August: Osage County

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August: Osage County
Original Broadway Windowcard
Written by	Tracy Letts
Characters	Beverly Weston Violet Weston Barbara Weston Ivy Weston Karen Weston Bill Fordham Jean Fordham>br/>Steve Heidebrecht Mattie Fae Aiken Charlie Aiken Little Charles Johnna Monevata Sheriff Deon Gilbeau
Date of premiere	June 28th, 2007 (Original Chicago Production) December 4th(Broadway Production)
Original language	English
Subject	After the patriarch of a family dies, a family is forced to confront their past and present.
Genre	drama
Setting	A large country home outside Pawhuska, Oklahoma
[augustonbroadway.com Official site]
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August: Osage County is an original darkly comedic play by Tracy Letts, which won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. The original Steppenwolf production opened in Chicago, Illinois on June 28th, 2007 and ran through August 26, 2007 at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company[1] The Broadway production opened at the Imperial Theater on December 4th, 2007 and moved to the Music Box Theatre on April 29th, 2008. A National Tour has been announced by the official website, and will begin in San Francisco, California in August 2009.

The play is in three acts and runs for about 3 hours 20 minutes including intermissions. During this time, August: Osage County deals with such issues as: drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide, death, family dysfunction, sexual harassment, aging, generational change, racism, incest, infidelity, and ultimately love. Love in a family, love between two people, and love lost.

Both the Steppenwolf and Broadway productions were directed by Anna D. Shapiro, featured scenic design by Todd Rosenthal, costume design by Ana Kuzmanic, lighting design by Ann G. Wrightson, sound design by Richard Woodbury, original music by David Singer, dramaturgy by Edward Sobel, dialect coaching by Cecille O'Reilly, and fight choreography by Charles Coyl. Both productions were stage managed by Deb Styer.^[1]

It won the 2007-2008 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play, and was named the best play of 2007 by both Time Magazine and Entertainment Weekly. On May 13, 2008, the show received 7 Tony Award nominations, more than any other play that year.

A film version is also in beginning negotiations.

Contents 1 Production History 2 Characters 3 Subsequent Productions 3.1 National Tour 4 Original Chicago Cast 5 Original Broadway Cast 6 National Tour Cast 7 Replacement History 7.1 Pre-Broadway replacement History 7.2 Broadway Replacement History 8 Awards and nominations 8.1 Broadway Production 8.2 Original Chicago Production 9 Film Version 10 References 11 External links

[edit] Production History

Produced by the Steppenwolf Theatre Company, the show originally ran at the Steppenwolf Theater in Chicago in the Downstairs Theatre. The show received rave reviews from various newspapers, including the New York Times.^[2]

The Broadway production began previews on October 30th, 2007 at the Imperial Theatre only days before the 2007 Broadway stagehand strike on November 10th which temporarily closed most shows on Broadway. The strike continued through the official opening date of November 20th, forcing the show to re-schedule its opening for December 4th. The production, was originally slated to close on February 17th, 2008 but after the strike, extended for three weeks to March 9th. A later extension was announced on January 14th, 2008 to April 13th, 2008. [2]

On February 18th, 2008 the production announced that it was moving to the Music Box Theatre April 29th, 2008 after closing at the Imperial Theatre April 20th, 2008. The show changes venue because of a need to renovate the Imperial Theatre for the upcoming production of Billy Elliot The Musical which begins previews there October 1, 2008 and offically opens November 13th. Upon the change of venue, the production also changes its status as a limited engagement to an open ended run.[3] On March 27th playbill.com published an article on how the show will move from the Imperial to the Music Box.

On February 22, 2008, Dennis Letts, father of Tracy Letts who originated the role of Beverly Weston both in Chicago and on Broadway, and was playing the role on Broadway at the time, died of lung cancer.^[3] He was 73 years old. Despite his illness, Letts had continued to perform on stage for eight shows a week until just a few days before his death.^{[3] [4]}

On February 27, 2008 it was announced that Michael McGuire would replace the late Letts in the role of Beverly Weston. ^[5]

