Final answer:
The character who thinks he is the angel Gabriel appears in Tony Kushner's play 'Angels in America'. The play deals with themes of religion, identity, and the AIDS crisis in the 1980s, and it faced controversy particularly concerning its portrayal of nudity, leading to a legal battle over free speech.
Step-by-step explanation:
Character Believing He is the Angel Gabriel in Tony Kushner's Play
The character who mistakenly believes he is the angel Gabriel appears in Tony Kushner's two-part play Angels in America. This character is part of a narrative set against the backdrop of the AIDS crisis in the 1980s New York City. Angels in America is renowned for its complex portrayal of characters grappling with personal, political, and spiritual dilemmas.
One of the main characters, Prior, is abandoned by his lover when he is diagnosed with AIDS. He experiences visions where he believes he is visited by angels, including the angel Gabriel. This is significant as it adds a layer of religious and supernatural elements to the play. Meanwhile, another character, Joe Pitt, a closeted gay Mormon and Republican political strategist, deals with his own inner conflicts, providing a multilayered experience of angst and identity.
Despite challenges and controversies, such as the response to the proposed nudity in a North Carolina production and the ensuing legal battles concerning censorship and free speech, Angels in America remains a powerful and celebrated work in contemporary theater.