The Violent Side of Tracy Letts

The revival of Tracy Letts' 1991 Killer Joe opened last month at the Profiles Theatre (4147 North Broadway). Once again Letts' makes his adopted home of Chicago proud by producing work that proves he is by far one of the most dynamic playwrights of the late-20^th, early-21^st century.  Killer Joe tells the story of the Smith family, a greedy, malicious clan who plots to murder their estranged matriarch (to cash in on her insurance) but can't bring themselves to do the deed when push comes to shove. Enter "Killer Joe" Cooper, a full-time cop and part-time contract killer. Once he steps into their trailer and lives, their plan predictably spirals out of control.

I'm not going to tip-toe around the fact that I'm a big Tracy Letts' fan; however, this is not August: Osage County folks. Everything for a great Letts' show is here, including Letts' treatment of the themes of morality, spirituality, violence and family.  However, in Killer Joe, his earliest work, the ending is best described as... conventional?  As much as I root for him, you can't have a hit every time out.    

I normally enjoy checking out Profiles' productions.  They have a really interesting space and do some of the best environmental theatre in the city.  As gross as Letts' characters are (and by gross, I mean awesome), they're amplified further by cramming audience into the trailer with them.  And in these economic times, this story hits closer to home than it should.  In some ways, we're all a little closer to that trailer than we care to admit. 

The acting was fine but I believe it was lost amongst the technical choices of the production team.  The audience is warned with a small 5x7 card posted by the theatre entrance about gunfire in the show.  What they are not warned about is that blanks are used (in a space I deem WAY to close for the audience's comfort).  Because of that choice, I missed most of the final pivotal minutes of the acting. (I was too busy covering my ears from the gunfire.  In fact, I left there with my ears ringing.)  Yes, Letts' Killer Joe is a show about violence. And yes, that violence should be explored; however, there is a fine line between exploration and exploitation.  There had to be a way to address the production requirements in this space that didn't have to be so literal.

For more information on the production, check out www.profiletheatre.org.

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