Original Chicago Cast Set For Sydney Theatre's AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY Aug 13

Steppenwolf Theatre Company is pleased to announce that most of the original Chicago/Broadway cast members of its critically-acclaimed American play August: Osage County by ensemble member Tracy Letts will reprise their roles for a six-week run at Sydney Theatre Company, August 13 - September 25, 2010. The Sydney production will be directed by ensemble member Anna D. Shapiro.

The Sydney cast includes (in alphabetical order): ensemble member Gary Cole (Steve Heidebrecht), Deanna Dunagan (Violet Westin), Kimberly Guerrero (Johnna Monevata), ensemble member Mariann Mayberry (Karen Weston), ensemble member Amy Morton (Barbara Fordham), ensemble member Sally Murphy (Ivy Weston), Paul Vincent O'Connor (Charlie Aiken), ensemble member Jeff Perry (Bill Fordham), Molly Ranson (Jean Fordham), ensemble member Rondi Reed (Mattie Fae Aiken), Chelcie Ross (Beverly Weston), Troy West (Sheriff Deon Gilbeau) and Gary Wilmes (Little Charles).

Sydney Theatre Company and The Sydney Morning Herald presents Steppenwolf Theatre Company's AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY by Tracy Letts

13 August - 25 September 2010, Opening Night 17 August 2010 at 7.30pm.
Sydney Theatre, 22 Hickson Road, Walsh Bay

Sydney Theatre Company hosts one of the world's greatest ensembles, Steppenwolf Theatre Company, with the originating production of August: Osage County by Tracy Letts, directed by Anna D. Shapiro (Sydney Theatre, 13 August - 25 September 2010). Hailed as the first American classic of the 21st Century, the play is an entertaining, meticulously detailed and deeply moving tragicomedy of family dysfunction.

Steppenwolf's production premiered in its Chicago hometown, earning Letts the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Transferring to Broadway the hit show won five Tony Awards (Best Play-Tracy Letts, Best Direction-Anna D. Shapiro, Best Leading Actress-Deanna Dunagan, Best Featured Actress-Rondi Reed and Best Scenic Design-Todd Rosenthal) and became an international sensation. The production also played a sold-out eight-week engagement at London's National Theatre and an extensive North American tour.

August: Osage County is the grand and gripping tale of the Weston family, a large extended family that comes together at their Oklahoma homestead after the disappearance of the family patriarch. Forced to confront unspoken truths and astonishing secrets, the clan must also contend with matriarch Violet, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman at the eye of the storm.

Steppenwolf formed in Chicago in the mid-1970s. Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, their mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of theatre by nurturing artists, encouraging creative relationships and contributing new works to the American canon. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of forty-three artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation.

Tracy Letts first performed with Steppenwolf in 1988 and became a permanent ensemble member in 2002. He has written a number of plays including Bug, Killer Joe, Man From Nebraska and Superior Donuts. Director Anna D. Shapiro has been an ensemble member since 2005 and has directed some of Steppenwolf's most memorable productions, including Three Days of Rain, Drawer Boy, I Never Sang for my Father, Man from Nebraska and The Pain and the Itch.

"We're really pleased to present Australian audiences with the opportunity to experience members of the Steppenwolf ensemble in August: Osage County," said Sydney Theatre Company's Andrew Upton. Co-Artistic Director Cate Blanchett added: "This extraordinary company visit Sydney with the original production of what will be the next American classic."

Cast: Gary Cole, Deanna Dunagan, Kimberly Guerrero, Mariann Mayberry, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Paul Vincent O'Connor, Jeff Perry, Molly Ranson, Rondi Reed, Chelcie Ross, Troy West, Gary Wilmes.

Director: Anna D. Shapiro. Set Designer: Todd Rosenthal. Costume Designer: Ana Kuzmanic. Lighting Designer: Ann G. Wrightson. Sound Designer: Richard Woodbury. Composer: David Singer. Fight Choreographer Chuck Coyl

The US cast are appearing with the permission of the Media, Entertainment and Arts Alliance.

Tickets: $40 - $90 Box Office: (02) 9250 1777 sydneytheatre.com.au