was when it was written — a stirring drama consuming much of an evening.

The Wilma Theater is presenting both part one, “Millennium Approaches,” and part two, “Perestroika,” on various nights through October 21st.  For tickets or more information, go to wilmatheater.org.

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