A wing and a prayer

Boston Theatreworks is putting on Tony Kushner's epic two-part play "Angels in America" in the South End, and it's a beautiful, powerful production.

And I swear I'm not just saying this because one of my best friends is playing the unbalanced, valium-addicted Mormon housewife.

The theater company doesn't have the budget to make the angel look like this:

It doesn't have the money for much of a set at all. In fact, it looks like the Theatreworks angel's wings have been made from a bunch of baby gates nailed together. But it works. The whole play works because the story -- about love, lust, AIDS, greed, power, and identity -- is so poignant and funny and painful, and the cast is so talented.

And did I mention that the woman who plays Harper is brilliant? "Authentically nuts," according to a guy looking at her headshot in the hallway.

Oh, and there's male nudity too.

Part 2, "Perestroika," opens this weekend. Then the two halves will be done in repertory through Feb. 10. You really shouldn't miss it.