Play-Based 'Bug' Opens Nationwide in Theaters Today

Bug, the new William Friedkin (The French Connection, The Excorcist) thriller starring Ashley Judd (Double Jeopardy, Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood), Michael Shannon (8 Mile) and Harry Connick, Jr. (Broadway's The Pajama Game), opens in theaters nationwide today, May 25.

Based on the play by Tracy Letts (Killer Joe), Bug tells the story of a waitress (Judd) who escapes her abusive ex-husband (Connick) and moves into a seedy hotel, where she befriends a soft-spoken but quirky Gulf War Veteran (Shannon, who has played the role in both London and New York productions).

Bug originally premiered at the Gate Theatre in London on September 20, 1996, and made its US debut at Ithaca, New York.  The Off Broadway Production of Bug opened February 29, 2004, opened February 29, 2004 and ran for nearly a year, starring Shannon Cochran, Michael Shannon, and Michael Cullen. The Barrow Street production received two OBIE Awards, three Drama Desk Nominations, and the Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play.

Photo of Harry Connick, Jr. by Walter McBride/Retna Ltd.