The Minutes 2017 - Articles Page 3

Playwright Tracy Letts presents a brand-new political drama at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre this November, ahead of its Broadway transfer in 2018. Behind hit movie Killer Joe, as well as having written Superior Donuts and the Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning family drama August: Osage County for the stage, he once again teams up with acclaimed director Anna D Shapiro for a witty examination into local politics at a town meeting, that quickly turns dark as personal prejudices come to the fore. The Minutes is produced by fellow Steppenwolf member Scott Rudin, whose previous productions include the successful Broadway productions of Larry David's "Fish in the Dark" and Stephen Adly Guirgis' "The Motherf***er With The Hat."

Now Lett's ruthless penmanship turns towards town politics in an area of historical importance, where a local hero's legend allows vanity and pride among the populace. Where reserved parking is regarded as much as a right as the Constitution, we might be forgiven for thinking that these folks are somewhat limited in scope. However, under the surface is bubbling a bigger issue that could tear the town apart, history be damned....

Letts is known for his searing black tragi-comedies, his most famous one being August: Osage County. Riveting auidences to their seats, it also won over the press and hailed by The New York Times as "hugely entertaining! A ripsnorter full of blistering, funny dialogue, acid-etched characters and scenes of no-holds-barred emotional combat." Directed by Anna D. Shapiro (The Pain and the Itch), she garnered praise by Variety, in which they called it "a deep and highly entertaining work, consistently rich, raw and intense, filled with viciousness and vicious wit."