The Weston Family Takes a Road Trip! - August: Osage County on Tour

On Tuesday evening, July 28th, The Tony Award and Pulitzer Prize winning play August: Osage County officially kicked off its 1st national tour. Heading the touring cast is Estelle Parsons in a performance you just have to see. I was worried that I would make comparisons to the original cast, which I saw on Broadway, but found that after it got started, I didn't. That's because the cast is very solid and that is important with this show. All the cast has to do is gel more with one another. I am sure this will happen by the next city or two, maybe even while in Denver, and they will be blowing the roof off of every theater the show plays during the tour! That's how strong this cast is. One scene I must mention, because it was played to perfection by Ms. Parsons, Ms. Cochran and Ms. Torn, is the scene at the table with the catfish. The chemistry in that scene plus the strong performances throughout assured me that this tour is going to be wonderful. And like the New York production, you don't even feel the three and a half hours go by. The play is not for kids and it won't answer every question you may have by its final moments. That is, for me, one of the many wonderful things about this play. The unanswered questions do not take away from the play at all, but should have you discussing this dysfunctional family, and those around them, for a while after leaving the theater. (My best friend attended the performance with me and we talked about the show for 2 hours afterwards.) So I suggest you pull up a chair to the Weston Family's table and, as the commercial says, "Dig in"!!

I had a few questions about the tour. Cast member Amy Warren who plays Karen (She also played the part on Broadway) and the tour's Production Supervisor Jane Grey (Who was the Production Stage manager for the show on Broadway) were nice enough to answer my questions.....

I asked Amy Warren what it's like, after doing the show on Broadway, to be a part of a new Weston family and what adjustments, if any, does she make to perform with a new cast?

AW: It's a rare and excellent treat to be able to re-visit a role, especially given the fact that it was my Broadway debut and a really enchanted experience. I fell in love with everyone involved and will always treasure that time.

Doing the play with Estelle again is fascinating and she is spectacular and inspiring. I've never known an actor to be so exacting with the text, and Tracy's words should be spoken exactly as written. We are all striving to get it word perfect and Estelle does it every time...

This new cast is wonderful and it's fun seeing different people in the roles. I've worked with 4 different actors in the role of Uncle Charlie and they are all different physical types and have very different qualities but each one truly deeply embodied the role in their own way...It's always interesting to see how different actors approach a role, and it's an opportunity to hear it a new way, and because this play is so tight and well written, it lends itself to each actors best qualities. We really do become a family, and I think the special circumstance of being on the road together and traveling as a group adds a layer on intimacy you might not find working in the city you live in, where everyone has daily responsibilities and households etc. to focus on.

At the Music Box, the set was well worn and there was a comfy homey feeling about the dressing rooms and green room, now it's a new set with a fresh paint smell and the floors are slick because they are so new. We are in a huge theatre and are getting used to the body mics, which are essential because the space is so much bigger. The set itself is a little smaller because while we are on the road it has to be broken down and transported to each new venue and fit into each theatre. It's really astounding how it all works, getting this amazing play to all the different cities, and I am proud to be a part of such a magnificent venture!

Ms Grey was kind enough to take time out and answer some questions I had about the tour itself...

Have there been any changes to the set for the tour. If so, why?

JG: The set is slightly more shallow in the upstage/upstairs areas and slightly wider in the downstage main playing spaces. This has been changed to allow maximum flexibility in the various different spaces of the venues we will encounter during the tour. The main floor has been simplified slightly visually to accommodate easier build/breakdown in the short amount of time we have to put the set up in each city. Other than considerations for moving and sightlines in each city, very little has been changed and it is almost indiscernible to those who have seen the Broadway set.
Have there been any script or directorial changes for the tour. If so, why?
JG: There have been some minor directing adjustments based on the fact that we had a brand new company and actors will always inform their characters differently which is something that a production would want to embrace and grow from. The writing and staging has remained unchanged.

Are all cast members scheduled to do the entire tour?

JG: Yes.

Why was Denver chosen to kick off the national tour?

JG: As the production supervisor, I'm not privy to the details of exactly why the producers chose Denver, but I can tell you that we are all thrilled to be here!
How long have the cast and creative staff been in Denver to prepare for and open the tour?
JG: The load in began on July 7th for all the lighting, set, sound, props and wardrobe. The creative team and actors arrived on July 20th to work through the show with all the technical aspects to be prepared for a first audience on July 24th.

What was the schedule to prepare for the opening of the tour?

JG: The planning started many months before we arrived in Denver. The set and lights need to be redesigned and sent out to companies for bids on the jobs to put out these packages. Casting was happening simultaneously and was in place by the end of April. We began a 3 week rehearsal period starting at the end of June which just coincided with the closing of Broadway. The decision to do the tour probably started once the NY reviews came in and we knew just what we had.

If you have not seen the play yet, grab a ticket and go! And for those who have seen it and are planning to see it again, well, you know what you are in for and you know.. it's all good!

August: Osage County plays the Ellie Caulkins Opera House at the Denver Center for the Performing Arts through August 8th.

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