Town & Gown’s current play, August: Osage County, was written by Tracy Letts, who also wrote Bug and Killer Joe—weird vehicles that were later made into movies, as is happening now to August: Osage County. This play is full of tics, too, in the people and in their past associations, but the setting and situation are more conventional: the reunion of a large and complicated family. Letts is an actor—as was his father—as well as a writer—as is his mother. By the time he sat down to write August: Osage County, he was in firm command of his craft. Studying the lines he wrote, one is impressed over and over that he chooses precisely the right word for emphasis and economy. What you get are the insights of a skilled writer with the timing of a good actor. In other words, see it as it was written to be performed: live. This is one hell of a play that delves mercilessly into all the family types you have known at your own gatherings and ramps them up several notches.
Why not just wait and see the movie? Well, of course see it, but watching the play is like being there when the Great Wallenda walks across Tallulah Gorge on his tightrope, as opposed to watching him on film, which takes out a lot of the drama.
This play opens Friday, Apr. 12, so by the time you’re reading this, showtime is here, and the actors have been working non-stop, trying to get control of this epic production. From the vantage point of a rank newcomer, the task looks impossible to me, but the director and all the other actors have been through it many times before, so I’m trusting that they can pull it off. Watching them rehearse is like observing a painter working on a canvas: seeing art made right before your eyes, line by line.
The New York Times called August: Osage County “a turbocharged tragicomedy,” and that’s a pretty good description. Even though it’s long, it’s fast—and furious and funny. The fact that I am in the play makes me gulp when I say that this is going to be a fabulous theater experience, but, my small contribution aside, this is your chance to see “the first great American play of the century.” Allen Rowell directs, assisted by Adam Shirley and Carina McGeehin. The actors in this rare jewel about a bright and tormented Oklahoma academic family are Bryn Adamson, Mitch Maxey, Isabelle Germain, Emily Myers, Kelly Doyle-Mace, Heather Reed, Skip Hulett, Patrick Hooper, Asia Meana, Derek Adams, Rex Totty and, yes, my wife in reality and onstage: Gay Griggs McCommons. If you go to the theater, you recognize these names. If you don’t go often, you’re in for a whole new experience—but be warned: the language is very strong. You can dress up if you want to, but you don’t have to: attire is Athens-casual.
Watching this large and experienced cast mix it up nonstop will make you glad you got a ticket. To get one, see the info below. If you don’t want to plan ahead, just take your chances and show up a little early. I’ll see you there. No, actually, the lights will be in my eyes.
For tickets call 706-208-TOWN or go to www.townandgownplayers.org. The play opens this Friday, Apr. 12 at 8 p.m. in the Athens Community Theatre behind the Taylor-Grady House on Prince Ave. Performances are also Saturday, Apr. 13 at 8 p.m. and Sunday, Apr. 14 at 2 p.m. The next week, shows are at 8 p.m. on Thursday, Apr. 18 through Saturday, Apr. 20 and at 2 p.m. for the final show on Sunday, Apr. 21.
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