August: Osage County (The SOB Revisit) – Main Stage, Sydney Theatre Company, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
**** (out of ****)Jet lag be damned.
Despite being on Aussie soil for only a week, the excellent troupe from Chicago’s
Steppenwolf Theatre is firing on each and every one their finely calibrated cylinders. That includes
extraordinary new ones they’ve picked up along their lengthy journey from their
Windy City home base to Sydney via
Broadway and
London.
While I’ve long since run out of superlatives to adequately describe
Tracy Letts’
August: Osage County, a magnificent modern American masterpiece if there ever was one, I’ve never seen it in better shape than I did Tuesday evening here in Sydney. With no trace of irony or hint of hyberbole whatsoever, Tuesday's opening night constituted the single best night I've ever spent in a theatre.
After having begun going their own ways immediately after the explosively comedic drama earned the Tony Award for Best Play in 2008, the cast reunited less than one month ago and only resumed live performances last week. But you’d never know it.
Just like close friends who are able to pick up where they last left off, these exceptional actors -- including the mindblowing
Deanna Dunagan as the drug-addled matriarch Violet Weston, the raucously funny
Rondi Reed as her sister Mattie Fae Aiken, the formidible
Amy Morton as Violet's take-charge daughter Barbara Fordham), along with
Mariann Mayberry (Karen Weston),
Sally Murphy (Ivy Weston),
Jeff Perry (Bill Fordham),
Kimberly Guerrero (Johnna Monevata) and
Troy West (Deon Gilbeau) -- succeed in building on the dysfunctional family they created over three years ago. In finding further depths in their relationships with one another, each is giving the performance of their lives.
The result is a breathtaking blast into the stratosphere. Buckle up, because it just may be best -- and bumpiest -- theatrical ride of your life. And a spine-tingling one at that.
For me, this unforgettable experience was well worth the trip to Sydney.
August: Osage County is an unmissable milestone in American theatre.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. Labels: Amy Morton, Anna D Shapiro, August Osage County, Deanna Dunagan, Opening Night, Play, Rondi Reed, Steppenwolf, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, Tracy Letts
August Down Under Over EasyThis evening,
Tracy Letts' Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning
August: Osage County may be opening for its
second time in Australia, but
this time it's doing so for the first time with most of its
original Steppenwolf (and
Broadway) cast and crew from Chicago.
The
entire production has been imported,
kit and
kaboodle, by
Sydney Theatre Company's Artistic Directors
Cate Blanchett and
Andrew Upton for its Main Stage.
While performances began on August 13, tonight marks this cast's
fourth opening night, after having first performed this modern masterpiece at
Steppenwolf's home in
Chicago,
on Broadway and
at London's
National Theatre.
Recreating their stunning Tony Award-winning turns Down Under are
Deanna Dunagan as Violet Weston and
Rondi Reed as her sister Mattie Fae Aiken, along with their original Steppenwolf castmates
Amy Morton (Tony nominated for her brilliant portrayal of Barbara Fordham),
Mariann Mayberry (Karen Weston),
Sally Murphy (Ivy Weston),
Jeff Perry (Bill Fordham),
Kimberly Guerrero (Johnna Monevata) and
Troy West (Deon Gilbeau).
Other casting includes
Molly Ranson (Jean Fordham) who was a Broadway replacement in the role of Jean Fordham, and three members of the London cast:
Chelcie Ross (Beverly Weston),
Paul Vincent O'Connor (Charlie Aiken) and
Gary Cole (Steve Heidebrecht). The only truly new cast member is
Gary Wilmes, who portrays Little Charles.
Once again, Tony Award-winning director
Anna D. Shapiro helms this inherently American tale, and as she so eloquently told the
Sydney Morning Herald yesterday, "Our company can do fraught standing on its head."
If you live anywhere near Sydney, make every effort to get tickets to see
August: Osage County. Why? Because unlike any other import from the United States, this represents contemporary American drama at its absolute best. You can't afford to miss it.
In fact, I simply couldn't resist coming back to Sydney myself. Indeed, this evening, I'll once again lose myself in Letts' epic work one last time .... at least with original castmembers.
This is
Steve On Broadway (SOB).
In keeping with the new Federal Trade Commission (FTC) regulations that unfairly discriminate against bloggers, who are now required by law to disclose when they have received anything of value they might write about, please note that I have received nothing of value in exchange for this post. Labels: Amy Morton, Anna D Shapiro, August Osage County, Deanna Dunagan, Opening Night, Play, Rondi Reed, Steppenwolf, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, Tracy Letts
August August AugustNearly one year ago,
I reported here that
Tracy Letts' august masterpiece
August: Osage County and most of its original
Steppenwolf (and
Broadway) cast and crew would be Australia-bound this August.
Now it's been confirmed that
Deanna Dunagan and
Rondi Reed will reprise their magnificent Tony-winning turns as Violet Weston and Mattie Fae Aiken, respectively, one more time at the
Sydney Theatre Company's Main Stage.
Once again, they'll be joined by original Steppenwolf castmates
Amy Morton (Tony nominated for her brilliant portrayal of Barbara Fordham),
Mariann Mayberry (Karen Weston),
Sally Murphy (Ivy Weston),
Jeff Perry (Bill Fordham),
Kimberly Guerrero (Johnna Monevata) and
Troy West (Deon Gilbeau).
Other casting includes
Molly Ranson (Jean Fordham) who was a Broadway replacement in the role of Jean Fordham, and three members of the London cast:
Chelcie Ross (Beverly Weston),
Paul Vincent O'Connor (Charlie Aiken) and
Gary Cole (Steve Heidebrecht). As Little Charles, only
Gary Wilmes is completely new to the cast.
