Bug (play)

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This article is about the play. For the film based on the play, see Bug (2007 film). For other uses, see Bug (disambiguation).
Bug
Written by Tracy Letts
Characters Peter Evans
Agnes White
Jerry Goss
Dr. Sweet
R.C.
pizza guy
Date of premiere Sept. 20, 1996 (UK)
1996 (USA)
Original language English
Genre play
Setting Oklahoma, USA
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Bug is a play by American playwright Tracy Letts.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Most of the action takes place in a seedy motel room. The story tells about cocktail waitress Agnes, her violent ex-con ex-husband Jerry Goss whom she is hiding from, her lesbian biker friend R.C. who introduces her to (possible AWOL Gulf War veteran) Peter. She gets involved with Peter, who begins to rant about the war in Iraq, UFOs, the Oklahoma City bombings, cult suicides, and then secret government experiment on soldiers. The play deals with the issues of love, paranoia, and government conspiracy, and contains violence and nudity.

[edit] Production history

[edit] London premiere

The play originally premiered at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill, London, England on September 20, 1996.[1] The rehearsals were at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.[2]

[edit] American premieres

Following its London run, the play made its U.S. debut at Ithaca, New York, followed by the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C.

The play's Chicago Premiere was at A Red Orchid Theatre, where the play first rehearsed prior to its world premiere in London. [2]

  • Opening Date: August 20, 2001
  • Closing Date: October 28, 2001
  • Director: Dexter Bullard
  • Kate Buddeke - Agnes
  • Michael Shannon - Peter
  • Guy Van Swearingen - Jerry
  • Robin Witt - R.C.
  • Troy West - Dr. Sweet

[edit] Off-Broadway

Amanda Plummer resigned from the Off-Broadway premiere 24 hours before its February 21 start date.[4] A notice in the theater box office warned that the show contained nudity, violence and cigarette smoking.[5]

[edit] Awards

  • 2003-2004 Obie Award winner: Outstanding Performance - The acting company of Bug - Shannon Cochran, Michael Shannon, Michael Cullen, Amy Landecker, Reed Birney
  • 2003-2004 Obie Award winner: Outstanding Design team - The design team of Bug - Lauren Helpern (sets), Tyler Micoleau (lights), Brian Ronan (sound), Kim Gill (costumes), Faye Armon (props)
  • 2004 Theatre World Award winner: Shannon Cochran
  • 2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Play - Shannon Cochran
  • 2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Director of a Play - Dexter Bullard
  • 2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Sound Designer - Brian Ronan [6]
  • 2004 Lucille Lortel Award winner: Outstanding Play
  • 2004 Lucille Lortel Award winner: Outstanding DIrector, Dexter Bullard
  • 2004 Lucille Lortel Award winner: Outstanding Lighting Design, Tyler Micoleau
  • 2004 Lucille Lortel Award winner: Outstanding Sound Design, Brian Ronan

[edit] Film

Main article: Bug (2007 film)

A film version of the play was released in 2007 from Lionsgate. It was directed by William Friedkin, and starred Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr and Michael Shannon. Friedkin contacted Tracy Letts after having seen the play, and they did a screenplay of it. Friedkin described the film as "the most intense piece of work I've ever done".[7] Michael Shannon played the part on stage, but Lionsgate wanted to have a "bigger name" in the film, however Friedkin was determined to have Shannon in the film.

[edit] Footnotes

  1. ^ Financial Times: "Bug, Gate Theatre, London W11, Opened 20 September, 1996" (review by Ian Shuttleworth)
  2. ^ a b PerformInk.com: "Bug, Killer Joe's Dysfunctional Relation, Makes its Midwest Debut at A Red Orchid", by Lucia Mauro
  3. ^ Talkingbroadway.com Bug (review by Matthew Murray)
  4. ^ About: Theater (Feb. 24, 2004): "Bug Out", by Maria Knapp
  5. ^ Newyorkcool.com: Bug (review by Wendy R. Williams)
  6. ^ lortel.org
  7. ^ National Public Radio

[edit] See also

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Obie Award for plays
Obie Award recipients · Musical theatre · Broadway theatre · Off Broadway · Off-Off-Broadway · West End theatre
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