[edit] Characters

• Beverly Weston- The Father and Patriarch of the Weston family, aged 69. A former poet and alcoholic, his mysterious disappearance one evening and death is the reason for the family's reunion. The reasons for his alleged suicide are a major plot point that bring some of the family's dark past painfully back into the light.
• Violet Weston- The Mother and Matriarch of the Weston family, aged 65. She is addicted to several prescription drugs, mostly downers and narcotics. After Beverly's funeral, the family's focus shifts to keeping her clean. Despite her drug-induced episodes, she is sharp-tongued and shrewd: she is aware of the family's many secrets and not hesitant to reveal them.
• Barbara Fordham- The oldest daughter of the Weston Family, age 46. Mother of Jean and wife of Bill, though they are currently separated. She is a college professor in Boulder, Colorado. She wants to save her marriage, but has the intense need to control everything around her as it falls apart.
• Ivy Weston- The middle daughter of the Weston family, age 44. Known as "Mom's favorite," though Violet constantly tells her she's plain and needs a man. She is having a secret affair with her cousin Little Charles. The only daughter to stay in Oklahoma, she teaches at the local college.
• Karen Weston The youngest daughter in the Weston family, age 40. She is newly engaged to Steve, whom she considers the "perfect man," and lives with him in Florida, planning to marry him soon.
• Bill Fordham Barbara's estranged husband and Jean's father, age 49. A college professor who is sleeping with one of his students, but wants to be there for his family.
• Jean Fordham Bill and Barbara's 14-year-old daughter. She smokes pot and cigarettes, is a vegetarian, loves old movies, and is bitter about her parents' split.
• Steve Heidebrecht Karen's fiancé, age 50. A businessman in Florida, and not the "perfect man" that Karen calls him. He eventually sexually harasses Jean after they smoke a joint together one night.
• Mattie Fae Aiken- Violet's sister, Charlie's wife and Little Charles' mother, age 57. Just as jaded as her sister, Mattie Fae belittles her husband and son. Eventually she reveals the major plot point that Beverly, not Charlie, is the real father of Little Charles.
• Charlie Aiken Husband of Mattie and the (presumed) father of Little Charles, age 60. Charlie, a genial man, was a lifelong friend of Beverly. He struggles to get Mattie Fae to respect Little Charles.
• Little Charles-Son of Mattie and Beverly, 37 years old--but, like everyone else, he believes Charlie is his father. His mother calls him a "screw-up," which may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He is having an affair with his cousin Ivy, and the couple plans to secretly move to New York together.
• Johnna Monevata A Cheyenne Indian woman, age 26, whom Beverly hires as a live-in housekeeper shortly before he disappears. Violet is prejudiced against her, but she wins over the other family members with her cooking skills, hard work, and empathy.
• Sheriff Deon Gilbeau A high-school classmate and former boyfriend of Barbara's, age 47, who brings the news to the family about the investigation of Beverly's disappearance.

[edit] Subsequent Productions

[edit] National Tour

A National Tour of August: Osage County has been announced for months on the production's website, but the first details about the tour emerged on June 11th, 2008. The tour will kick off August 11th- September 9th, 2009 at San Francisco's Curran Theatre. More tour dates will be announced shortly, as will casting. [4]

[edit] Original Chicago Cast

• Ian Barford* -- Little Charles
• Deanna Dunagan -- Violet Weston
• Kimberly Guerrero -- Johnna Monevata
• Francis Guinan* -- Charlie Aiken
• Rick Snyder* -- Steve Heidebrecht
• Dennis Letts -- Beverly Weston
• Fawn Johnstin -- Jean Fordham
• Mariann Mayberry* -- Karen Weston
• Amy Morton* -- Barbara Fordham
• Sally Murphy* -- Ivy Weston
• Jeff Perry* -- Bill Fordham
• Rondi Reed* -- Mattie Fae Aiken
• Troy West -- Sheriff Deon Gilbeau

(*) Steppenwolf Ensemble Members

[edit] Original Broadway Cast

• Ian Barford* -- Little Charles
• Deanna Dunagan -- Violet Weston
• Kimberly Guerrero -- Johnna Monevata
• Francis Guinan* -- Charlie Aiken
• Brian Kerwin -- Steve Heidebrecht
• Dennis Letts -- Beverly Weston
• Madeleine Martin -- Jean Fordham
• Mariann Mayberry* -- Karen Weston
• Amy Morton* -- Barbara Fordham
• Sally Murphy* -- Ivy Weston
• Jeff Perry* -- Bill Fordham
• Rondi Reed* -- Mattie Fae Aiken
• Troy West -- Sheriff Deon Gilbeau
• Munson Hicks -- u/s Charles, Beverly
• Susane Marley -- u/s Violet, Mattie Fae
• Jay Patterson -- u/s Steve, Bill, Sherriff
• Dee Pelletier -- u/s Barbara, Karen, Ivy
• Molly Ranson -- u/s Jean
• Aaron Serotsky -- u/s Little Charles, Sherriff
• Kristina Valada-Viars -- u/s Johnna

(*) Steppenwolf Ensemble Member

[edit] National Tour Cast

Soon to be announced.

