August: Osage County 2007 - Articles Page 1.8

Original cast members Kimberly Guerrero, Sally Murphy, Troy West and Mariann Mayberry will be returning to their roles direct from their recent smash-hit limited engagement in London. And, to top things off, Tony winner Elizabeth Ashley joins the cast in the role of 'Mattie Fae'. February 3rd, 2009 will also be a very special day at the Music Box Theatre because August: Osage County be celebrating its 500th performance (that's a lot of drugs, fights, fish and smashed plates!)

Broadway In Chicago is thrilled to announce the Chicago engagement of August: Osage County, the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play that tells the bitingly funny and sensationally entertaining tale of the Weston family of Pawhuska, Oklahoma. Academy Award-winning actress Estelle Parsons will star as the family matriarch, Violet Weston. August: Osage County comes to Chicago's Ford Center for the Performing Arts, Oriental Theatre for a limited two-week engagement February 2 - 14, 2010. Written by 2008 Pulitzer Prize-winner Tracy Letts (Superior Donuts, Man From Nebraska, Killer Joe, Bug), this grand and gripping new play tells the story of the Westons, a large extended clan that comes together at their rural Oklahoma homestead after the alcoholic patriarch disappears. Forced to confront unspoken truths and astonishing secrets, the family must also contend with matriarch Violet, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman at the center of the storm. Directed by 2008 Tony Award-winner Anna D. Shapiro, August: Osage County is a rare theatrical event: a large-scale work filled with 13 unforgettable characters, a powerful tragicomedy told with unflinching honesty and the unforgettable breakthrough of a major American playwright. August: Osage County premiered and was produced at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago in 2007. 'Steppenwolf is delighted that August: Osage County has a new life in Chicago,' comments Steppenwolf Artistic Director Martha Lavey. 'Steppenwolf audiences were the first to see this exciting play written by our ensemble member Tracy Letts, under the direction of fellow ensemble member Anna Shapiro, and we're thrilled that it will be playing in Chicago again after its successful runs on Broadway and at the National Theatre of London,' Lavey said.

August: Osage County, the 2008 Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning play that tells the bitingly funny and sensationally entertaining tale of the Weston family of Pawhuska, Oklahoma, starring Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons in the role of the family matriarch, Violet, will launch its national tour, in Denver, CO on July 24th, 2009. Following two weeks at Denver's Ellie Caukins Opera House (7/24-8/8), the show will play San Francisco's Curran Theatre from August 11 - September 6, 2009. Subsequent engagements will be announced shortly. Ms. Parsons is currently appearing in the show on Broadway where The New York Times recently raved, 'Estelle Parsons gives a superb performance...sends chills down your spine. It may prove to be a crowning moment in an illustrious career.' Ms. Parsons joined the company in June, 2008. Estelle Parsons first foray into the business began when she was hired by 'The Today Show,' first as a production assistant, then staff writer, which eventually led her to become the first female television network political news reporter. Estelle began acting and appeared in her first stage performance on Broadway in Happy Hunting. Since then, Estelle has gone on to either star in or direct over 25 productions. Most notably, she has been nominated for the Tony Award for her performances in The Seven Descents of Myrtle, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, Miss Margarida's Way and Mornings at Seven.

August: Osage County, winner of five 2008 Tony Awards as well as the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, is proud to welcome Tony Award winner, ELIZABETH ASHLEY who joins the cast beginning Tuesday, February 3, 2009 at 7:00 pm. ASHLEY, celebrating her fifth decade on Broadway, will play the role of 'Mattie Fae Aiken.'

Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play is proud to welcome Guy Boyd in the role of Charlie Akien. Boyd will take over from Robert Foxworth on December 16th.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play - is proud to welcome Two time Tony Award-winner John Cullum (Urinetown, Shenandoah, On the Twentieth Century) as family patriarch Beverly Weston, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award nominee Amy Warren (Adding Machine) as youngest daughter Karen Weston, and Broadway newcomer Samantha Ross as housekeeper Johnna Monevata.

