Dramatic theater just doesn't get better than this: Tracy Letts' new play "August: Osage County" is an overwhelming, breathtaking, massively entertaining look at a seriously dysfunctional family in early 21st Century Oklahoma. When the patriarch of the Weston family vanishes, his cancer-stricken and drug-addled wife, three daughters, their various men and children, and the new Indian - sorry, Native American - housekeeper come together to sort things out. And hilarity - and I mean HILARITY - ensues.
"August" has been hailed by many critics as a great American masterpiece, a sure bet for the Pulitzer Prize, many Tony Awards, and a spot in the pantheon next to "Death of a Salesman" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night." Other critics, those lovable contrarians, have dismissed it as an empty, overhyped, noisy mess. Well, add Mr NYC to those who think it's a masterpiece.
At three and a half hours, the action flies by as scene neatly segues into scene, the characters evolve and reveal themselves, and the bit by bit the layers of the story create a rich, deep, and powerful experience. At the heart of the story is the conflict between Violet and Barbara: Deana Dunagan shines as Violet, the mother from hell who is at turns nasty and wise; Amy Morton is the oldest daughter Barbara who is trying to keep her hopeless family and failing marriage together; the rest of the cast ably supports the main stars and while you're sad for all of them, you're also sad when they go away.
This play is a jewel, the reason people love theater. "August" runs through April and, if you can go, you must.
"August" has been hailed by many critics as a great American masterpiece, a sure bet for the Pulitzer Prize, many Tony Awards, and a spot in the pantheon next to "Death of a Salesman" and "Long Day's Journey Into Night." Other critics, those lovable contrarians, have dismissed it as an empty, overhyped, noisy mess. Well, add Mr NYC to those who think it's a masterpiece.
At three and a half hours, the action flies by as scene neatly segues into scene, the characters evolve and reveal themselves, and the bit by bit the layers of the story create a rich, deep, and powerful experience. At the heart of the story is the conflict between Violet and Barbara: Deana Dunagan shines as Violet, the mother from hell who is at turns nasty and wise; Amy Morton is the oldest daughter Barbara who is trying to keep her hopeless family and failing marriage together; the rest of the cast ably supports the main stars and while you're sad for all of them, you're also sad when they go away.
This play is a jewel, the reason people love theater. "August" runs through April and, if you can go, you must.
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