RIALTO CHATTER: Letts' SUPERIOR DONUTS Seeks Bdwy Shingle

The Chicago Tribune's Chris Jones is reporting in his 'Theater Loop', that production talks and negotiations are in an advanced stage to bring Tracy Letts' "Superior Donuts" to Broadway in the fall, the Steppenwolf Theatre confirmed Tuesday, while insisting that no final contractual deal had been made.

Jones reveals that would be the red-hot Steppenwolf and Letts' second Broadway transfer in three years. As with its Windy City premiere, the production would be directed by Tina Landau and feature all or most of the original cast, which includes Michael McKean, Jon Michael Hill and Kate Buddeke.

The line-up of producers will be a similar crew to the one behind Letts' "August: Osage County,' which continues to run on Broadway. Jeffrey Richards, Jerry Frankel, Jean Douminian and Steve Traxler would all be involved, reports Jones. To read the complete article, click here.

Steppenwolf Theatre Company concluded its 32nd season with the world premiere Superior Donuts by ensemble member and Pulitzer Prize winner Tracy Letts, directed by ensemble member Tina Landau.  The production, featured ensemble members Jon Michael Hill, Yasen Peyankov and James Vincent Meredith, with Jane Alderman, Kate Buddeke, Cliff Chamberlain, Michael Garvey, Robert Maffia and Michael McKean, and ran June 19 - August 24, 2008 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre, 1650 N. Halsted St. 

Arthur Przybyszewski (Michael McKean) owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago.  Franco Wicks (Jon Michael Hill), a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better.  This provocative world premiere comedy, set in the heart of one of Chicago's most diverse communities, explores the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship.

Ensemble member Tracy Letts received the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama for his critically-acclaimed play August: Osage County, currently playing on Broadway following a sold-out run at Steppenwolf in 2007.  Mr. Letts is also the author of Man from Nebraska, which was produced at Steppenwolf in 2003 and was a finalist for a Pulitzer Prize; Killer Joe, which has been produced in Chicago, London and New York; and Bug, which has played in New York, Chicago and London. 

Ensemble member Tina Landau most recently directed Steppenwolf's 2007 production of The Diary of Anne Frank.  Other Steppenwolf directing credits include Cherry Orchard, The Time of Your Life (also Seattle Rep, A.C.T.), Theatrical Essays, Maria Arndt, The Ballad of Little Jo, The Berlin Circle, Time to Burn, and her own play, Space (also NY's Public Theater, Mark Taper Forum).

Superior Donuts was directed by Tina Landau.  The design team includes:  Loy Arcenas (sets), Ana Kuzmanic (costumes), Christopher Akerlind (lights), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (original music and sound) and Chuck Coyl (fight choreography).  Edward Sobel is the dramaturg.  Laura D. Glenn is the stage manager and Lauren V. Hickman is the assistant stage manager.  

For more information please visit www.steppenwolf.org

Photo of Original Chicago production of Superior Donuts by Michael Brosilow