Angels in America engages in the idea of camp, specifically, the scene in which Harper and Prior are in the Diorama Room. Camp has a certain level of exaggeration and is aesthetically pleasing. The idea of camp reflects a level of seriousness as well as comedy because of how outlandish a situation may be portrayed. Many situations and scenes are outlandish including the hallucinations. The various hallucinations that Harper and Prior have, alone and together, are very over the top and good examples of camp, but I focus on the Diorama Room scene in particular. In the Diorama Room, Harper and Prior are under the impression that Hannah has started the show for them and what they are seeing in the diorama is real. They watch a scene which features Joe and Louis and Harper informs Prior that Louis comes into the show often. The show makes Prior emotional and Hannah returns to see this,
(Hannah has gone to the diorama. She yanks the curtain open.)
HARPER: NO WAIT. Don’t…
(The father dummy is back-a real dummy this time.)
HARPER: Oh. (To Prior) Look, we…imagined it.
The Diorama Room is serious in that it serves as a medium for Prior’s revelation about Louis’s relationship with Joe. During the Diorama show, however, the audience also isn’t aware that it is a hallucination and are under the impression that it is a show along with Prior and Harper.
Angels in America uses the idea of camp to show the irony and humor of a rather, dark story. There are very serious themes and topics within the play, specifically the topics of AIDS within the LGBT community during this time. Having a lighthearted, comical element allows the audience to take in the heavier issues that the play addresses. The idea of camp shows the ridiculousness of societal norms and expectations
Kushner’s ability to bring such a lightness to a topic that is so heavy is helps the reader get through the more depressing parts of the play. The campiness of the drag’s funeral, the angel breaking through the ceiling and Harper’s travel agent Mr. Lies are all great aspects to exaggerate the play and stimulate meaning beyond a morbid story. While reading or watching the HBO version, the audience can laugh, cry and feel utterly uncomfortable all at once.