and the pursuit of personal freedom.

Hannah Porter Pitt

Hannah Porter Pitt, Joe's pragmatic and no-nonsense mother, is a devout Mormon with few prejudices. Upon learning of Joe's homosexuality, she relocates from Salt Lake City to New York to offer support to both Harper and Prior. Her actions are characterized by a strong sense of duty and maternal care, as she assists Prior in deciphering his visions and ultimately chooses to stay in New York. Hannah's steadfast character provides a stabilizing presence, emphasizing themes of family, acceptance, and endurance.

Belize

Belize, also known as Norman Arriaga, is an African American nurse with a history as a drag queen, and a former lover of Prior. Providing care for both Prior and Roy Cohn, Belize is a character marked by his acerbic wit and profound sense of compassion. Despite his disdain for Cohn's beliefs, he aids Cohn out of solidarity as a fellow gay man dying of AIDS, and insists on the recitation of the Kaddish for Cohn after his death, urging Louis to undertake this task. Belize's character is a blend of sharp humor, political awareness, and altruism, often acting as a voice of reason and embodying qualities akin to an earthly angel.

The Angel

The Angel, the Continental Principality of America, acts as heaven's messenger in a domain left in disarray since God’s departure in 1908, captivated by humanity’s ability to dream and evolve. Tasked with urging Prior to communicate a message of cessation of change to humankind, in the hope of luring God back, the Angel represents a celestial desire to halt progress. The Angel's interactions with Prior highlight the tension between divine command and human resilience, underscoring the play’s exploration of divine authority and human agency.

Ethel Rosenberg

Ethel Rosenberg, executed for espionage alongside her husband, serves as a spectral tormentor to Roy Cohn, who played a pivotal role in her prosecution. In death, she haunts Cohn, serving as a constant reminder of his past misdeeds. Her presence in the play underscores themes of justice and retribution, as well as the enduring impact of historical actions on the present.

Continental Principalities

The Continental Principalities are a celestial consortium representing each world continent. They convene in heaven to oversee the troubled state of Earth, their majestic appearance contrasting with their all-too-human squabbles. Tasked with persuading Prior to assume the role of Prophet, they fail in their endeavor, ultimately inspiring Prior to mockingly suggest they sue God, a plan they pursue with Roy Cohn as their legal advisor. Their portrayal adds a layer of humor and irony, reflecting on the absurdity of divine bureaucracy and the complex interplay between celestial and earthly realms.

Rabbi Isidor Chemelwitz

Rabbi Isidor Chemelwitz makes his first appearance at Sarah Ironson's funeral in Millennium Approaches and later appears in Perestroika playing cards in Heaven. His eulogy during the funeral sets the tone for the play, emphasizing themes of inevitable change and transition as he warns of the impending demise of the old world.

Emily

Emily, a nurse at Saint Vincent's Hospital, is known for her compassionate care during Prior's hospital admissions. With her nurturing demeanor, she offers him encouragement and support, serving as a beacon of hope amidst his struggles, reminding him of the small victories in coping with his condition.

Joseph Porter Pitt

Joseph Porter Pitt is a Mormon from Salt Lake City, serving as chief clerk for a federal appeals court judge. Joe is torn between his conservative values and suppressed homosexual inclinations. He cherishes his wife, Harper, but feels detached from her both physically and emotionally. His internal struggle and admiration for Roy Cohn lead him to pursue a relationship with Louis Ironson, ultimately abandoning Harper. Despite his respect for Cohn, he cannot emulate his ruthlessness. In the end, Joe is left isolated, forsaken by both Harper and Louis.

Sister Ella Chapter

Sister Ella Chapter, a friend of Hannah Pitt, briefly appears in Millennium Approaches assisting in the sale of Hannah’s home. An advocate for stability, she champions the idea of Salt Lake City as a haven for Mormons, embodying traditional values and the notion of community roots.

Martin Heller

Martin Heller is a Justice Department lawyer and an ally of Roy Cohn. He appears briefly, attempting to persuade Joe Pitt to join the department to further Cohn’s interests. Martin embodies the extreme conservative voice within the play, representing political machinations and allegiance.

Doctor Henry

Doctor Henry is Roy Cohn’s long-time physician, fully aware of Cohn’s denial regarding his sexuality. He informs Cohn of his AIDS diagnosis but is coerced into falsifying medical records to maintain the pretense of liver cancer. His character sheds light on the themes of truth, deception, and the moral complexities within the realm of personal and professional ethics.

Sarah Ironson

Sarah Ironson, Louis's grandmother, is remembered posthumously by Rabbi Chemelwitz as "the last of the Mohicans." A Russian-Jewish immigrant who established her family in New York, Sarah, in the afterlife, counsels Prior to confront the celestial, showcasing her enduring spirit and wisdom. Her character highlights the significance of heritage and resilience.

Mr. Lies

Mr. Lies is a figment of Harper's imagination, manifesting as a travel agent who offers her an escape from reality and occasionally guides her towards confronting her personal issues. He embodies the dichotomy of fantasy and reality, serving as both a guardian and a catalyst for Harper’s self-realization.

Man in the Park

The Man in the Park is an unnamed figure with whom Louis has a brief and chaotic encounter following his departure from Prior's side. Their interaction, though fleeting, encapsulates moments of turmoil and disarray, reflecting Louis's internal conflict and search for connection amidst personal crisis.

Mannequins

The Mannequins, located at the Mormon Visitor's Center, depict a pioneer family on their way to Salt Lake City. In a surreal moment, they animate and engage with Prior and Harper, symbolizing the intersection of faith and reality, and emphasizing the thematic exploration of history and belief.

Aleksii Antedilluvianovich Prelapsarianov

Aleksii Antedilluvianovich Prelapsarianov, celebrated as the "World's Oldest Living Bolshevik," delivers a stirring speech in Perestroika advocating for political transformation. His views challenge the Angels' resistance to change, embodying the conflict between tradition and progression.

Prior 1

Prior 1, a ghostly ancestor of Prior Walter from the thirteenth century, acts as a forebearer of the Angel's message. He draws parallels between Prior's illness and the epidemic that claimed his own life, representing a lineage of struggle and resilience within Prior's family history.

Prior 2

Prior 2, another spectral ancestor from seventeenth-century London, also announces the Angel's forthcoming presence to Prior. Like Prior 1, he succumbed to a historical plague, reflecting the recurring theme of illness and the endurance inherent in Prior Walter's lineage.

Woman in the South Bronx

The Woman in the South Bronx is a homeless individual encountered by Hannah upon her arrival in New York. Her erratic predictions about the future and her unstable demeanor serve as a commentary on societal decay and mental instability, encapsulating the chaotic social landscape explored within the play.