Daily Variety reports that The Weinstein Co. has acquired worldwide film rights to the Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning play 'August: Osage County' and will produce a feature adaptation. TWC co-chairman Harvey Weinstein will join Jean Doumanian and Steve Traxler as producers of the pic, with playwright Tracy Letts doing the adaptation.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tony, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics' Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play - is proud to welcome Two time Tony Award-winner John Cullum (Urinetown, Shenandoah, On the Twentieth Century) as family patriarch Beverly Weston, Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Lortel Award nominee Amy Warren (Adding Machine) as youngest daughter Karen Weston, and Broadway newcomer Samantha Ross as housekeeper Johnna Monevata.

Kimberly Guerrero has been playing Broadway's most popular Native American character for almost a year now as Johnna, the new housekeeper to the Weston family, in August: Osage County.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Tony, Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, is proud to welcome Tony Award-nominee Johanna Day, in the role of 'Barbara Fordham,' and Michael Milligan, in the role of 'Little Charles' to the Broadway company tonight Tuesday, October 14th.

One of today's hottest young actresses transcending both stage and screen is Madeleine Martin who began her professional theater career at 7 years old when she appeared in the Broadway National Tour of The Sound of Music with Richard Chamberlain. She appeared on Broadway in the title role A Day In the Death of Joe Egg at the age of 10 to much acclaim and allowing her to become the youngest presenter in history at the 2003 Tony Awards. BroadwayWorld took its cameras backstage for a fast chat with this sweet and charming performer to ask her questions about her roles on Broadway and in SHOWTIME's 'Californication' and being a child performer in the industry.

Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Tony, Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, is proud to welcome Tony Award-nominee Johanna Day, in the role of 'Barbara Fordham,' and Michael Milligan, in the role of 'Little Charles' to the Broadway company on Tuesday, October 14th.

August: Osage County, which recently celebrated it's 300th performance on August 14, 2008 is adding a new star to the mix for 5 days only. The New York Times reports that 2 time Tony-winner (Shenandoah and On the Twentieth Century), John Cullum will step in to play the role of Beverly Weston from September 16 to September 21 while Michael McGwire is on vacation.

The American Theatre Wing and XM Satellite Radio proudly present an interview with Oscar-Winning Actress Estelle Parsons, on their weekly theatrical interview show, 'Downstage Center,' on XM's On Broadway (XM Channel 28).

Steppenwolf Theatre Company has announced casting for the London engagement of its Pulitzer and Tony Award-winning American play August: Osage County by ensemble member Tracy Letts (Tony Award - Best Play), directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro (Tony Award - Best Director), playing an eight-week engagement at the National Theatre (Lyttelton Theatre) November 21, 2008 - January 21, 2009.

In June, Molly Regan replaced Rondi Reed as August: Osage County's new Mattie Fae. It's not an easy feat for an actor to come into an ensemble in the middle of a run. Add into that replacing a lead actress in the year's Pulitzer, Tony AND Drama Desk winning play two days after that actress won a Tony for her performance. BroadwayWorld.com got a chance to catch up with her and chat about all things August.

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has honored August: Osage County with a Mayor's Proclamation in honor of the show's 300th performance and continued success, stating that August: Osage County has 'yielded tremendous cultural and economic benefits for' New York City and has 'reaffirmed New York's proud heritage of welcoming the world's boldest, most powerful works of art.'

Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg has honored August: Osage County with a Mayor's Proclamation in honor of the show's 300th performance and continued success, stating that August: Osage County has 'yielded tremendous cultural and economic benefits for' New York City and has 'reaffirmed New York's proud heritage of welcoming the world's boldest, most powerful works of art.'

Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, winner of five Tony Awards including Best Play, as well as the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards will visit The NASDAQ Stock Market on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at the NASDAQ MarketSite, 4 Times Square. Cast members from the show will ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell at 9:30 a.m. EDT.

Tracy Letts' August: Osage County, winner of five Tony Awards including Best Play, as well as the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards will visit The NASDAQ Stock Market on Thursday, July 3, 2008 at the NASDAQ MarketSite, 4 Times Square. Cast members from the show will ring the NASDAQ Stock Market Opening Bell at 9:30 a.m. EDT.