AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY Begins at Alumnae Theatre Today

Alumnae Theatre wraps up its 2015/16 season on the MainStage Theatre the darkly comedic AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY by Tracey Letts, directed by Victoria Shepherd, beginning today, April 8 through April 23, 2016. When the family patriarch vanishes, the Westons return to rural Oklahoma to care for their afflicted, manipulative mother. Winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Tracy Letts' darkly comic drama AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY is a harrowing epic that puts the "fun" in "dysfunctional".

Director Victoria Shepherd has gathered a talented ensemble cast for this character-driven play featuring: Kathleen Jackson Allamby, Andrew Batten, Neil Cameron, Rob Candy, Paul Cotton, Marie Carriere Gleason*, Thomas Gough, Pearl Ho, Melinda Jordan, Andrea Lyons, Carol McLennan, Kelly-Marie Murtha, and Chris Peterson (*Appearing by permission of Canadian Actors' Equity Association).

"I was drawn to August: Osage County for its remarkably complex and realistic depictions of women - mothers, daughters, wives, sisters and caregivers," says Shepherd. "The intensity of these relationships and the startling humour that Letts provides in his no-holds-barred play have given us a fertile ground for creation. Juxtaposed with great compassion, these characters provide a rare opportunity for the cast to courageously explore, and for me as a director, the challenge of delicately balancing humour and rage with relatable humanity."

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY also highlights the talents of a stellar design and artistic team that includes: Alexis Chubb (Set Design); Jamie Sample (Lighting Design); John Stuart Campbell (Music & Sound Design); Peter DeFreitas, Trish Worrall, Toni Hanson (Costume Design); Razie Brownstone (Properties); Ryan Armstrong (Fight Choreography); and Barbara Larose and Ellen Green (producers).

Special event shows during the run include a one hour presentation/discussion entitled "Designing AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY" at 12pm on Sunday April 10, 2016. This will be an opportunity to meet the designers and director and hear all about how the design elements were created. There will be an Audience Talk Back after the matinee on Sunday April 17, 2016. This will be an opportunity to talk with the director and cast of the production about the production and their process.

IF YOU GO:

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY @ The Alumnae Theatre Mainstage

70 Berkeley Street (at Adelaide)

April 8-23, 2016 (Wednesday-Saturday @8PM, Sunday @2PM)

Tickets: Wednesdays 2-for-1, Thurs-Sat $20 @ door, Sunday PWYC

Advance Tickets available online at www.alumnaetheatre.com, call 416-364-4170 (press 1) or email reservations@alumnaetheatre.com.

The box office opens one hour before the show for cash purchases. The Alumnae box office does not accept credit/debit at the door.