Wilmes replaces
Ian Barford, husband of
August: Osage County director
Anna D. Shapiro. Not only will Barford will tend to his fatherly duties back home while Shapiro once again shapes the show in Sydney, but Steppenwolf audiences will see him on their boards again this September in
Detroit alongside
Laurie Metcalf.
August: Osage County begins performances at the
Sydney Theatre Company August 13 with previews on August 14 and 16. The play opens Down Under on August 17 and performances are currently scheduled through September 25.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Amy Morton, Anna D Shapiro, August Osage County, Broadway, Chicago, Deanna Dunagan, London, Rondi Reed, Steppenwolf, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, Tracy Letts
Sydney Theatre Company Formally Announces August: Osage County For August 2010
American theatre lovers! You
heard it here first.
Way back in July, I first reported that
the original August: Osage County would be trekking Down Under to Sydney, Australia. Now, the
Sydney Theatre Company (STC) has made it truly official.
STC Artistic Directors
Cate Blanchett and
Andrew Upton have
now said:
This monster of a production from Steppenwolf cleaned up at last year’s Tony Awards, taking five gongs including Best Play, Best Direction of a Play, Best Leading Actress and Best Featured Actress. This is a unique opportunity to see the legendary American ensemble deliver what might well be the next American classic.
While casting is yet to be announced (more on that in a moment), the original stateside creative team will be Australia bound. The limited run is now slated to begin previews on August 13, 2010, with an opening scheduled for August 17.
August: Osage County will run through September 25, 2010.
As for the cast, in addition to the above notes from Blanchett and Upton, the official
STC Web site adds that this production will be "Featuring Steppenwolf ensemble members from the Chicago and Broadway companies." Expect to see most of the familiar names you know and love recreating their roles in Sydney.
I'll reiterate my question from nearly four months ago: Anyone game for going Down Under?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Andrew Upton, August Osage County, Cate Blanchett, Play, Steppenwolf, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, Transfer
More August Down Under With American Original
When
August: Osage County posted its closing notice for Broadway a couple weeks back, those prone to parsing statements may have noted
I concluded my wrap-up saying:
But something tells me that you haven't heard the last of the original cast of August: Osage County. And with that, I'll just say so long for now.
Now I can reveal what I had only hinted at.
According to the
Tuesday, July 7 issue of The Age:
The biggest-selling stage show so far this year, the Melbourne Theatre Company's production of hit August: Osage County will be staged in Sydney next year. But audiences will not get to see one of the grande dames of Australian theatre, Robyn Nevin, in one of her most defining roles.
Instead, the Sydney Theatre Company is importing the original production by Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company that has appeared in New York and London. It will be presented in the 900-seat Sydney Theatre and follows on from the importation of Alan Bennett's The History Boys by London's National Theatre in 2006.
It was the Steppenwolf production that Tracy Letts' play that won five Tony Awards in New York.
So, now you know more about this ever-evolving story that began just over two years ago last month in Chicago.
Anyone game for going Down Under?
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: August Osage County, Australia, Chicago, First Word On New Show, Play, Sydney, Sydney Theatre Company, Tracy Letts
Billy Elliot - The Musical (The SOB Revisit) - Capitol Theatre, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
**1/2 (out of ****)I can't really explain it,
I haven't got the words.
It's a feeling that you can't control
I suppose it's like forgetting just how good
Billy Elliot - The Musical was in London,
not losing who you are within this inertia
And at the same time something like intermission makes you whole
It's like that there's a music playing in your ear
And I'm listening, and I'm listening and then I disappear from lack of energy.
And then I feel a change
Like a jetlag deep inside
Something boring me closing my eyes, impossible to hide
And suddenly I'm dozing, dozing like five bulls
Like no electricity, no electricity
Lack of sparks inside of me
And I'm free, I'm free when the curtain finally falls.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Billy Elliot The Musical, Musical, Sydney, The SOB Revisit
Getting My Theatre OnEver go through withdrawals when you don't take in your favorite activities? Such is the case whenever I go too long without two essential passions: travel and theatre.
Fortunately, this week and next, I'm most certainly taking care of the first by virtue of my journey to Australia. This island nation/continent certainly ranks among my personal favorite places to visit, not only because of its sheer natural beauty, but especially because of its amazing people.
I even had a funny anti-American moment two days ago when a small group of U.S. youth, which had clearly gathered here for
World Youth Day, was embarrassing itself with an impromptu dance on the street. A woman standing next to me at the street corner said derisively, "Must be an American thing," to which I replied, "Oh trust me, we're not laying claim to
that." When she realized I was a Yank, the two of us had a great laugh. No worries, mate, we get that we're no longer admired quite the way we used to be, but more and more of us are in on the joke, too.
As for that other passion desperately in need of a fix, last evening, I had a chance to take in the Sydney production of
Billy Elliot - The Musical at the stunningly over-the-top Capitol Theatre. After seeing it in London nearly three years ago, I was glad to be able to see a performance again prior to it opening in New York, particularly since this mounting includes the immensely talented Genevieve Lemon as Mrs. Wilkinson. She did not disappoint.
While I'll have my SOB Revisit sometime relatively soon, let's just say that this incarnation that's already been around Sydney since December, and will be mounted soon in Melbourne, didn't exactly "Shine, shine, shine" or seem filled with quite the requisite amount of "Electricity" I experienced in London. But it was entertaining, nonetheless, and gave me an opportunity to get my theatre on.
William Shakespeare's
As You Like It introduced the phrase, "All the world's a stage." I realize how extremely fortunate I am to experience that in every sense of the world.
Post script: If you find no further postings through the rest of this week, it's because I'll be driving along the Australian coast for the next three days en route to Melbourne.
This is Steve On Broadway (SOB).
Labels: Australia, Billy Elliot The Musical, Genevieve Lemon, Sydney, Travels
