BWW Reviews: AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY Regional Premiere at Wichita Community Theatre

Wichita's theatre community has been buzzing with the hype of August: Osage County by Tracy Letts. The regional premiere of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning play is taking place at Wichita Community Theatre January 29th through February 15th. A multi-generational ensemble of some of Wichita's finest actors gave an opportunity for many actors and technicians to stretch their limits and challenge themselves, in a way only a magnificent script can.

August: Osage County, directed by Crystal Meek and assistant directed by Dan E. Campbell and Michael Criss, takes place entirely in the family home of the Westons- a disconnected Oklahoma family facing a drove of daemons. Dennis Letts, the real-life father of author Tracy Letts, played the family patriarch from the conception at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago and stayed with the production until he made his Broadway debut. August: Osage County won six Tony awards including Best Play, ran over two years on Broadway and spurred a movie starring Meryl Streep and Julia Roberts. Author Tracy Letts went on to win another Tony for acting as George in the 2012 revival of Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Mary Lou Phipps-Winfrey as the conflicted Mattie Fae Aiken was perfectly cast. She has a complicated, painful character and created interesting, varied levels. A very polished actress. Ann-Marie Rogers as the lonely housekeeper Johnna Monevata brought a simple honesty and gentle wisdom. Comparatively, Johnna speaks very little, but Rogers says so much. Theatre newcomer Paul Savage as Charlie Aiken brought a level of reality to the stage that is rarely seen. The father-son scene between him and Little Charles (Kenneth Mitchell) carried immense amounts of joy and sadness simultaneously. However, the standout performance is Beth Wise as the family matriarch Violet Weston. She was the essence of perfection. This part was written for her remarkable talents. This was a truly transformative performance. Bravo and make room for your Mary Jane Teall, Ms. Wise.

Greg Dalton-White, who played Beverly Weston (the patriarch and prologue), was charming and charismatic, but lacked the brow-beaten ache that Beverly is experiencing. Unfortunately, the script only allows one scene with the fascinating Dalton-White. Wichita Community Theatre is constantly challenging themselves to use their space creatively, but the confines of the building's architecture couldn't accommodate the necessary second level of the three-level set. The persistent textual trifectas demand it. The pivotal dining room scene was a sea of backs and the massively talented Jessica Fischer (as Barbara Fordham) was all but hidden. The scene could have benefited from a forced perspective table or an alternative angle. There were a few curious casting choices, but every actor was strong and dynamic.

August: Osage County is playing at Wichita Community Theatre until February 15th. Thursday through Saturday performances at 8:00p.m. and Sundays at 7:00p.m. Tickets range from $12 to $14 and reservations are recommended. Call (316) 686-1282 for visit www.wichitact.org for more information. WCT is located at 258 N Fountain.

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