When I go to the theatre, my hope is that I completely lose myself in the production. I don't want to know that these are people whom I can see on the street saying lines that they have memorized on a set that was built to be used for only a couple of weeks. I want to BELIEVE that I have been transported to another place, spying like a voyeur into the lives of strangers. The inaugural production from The Friends Of Marjorie Lyons Playhouse delivers just that.

"August: Osage County," a Pulitzer and Tony award winning play written by Tracy Letts is a peek inside the life of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family. Recently adapted into a movie starring Meryl Streep, it weaves it's way through a couple of weeks of the Weston Clan. I won't go into many plot details or give away any spoilers, but I will tell you that the play itself is incredibly funny, sad, uncomfortable, revealing, and satisfying all at once. Director Nate Wasson has taken this material and turned it into an engaging circus of characters that is an absolute joy to watch.

The first person we hear from is the patriarch, Beverly Weston, played by Richard Folmer. Folmer delivers a flawless performance as the bourbon soaked poet, long in tooth and world weary. We wonder why Bev feels the way he does, until we meet his wife Violet Weston, played by Cynthia Whitaker. Whitaker inhabits Violet like a fitted glove. Her performance is one of those that makes you completely forget that she is acting. Violet's abrasive demeanor is echoed by her sister Mattie Fay Aiken, who is brought to life exceptionally by Heather Peak Hooper.

The Westons have three daughters, Barbara Fordham, Ivy Weston, and Karen Weston played by Mary Thoma, Anna Maria Sparke, and Kalah Roberts respectively. These women all bring powerhouse performances to the stage. Mary Thoma as Barbara captivates the audience as she deals with her mother, cheating husband Bill (Garret Kruithof), and wild teenage daughter Jean (Elizabeth Beagley). Sparke's lonely Ivy made us feel almost sorry for her, while at the same time cringe at her decisions. The bubbly, optimistic Karen from Roberts gave us hope, then that gets dashed away as we are introduced to her not-so-perfect fiancé, Steve (Luke Sexton).

Rounding out the cast is Meade Patton as Charlie Aiken, Mattie Fay's belabored husband who is only trying to hold his family together in peace; Logan Sledge as Little Charlie, Mattie Fay and Charlie's quiet and meek son; Rebecca Woodruff as Johnna Monevato, the Westons' housekeeper; and Jim Cowles as Sheriff Deon Gilbeau.

In addition to the jaw-dropping performances, "August: Osage County" features an amazing technical crew. The set designed by Don Hooper seems to use every inch of MLP's stage as it meanders through platform after platform. The lighting designed by Courtney Gaston gave the set the look of a dusty old house, engrossed in a depressingly hot summer while transitioning easily from scene to scene. Barry Butler's subtle but ever-present sound design made the real even more real as we heard everything that took place outside the home, pulling us even further into Osage County.

The main reason, for me, that this play was so enchanting is because, while there are small story arcs and secrets to be revealed, there's no real definitive narrative. It is a peek inside a family who has long since been set in their ways, and who will make you feel a whole lot better about your kin. With the exception of maybe three characters, none of these people are very likable. They are all extremely flawed past our expectations, and illicit very little, if any sympathy from the audience. But that's what the play is supposed to do. You're not watching because you love them, you're watching to see what horrible thing they do or say to each other next.

You owe it to yourself to see this show. Not only is it a veritable who's who of Shreveport stage talent that will keep you riveted through three acts, but it is also a great opportunity to give to Marjorie Lyons Playhouse so they can continue their work in educating the next batch of theatre pros.

Performances are held at Marjorie Lyons Playhouse on the campus of Centenary College:

Sunday, August 14 – 2:00pm
Thursday, August 18 – 7:00pm
Friday, August 19 – 7:00pm
Saturday, August 20 – 7:00pm

Tickets are $25.00 and can be purchased by visiting the Box Office at the address listed above during operating hours, or by calling (318) 869-5242.

The Box Office is open Monday through Friday from 12:00pm-4:00pm, as well as an hour before each performance.

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