State College Community Theatre Stages ‘August: Osage County’

An alcoholic father who goes missing, a scheming, drug-addicted mother, a daughter with a secret love affair, family intrigue and plenty of bickering in-laws. Sounds like a Jerry Springer episode?

Meet the Westons, the wonderfully miserable family depicted in “August: Osage County.” The Pulitzer Prize-winning black comedy will open at Mt. Nittany Middle School on Sept. 20. State College Community Theatre (SCCT), under the direction of Mike Knarr, will present the Tracy Letts drama set in present-day Oklahoma.

Tom McClary plays Beverly Weston, an aging poet and devout drunk who disappears, leaving behind his cancer-stricken, pill-popping, cigarette-smoking, acid-tongued wife Violet, portrayed by Melissa Brannen. Beverly, we learn, has committed suicide, thus bringing the family together for his funeral.

“It’s raw,” Brannen said, “and even though it’s so exaggerated, all families can relate to the drama.”

Brannen brings a biting edginess to Violet, yet maintains the character’s pathetic appeal. Her scenes with her daughter Ivy (Lindsey Allison) bring out the bitter disappointment a mother can have in a daughter. As the action progresses, it becomes apparent that Violet’s disappointment lies in her own existence.

The Westons have two other daughters: Karen, played by Lindsey Schrott and Barbara, played by Amy Farkas. SCCT veteran Susan Kleit plays Mattie Fae Aiken, Violet’s cynical, meddling sister. Rod Egan plays Mattie Fae’s long-suffering soul of a husband.

Rounding out the cast, Chris Brannen plays Bill Fordham, Madeline Biever plays Jean Fordham, Rob Arnold plays Little Charles Aiken, Jackie Gianico plays Johnna Monevata, Steve Raybuck plays Steve Heidebrecht and Chris Hults plays Sheriff Deon Gibeau.

As the action progresses and characters reveal one sordid secret after another, the drama could easily fall into a depressing sob-fest. But the dialogue, with its caustic tone keeps it firmly in the comic zone.

“The window shades have all been removed. Nighttime is free to encroach,” said Aiken, sarcasm dripping throughout the scene.

Knarr doesn’t allow his actors to hold anything back. He encourages the blunt, battering tones that make the play hard-hitting.

“It’s true black comedy,” he explained, “you have alcoholism, pedophilia, incest and suicide – all presented in a light, sunny manner!”

Of course, the mature subject matter, not to mention the language, makes this play a “mature audiences only” event.

However, it will leave the audience with plenty to think about and discuss, hopefully in a congenial manner, on the way home.

IF YOU GO

What: “August: Osage County”

When: Sept. 20, 21, 27, 28 (various times)

Where: Mount Nittany Middle School Auditorium

For more information or to by tickets click HERE.