August Osage County, by Tracy Letts and directed here by William Sanders, playing at Civic Theater (March 1-10), swept 2008 by winning the Pulitzer, the Tony and the Drama Desk awards. The script is contemporary and tightly woven together and deserved every award. It is a long show (a shade over 3 hours so note the 7pm start time) with two intermissions but it does not feel like it is that long. 
The show is often described as a black comedy and it fits the traditional definition well. Although there are many just plain funny lines, more than a few are the type that make you squirm in your seat while laughing because it hits too close to home.
Ever been to Oklahoma in August' Yes, folks,….. it can be "#$@&*" HOT in Oklahoma in August! Ever been to that horrific family event where an outside observer can see everything spiraling out of control but you can’t stop it' Check.
If the "#$@&*" bomb offends you, don’t go! If the idea of a dysfunctional family with incest, adultery, addiction, drug use, a family clawing and scratching at each other at every turn, offends you, don’t go. But if you want to experience a compelling night of theater and stellar performances, by all means GO! You will be worn out!!
The play revolves around the Weston family brought together after the disappearance of the family patriarch, Beverly Weston. The couple’s three adult daughters are called back to the family homestead, husbands or boyfriends in tow, to comfort their mother in her time of need. Of course, Mother is drug addicted and sharp tongued to the point of abuse to anyone in her sight. All three daughters exhibit signs of serious emotional damage and family issues of their own. The spiral of dysfunction is evident from the start in this play with a line from Beverly describing his marriage "My wife takes pills and I drink. That is the bargain we've struck"
The performances on opening night were very well done during this ensemble show. Becky Engborg, as Violet, showed us a woman both in control and out of control – this is not an easy contrast to display. I might have liked to see a touch more vulnerability so I would have liked her more than I did. As the 3 Weston sisters, Jan LaBellarte as the “I am in control now” Barbara, Gretchen Furst as the airhead Karen and Merce Tonne as the long suffering Ivy, provided incredible depth to their respective roles, causing feelings of sympathy and then dislike in the turn of a few words. Bill Joachim as Beverly, only seen in the opening scene, gave a wonderful performance of a man who has given up on life.
The supporting Aiken Family, beautifully played by Sue Sneeringer(Mattie Fae) Pat Kelly (Charlie) and Troy Brokenshire(Little Charles) were a fascinating tunnel into even more of the Weston family secrets. Tom Onuscho(Bill) and Meredith Lipson(Jean), as Barbara’s husband and daughter, were fascinating to watch as this added family dynamic crumbled before our eyes. Meggan Gomez as Johnna provided both the outside perspective to the dysfunctional group as well as perhaps the ties to a slightly more political side of the play. Rounding out the cast are the 2 non-family roles of Steve, lasciviously played by Kirk Lawrence and the calm, patient but also secret holding John Kuchar as the Sheriff.
The stunning set, designed by Jason Sherwood, and lighting by Will Morris added immensely to the enjoyment of the production. The hard working stage crew did a lot during the two intermissions to help show the passage of time – and clear the decks of damages!! Each area of the set was well defined and used every inch of the large Civic stage. I do wish I had been able to see more of the table dynamics in the dining room scenes.
There is quote from T.S. Eliot in the program that reads, “A play should give you something to think about”. This play is raw and realistic – just like life. There is no uplifting ending –just like life. This show gives you something to think about. And whether you rejoice in the sanity of your own family or cringe at the parallels to the Weston family, you will think!
For more information, please visit the Civic Theatre website at www.civictheatre.com.