August: Osage County [Play]

I was uncertain about this play when I first saw it. A second viewing (the film) left me somewhat more positive. It is in the reading that I have finally come to realize the weight of this play (and I am not referring to the 3.5 hour running time; I was aware of that from the first viewing). The story of a dysfunctional family in Pawhuska, Oklahoma, sounds genuine. It is an honest story, full of ordinary everyday unhappiness and conflict. The characters are like those in a Sam Shepherd play: deeply flawed, relentlessly narcissistic, unable to find their way out of problems of their own making, and blaming the world at large for everything that went wrong. For the most part, the characters veer between sympathetic and down-right show more unlikable, much like people in real life. While this family is different from other dysfunctional families, if you came from one, you will certainly recognize the emotional torture, even if the situations are different. It is complex, with subplot on top of subplot, and in the end, as true a statement about the meaninglessness of life as any absurdist writer ever achieved - and doing it all in a realist setting. Definitely worth the investment of time. show less

There aren't technically SPOILERS following, but I will spoil the theme and tone, so be warned, and read no further. Here's what this play is NOT: One of those dramas where quirky people go through a tragedy together, but everybody heals and has a big, warm hug and laugh at the end. Yeah, this play has a few quirky people, and they definitely go through a family tragedy. There are also some funny lines and moments of levity. But sh*t gets revealed about this family, past and present, and then more stuff, and then more, and things to from tragic to unrelenting, to worse. This is about the disintegration of a family, character by character. And they do it to each other. I hope someday to see this staged (and I hope the filmmakers don't f- show more it up). show less

My goodness, did I ever enjoy getting to be a fly on the wall of the Weston family's Oklahoman home. The drama in this one does not disappoint and it has left me pondering about the ethics of incest for a few days now so there's that!

I saw the play in late 2015 or early 2016 and loved it. It made me realize my family is not the only fucked-up one and therefore I'm not defined by it.
So wanted to re-visit the story and read it. It's so amazingly bitter-sweet, it's dark and cynical and yet you have to smile all the time.

Many of the sentences are great mainly in context but there is one awesome quote I really want to put here: "I'm white and over thirty. I don't get in trouble."

This play dives deep into the inner workings of the Weston family and revels in their dysfunction. The family has serious issues, pills, alcohol, adultery, weed, etc., but it also has heart.

The story and writing reminded me of Tennessee Williams' work, southern families full of conflict and pain. It also has a dose of comedy and the ability to laugh at the absurdity of their arguments at times.

I think this is a play that won't appeal to everyone. At times it was hard for me to identify with the characters because they all seem to view themselves as victims. But over all I thought it was well written and didn't shy away from dark topics.

This was my first Tracy Letts play and it was a good one. Simply put, this is a dysfunctional family drama. Capital D for dysfunctional; it puts the FUN in dysfunctional.

Okay, now I'm done with the puns.

Tracy Letts is very good with his dialogue. It's quick, smart, and witty. There was hilarity in the inherent tragedy of life. I like the isolation of the play. The Weston house seemed all alone, on another plane of existence. No one was happy. Everybody had weird as all hell problems. The hardest part was letting go. But what happens to the others that are left behind? How do they go on?

Beverly Weston, a former academic, disappears from the family home one day. His wife, Violet, is not concerned for a couple of days, because this has happened before. But when it seems as though he won't come back after all, Violet's three daughters and their families all come back to the homestead to sort through their family history. The play crackles with dark undertones and deep-seated conflicts as secrets come to light. It's difficult to discuss them in detail, since part of the thrill is reading them for yourself. This was a play where I'd read the same page multiple times, just to make sure I'd got everything, and where I didn't want to read too far ahead just in case something important happened. On more than one occasion I show more exclaimed in shock at revelations that were made. If you like American drama or intra-family feuding, then you might want to take a look at this play. show less