Human Race and Wright State Present AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY

By: Sep. 09, 2010
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Tracy Letts' masterpiece, August: Osage County, has won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, multiple Tony awards and accolades around the world, including Time magazine's declaration that it's The Play of the Decade. Now, in its regional premiere, August has accomplished something that never happened before - a collaboration between Dayton's own professional theatre company, The Human Race, and Wright State Theatre on a production at Wright State's Festival Theatre.
 
The story of three generations of the Weston family of Oklahoma and their many issues - many, many, many issues - is mix of fierce humor and powerful drama, and the local production is a true mix of the professional and collegiate organizations. The cast of 13 includes seven professionals and six WSU students, and technical positions have been shared about as equally.
 
"It makes sense that the area's pre-professional training program should work with professionals, and The Human Race does some of the best professional theatre I've ever seen anywhere," said W. Stuart McDowell, Chairman of the WSU Department of Theatre, dance and Motion Pictures when the joint project was announced in the spring.
 
"The combination has been working well," says Human Race Resident Artist Scott Stoney, who is co-directing August with HRTC Artistic Director Marsha Hanna. Stoney, who also plays family patriarch Beverly, whose disappearance sets the play's events in motion, says, "Relationships are starting to happen. I think the students are impressed with the professionals, and the professionals appreciate the students' enthusiasm and talent."
 
The professional are a top group, including two who were understudies during August's Broadway run. Susanne Marley understudied Tony winner Deanna Dunagan as acid-tongued family matriarch Violet and Rainbow Dickerson, a Blue Jacket veteran, moves from understudy onto the stage as the Weston's Native American maid, Johnna.
 
The other professionals in the cast are Chicago-based Christie Berger, Frankie in the HRTC production of Frankie and Johnny in the Clair de Lune in 2003; Ohio U instructor Brian David Evans; Bill Simmons of Indianapolis; and Daniel Britt of Cincinnati.
 
The six WSU students are Maddie Casto, Chelsey Cavender, Jason David Collins, Kelsey Hopkins, Greg Mallios and Alex Sunderhaus, all of whom have been active participants in WSU productions in recent years.

Duties behind the scenes are shared as well, and Stoney says students are instrumental, "responsible for getting things set up for rehearsals and then taking them down again to make room for classes that use the space."
 
Wendy J. Dorn is the Production Stage Manager, Pam Knauert Lavarnway the Scenic Designer, David M. Covach the Costume Designer, John Rensel the Lighting Designer, James Dunlap the Sound Designer, with John Lavarnway and Heather Powell on properties.
 
Make no mistake - August: Osage County, while extremely funny, is a very hard-hitting play. which has led to a disclaimer of sorts:
 
WARNING:  This play contains strong language, alcohol abuse, stronger language, legal drug abuse, really strong language, illegal drug abuse, sibling rivalry, verbal abuse, latent pedophilia, patent nastiness, strong psychological tension, sordid dramatic subplots, and enough laughs to cause possible severe injury to persons inclined toward knee-slapping.

August: Osage County will be presented September 23 - October 10 at the Wright State Festival Playhouse, with tickets available through the WSU Box Office at (937) 775-2500. Groups of ten or more should contact Victoria Oleen at (937) 775-3789. Curtain times vary, with a performance calendar available at www.humanracetheatre.org.
 
Because this is a joint presentation, there will not be the usual Human Race Pay What You Can Night for August, but there will be the Inside Track talk with the directors before the September 23 preview performance, and a While We're on the Subject discussion after the October 2 matinee.
 
Production sponsors are Beth and Alan Schaeffer, Morris Home Furnishings, ManagePoint, The AUGUST Angels, and CELIA, Wright State's Center for Collaborative Education and the Arts.
 
Founded in 1986, The Human Race Theatre Company moved to the Metropolitan Arts Center in 1991, taking up residence at the 219-seat Loft Theatre. In addition to the Eichelberger Loft Season, The Human Race produces for the Victoria Theatre's Broadway Series, the Musical Theatre Workshop series, and special event programming. The Human Race, under the direction of Artistic Director Marsha Hanna and Executive Director Kevin Moore, also maintains education and outreach programs for children, teens and adults, as well as artist residencies in area schools, The Muse Machine In-School Tour, Youth Summer Stock, and The Human Race Conservatory. Human Race organizational support is provided by Culture Works, Montgomery County Arts and Cultural District, Shubert Foundation and the Ohio Arts Council. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans.

 

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