Tracy Letts' AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize, Drama Desk, New York Drama Critics Circle, and Outer Critics Circle Awards for Best Play, is proud to welcome Academy Award winner Estelle Parsons (in the role of "Violet") and acclaimed Steppenwolf actress Molly Regan (in the role of "Mattie Fae") to the Broadway company on Tuesday, June 17th.
Estelle Parsons' first foray into the business began when she was hired by "The Today Show," first as a production assistant, then staff writer, which eventually led her to become the first female television network political news reporter.
Estelle began acting and appeared in her first stage performance on Broadway in Happy Hunting. Since then, Estelle has gone on to either star in or direct over 25 productions. Most notably, she has been nominated for the Tony Award for her performances in The Seven Descents of Myrtle, And Miss Reardon Drinks a Little, Miss Margarida's Way and Mornings at Seven.
Estelle's first film role was in Ladybug, Ladybug. Her performance in Bonnie & Clyde garnered an Academy Award and she was nominated again the following year for her work in Rachel, Rachel Other film performances include Don't Drink the Water, I Walk the Line , I Never Sang for My Father, Watermelon Man , For Pete's Sake , Dick Tracy, Boys on the Side and Looking for Richard.
On television, Estelle appeared in "All in the Family" and as the mother of "Roseanne" on the hit sitcom. Recently, she has appeared in the HBO television mini-series "Empire Falls" and has directed various productions of the
Oscar Wilde play Salome, all of which starred
Al Pacino. She also appears in the documentary Salomaybe? that was directed by Mr. Pacino.
In addition to teaching acting at Columbia and Yale,
Estelle Parsons served as the Artistic Director of the Actors' Studio between 1996 and 2001.
A Steppenwolf Ensemble member since 1985,
Molly Regan has had major roles in many productions; teaching, directing. Her Broadway credits include
The Crucible, Stepping Out. West End: Love Song. Off Broadway: The Seagull, Two Gentlemen of Verona, Booth. Many regional theatres including the Kennedy Center and 9 seasons at the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Film: The Emperor's Club, Pollock, Bullets Over Broadway, New York Stories. TV: The Education of Max Bickford (recurring) The Sopranos, Law and Order, Cosby.
Directed by Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle Award Winner
Anna D. Shapiro,
August: Osage County is the explosively funny comedy-drama focusing on the Weston family following the disappearance of the family's patriarch.
Voted #1 play of the year by Time, The Associated Press, Entertainment Weekly, and TimeOut New York, Charles Isherwood of The New York Times has called
August: Osage County "The most exciting new American play Broadway has seen in years."
August: Osage County performs Tuesday-Friday at 7:30PM, Matinees on Wednesday and Saturdays at 2:00PM, Saturdays at 8:00PM and Sundays at 3:00PM. Tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com, or by calling (212) 239-6200. Outside the NY Metro (800) 432-7250.
Photo Credit Walter McBride/ Retna Ltd.
