Wheaton Drama to put the fun in dysfunction with ‘August: Osage County’
Say you woke up one day and discovered you were the artistic director of a local theater. In your new role, you will select the productions that will draw hearty audiences while fitting the company's aesthetic vision. A script about a dysfunctional family jam-packed with infidelity, drug abuse, profanity, suicide, and free-flowing alcohol (a lot of it), lands on your desk. At what point do you say, “Let's book it?”
If you were part of Wheaton Drama's Artistic Committee, you would say, “Let's do it now!” And that's how “August: Osage County” became part of the community theater's current season.
The tragicomedy, which runs through April 13, is promoted on the website with a description that sets up the stage: “A vanished father. A pill-popping mother. Three sisters holding secrets. When the Weston family reunites after Dad's disappearance, the family erupts with hidden truths and long-buried secrets. ‘August: Osage County’ is a Pulitzer-Prize winning play which will leave audiences 'laughing and wondering, shuddering and smiling long after the house lights are back on.'” It also comes with a warning: "’August: Osage County’ explores difficult themes and uses harsh language that may not be suitable for all audiences.”
None of that deters audiences. The play, which premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre on June 28, 2007, was written by its company member Tracy Letts specifically for the acting ensemble. It reached widespread critical acclaim, experienced an extended run, and garnered five Tony Awards, including Best Play, Best Actress, Best Direction. It also earned Letts a Pulitzer Prize for Drama.
Still, producing “August: Osage County” is a bold and edgy move for WD, a nearly 100-year-old nonprofit, non-Equity theater. The method used to bring it to Wheaton was a complicated one that sprang from a time-honored process.
“WD is governed by a set of bylaws that have been in place for decades,” said Joni Kotche, the board of governors sales governor. “One section of the bylaws covers the selection of plays and outlines the timelines and specific requirements necessary to fill out the season.”
The undertaking begins with the artistic committee, a group of WD members who hold various roles in the organization. After reading several recommended scripts, the team chooses five shows representing a mixture of genres. One of the shows is usually a family-friendly musical (past productions include “Willy Wonka,” “A Christmas Carol,” and “Elf Jr.”), and the balance could be a blend of comedy, dramedy, farce, or drama. The compiled series must meet five criteria outlined in the bylaws: community values, family participation, membership interest, push the envelope, and mass appeal.
“Sometimes, a play is chosen after several years of submission, like ‘Sweeney Todd’ or ‘August: Osage County,’ which are considered to be 'push the envelope' shows due to their subject matter,” explained Kotche. “After reviewing and rejecting it for several years, the artistic committee felt it was the right time for ‘August: Osage County.’ Many theater companies will not produce it as it touches on very serious topics within a highly dysfunctional family. A role in this play could be a dream role for an actor and quite an addition to their resume.”
It could also be a positive experience for attendees who, at the play’s conclusion, may feel emotionally challenged, intellectually enriched, and perhaps grateful to return to their own familial spheres.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays through April 13 at Wheaton Drama, 111 N. Hale, Wheaton.
Tickets for “August: Osage County” are $18 to $21 and are available through the box office at (630) 260-1820 or at wheatondrama.org. There, you can also find information about performances, membership, upcoming auditions, volunteering opportunities and classes.
For those interested in supporting Wheaton Drama in its mission of “creating a more engaged community and lasting friendships by sharing our passion for quality theater,” learn about the benefits of membership. Onstage, behind the scenes, or in the lobby, members contribute to Wheaton Drama’s success through volunteer work in a well-respected organization that brings top-notch theatrical arts to people enthusiastic about live shows. Opportunities await in departments including set design, props, costumes, stage management, and communications.