August: Osage County recoups its initial $2,560,000 investment
The Steppenwolf Theatre Company's production of Tracy Letts' comic-drama August: Osage County, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, has recouped its initial $2,560,000 investment.
August: Osage County transferred to the Music Box Theatre on 29 Apr 2008, from the Imperial Theatre. The show played its final performance at the Imperial Theatre on 20 Apr 2008, where it opened on 4 Dec 2007, following previews from 30 Oct 2007.
The play opened to excellent reviews: 'Letts...knows just how to put the "fun" back into "dysfunctional.' (New York Theatre Guide), 'The most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years.' (New York Times); "You're laughing hysterically one minute and appalled the next as the 3 1/2 -hour play flies by" (New York Daily News); "It's enormously entertaining." (New York Post); "Ripping, riveting new play." (NewsDay); "One big, fat, juicy whopper." (Star-Ledger); "Most exciting new plays in years." (The Record); "So darkly delicious and ghastly that you're squirming in your seat even as you're doubled over laughing." (Variety).
August: Osage County is the recent recipient of multiple Drama Desk, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama League award nominations, including Best Play, Best Director, Best Actress, Best Featured Actor, and Best Featured Actress.
The drama had its world premiere at Chicago's Steppenwolf, directed Anna D. Shapiro, where it ran from 28 Jun - 26 Aug 2007. The ensemble from that production have reprised their roles for Broadway: Ian Barford, Deanna Dunagan, Kimberly Guerrero, Francis Guinan, Mariann Mayberry, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Jeff Perry, Rondi Reed and Troy West. The production also includes Brian Kerwin and Michael McGuire who joined the ensemble for the comedy's Broadway run.
Anna D. Shapiro, once again directs the production, which marks her Broadway debut. The design team features Todd Rosenthal (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), Ann Wrightson (lights), Richard Woodbury (sound) and David Singer (original music).
August: Osage County is being produced on Broadway by Jeffrey Richards, Jean Doumanian, Steve Traxler and Jerry Frankel, in association with Steppenwolf Theatre Company.
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