• -- Little Charles
• -- Violet Weston
• -- Johnna Monevata
• -- Charlie Aiken
• -- Steve Heidebrecht
• -- Beverly Weston
• -- Jean Fordham
• -- Karen Weston
• -- Barbara Fordham
• -- Ivy Weston
• -- Bill Fordham
• -- Mattie Fae Aiken
• -- Sheriff Deon Gilbeau
• -- u/s Charles, Beverly
• -- u/s Violet, Mattie Fae
• -- u/s Steve, Bill, Sherriff
• -- u/s Barbara, Karen, Ivy
• -- u/s Jean
• -- u/s Little Charles, Sherriff
• -- u/s Johnna

[edit] Replacement History

[edit] Pre-Broadway replacement History

• These replacements occurred prior to the Broadway opening, replacing Original Chicago cast members.

Madeleine Martin -- Jean Fordham (Replacing Fawn Johnstin)

Brian Kerwin -- Steve Heidebrecht (Replacing Rick Snyder)

[edit] Broadway Replacement History

• These replacements occurred after the production opened on Broadway.

Michael McGuire -- Beverly Weston (Replacing Dennis Letts February 2008.)

Molly Ranson -- Jean Fordham (Replacing Madeleine Martin April 2008.)

Jim True-Frost -- Little Charles (Replacing Ian Barford June 17th, 2008.)[5]

Robert Foxworth -- Chrarlie Aiken (Replacing Francis Guinan June 17th, 2008.) [6]

Frank Wood -- Bill Fordham (Replacing Jeff Perry June 17th, 2008.) [7]

Estelle Parsons -- Violet Weston (Replacing Deanna Dunagan June 17th, 2008.) [8]

Molly Regan -- Mattie Fae Aiken (Replacing Rondi Reed June 17th, 2008.)

[edit] Awards and nominations

[edit] Broadway Production

• 2008 Tony Awards (7 nominations)
  • Best Play
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Deanna Dunagan)
  • Best Performance by a Leading Actress in a Play (Amy Morton)
  • Best Performance by a Featured Actress in a Play (Rondi Reed)
  • Best Direction of a Play (Anna D. Shapiro)
  • Best Scenic Design of a Play (Todd Rosenthal)
  • Best Lighting Design of a Play (Ann G. Wrightson)

• 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama (Won)

• 2007-2008 New York Drama Critics' Circle Award for Best Play (Won)

• 2008 Drama Desk Awards (7 Nominations)
  • Outstanding Play (Won)
  • Outstanding Actress in a Play (Deanna Dunagan) (Won)
  • Outstanding Actress in a Play (Amy Morton)
  • Outstanding Featured Actor in a Play (Jeff Perry)
  • Outstanding Featured Actress in a Play (Rondi Reed)
  • Outstanding Direction of a Play (Anna D. Shapiro) (Won)
  • Outstanding Costume Design (Ana Kuzmanic)

• 2008 Outer Critics Circle Awards(3 nominations, 3wins.)
  • Outstanding New Broadway Play (won)
  • Outstanding Director of a Play (Anna D. Shapiro) (won)
  • Outstanding Actress in a Play (Deanna Dunagan) (won)

• 2008 Drama League Award(3 Nominations, 1 win)
  • Distinguished Production of a Play (won)
  • Distinguished Performance Award (Deanna Dunagan)
  • Distinguished Performance Award (Amy Morton)

[edit] Original Chicago Production

• 2007 Jeff Awards (Joseph Jefferson Awards) (8 nominations, 6 wins.)
  • Best Play (Won)
  • Best Ensemble Cast (won)
  • Best New Work (won)
  • Best Director (Anna D. Shapiro) (won)
  • Best Principal Actress (Deanna Dunagan) (won)
  • Scenic Design (Todd Rosenthal) (won)
  • Best Principal Actress (Amy Morton)
  • Cameo Performance (Dennis Letts)

[edit] Film Version

A rumored film version of the play is said to be in talks with The Weinstein Company[9] and producer Jean Doumanian. [10]

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Official Website
• Official Steppenwolf Website
• Official Shubert Organization's Website for The Imperial Theatre
• Official Shubert Organization's Website for The Music Box Theatre
• Dramatists Play Service Acting Edition

Preceded by Rabbit Hole by David Lindsay-Abaire

Pulitzer Prize for Drama 2008

Succeeded by Incumbent