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A review by nftibbetts
August: Osage County by Tracy Letts
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
As one drawn to extremes, I relished in the complexities and gray areas of the extremes presented in August: Osage County. The function of this play is to present dysfunction, namely through its central family—not a workplace or a friend group, but a blood relative family, which the play works to remind audiences of. Growing up, parents, children, and siblings mold eachother like clay, for better or worse—the Weston household of August: Osage County is one particular kiln where everyone gets a good look at one another's "pottery" and their cracks and chips.
Most entertaining about August: Osage County is the fact that most of these cracks and chips are either unknown and unseen or purposely hidden. The play paces itself so well that when they are revealed (or in some cases, grow until you can't ignore them), the result engages audiences through the revelations and actions of the characters. Overall, this play is an darkly comic and explosive triptych of what brings family together, what brings them apart, and what is left once it is gone.
Most entertaining about August: Osage County is the fact that most of these cracks and chips are either unknown and unseen or purposely hidden. The play paces itself so well that when they are revealed (or in some cases, grow until you can't ignore them), the result engages audiences through the revelations and actions of the characters. Overall, this play is an darkly comic and explosive triptych of what brings family together, what brings them apart, and what is left once it is gone.