Bug (play)

Infobox Play
name = Bug


image_size = 160px
caption =
writer = Tracy Letts
characters = Peter Evans
Agnes White
Jerry Goss
Dr. Sweet
R.C.
Pizza guy
setting = Oklahoma, USA
premiere = 20 September 1996
place = London, England
orig_lang = English
subject =
genre = Black comedy
web =
playbill =
ibdb_id =

"Bug" is a play by American playwright Tracy Letts.

Synopsis

Most of the action takes place in a seedy motel room. The story tells about cocktail waitress Agnes, her violent ex-con ex-husband Jerry Goss whom she is hiding from, her lesbian biker friend R.C. who introduces her to (possible AWOL Gulf War veteran) Peter. She gets involved with Peter, who begins to rant about the war in Iraq, UFOs, the Oklahoma City bombings, cult suicides, and then secret government experiment on soldiers. The play deals with the issues of love, paranoia, and government conspiracy, and contains violence and nudity.

Production history

London premiere

The play originally premiered at the "Gate Theatre" in Notting Hill, London, England on September 20 1996. [ [http://www.compulink.co.uk/~shutters/reviews/96074.htm "Financial Times": "Bug", Gate Theatre, London W11, Opened 20 September, 1996"] (review by Ian Shuttleworth)] The rehearsals were at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. [http://www.performink.com/Archives/features/RedOrchid-Bug.html PerformInk.com: "Bug, Killer Joe's Dysfunctional Relation, Makes its Midwest Debut at A Red Orchid", by Lucia Mauro] ]
*Shannon Cochran - Agnes White
*Michael Shannon - Peter Evans

American premieres

Following its London run, the play made its U.S. debut at Ithaca, New York, followed by the Woolly Mammoth Theatre in Washington, D.C.

The play's Chicago Premiere was at A Red Orchid Theatre, where the play first rehearsed prior to its world premiere in London.

*Opening Date: August 20, 2001
*Closing Date: October 28, 2001
*Director: Dexter Bullard
*Kate Buddeke - Agnes
*Michael Shannon - Peter
*Guy Van Swearingen - Jerry
*Robin Witt - R.C.
*Troy West - Dr. Sweet

Off-Broadway

*Barrow Street Theatre, New York City, New York [ [http://www.talkinbroadway.com/ob/02_29a_04.html Talkingbroadway.com "Bug"] (review by Matthew Murray)]
*Opening Date: February 29, 2004
*Closing Date: January 30, 2005
*Director: Dexter Bullard
*Shannon Cochran - Agnes
*Michael Shannon - Peter
*Michael Cullen - Jerry
*Amy Landecker - R.C.
*Reed Birney - Dr. Sweet

Amanda Plummer resigned from the Off-Broadway premiere 24 hours before its February 21 start date. [ [http://theater.about.com/b/a/067499.htm About: Theater (Feb. 24, 2004): "Bug" Out", by Maria Knapp] ] A notice in the theater box office warned that the show contained nudity, violence and cigarette smoking. [ [http://www.newyorkcool.com/archives/April2004/theater.html Newyorkcool.com: "Bug"] (review by Wendy R. Williams)]

Film adaptation

A film version of the play was released in 2006 from Lionsgate. It was directed by William Friedkin, and starred Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr and Michael Shannon. Friedkin contacted Tracy Letts after having seen the play, and they cooperated on a screen adaptation. Friedkin described the film as "the most intense piece of work I've ever done". [ [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6070626 National Public Radio] ] Michael Shannon had played the part on stage. Lionsgate wanted to cast an actor with better name recognition, however Friedkin was determined to have Shannon perform in the film, saying he brought a unique quality to the part.

Awards and nominations

;Awards
* 2004 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play
* 2004 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding DIrector, Dexter Bullard
* 2004 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Lighting Design, Tyler Micoleau
* 2004 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Sound Design, Brian Ronan
* 2004 Obie Award for Outstanding Performance - The acting company of "Bug" - Shannon Cochran, Michael Shannon, Michael Cullen, Amy Landecker, Reed Birney
*2003-2004 Obie Award for Outstanding Design team - The design team of "Bug" - Lauren Helpern (sets), Tyler Micoleau (lights), Brian Ronan (sound), Kim Gill (costumes), Faye Armon (props)
* 2004 Theatre World Award for Shannon Cochran ;Nominations
* 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Actress in a Play - Shannon Cochran
* 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Director of a Play - Dexter Bullard
* 2004 Drama Desk Award for Outstanding Sound Designer - Brian Ronan

References

Further reading

*

External links