Bug (play)

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For other uses, see Bug (disambiguation).
Bug
Written by Tracy Letts
Characters Peter Evans
Agnes White
Jerry Goss
Dr. Sweet
R.C.
Pizza guy
Date premiered 20 September 1996
Place premiered London, England
Original language English
Subject  
Genre Black comedy
Setting Oklahoma, USA

Bug is a play by American playwright Tracy Letts. It was adapted into a film in 2006.

Contents

[edit] Synopsis

Most of the play takes place in a seedy motel room. The story tells about the alienated 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 bombing, cult suicides, and then secret government experiment on soldiers. The play deals with the issues of love, paranoia, government conspiracy, and Agnes' slow descent into insanity at the hands of the psychotic Peter.

[edit] Production history

[edit] London premiere

The play originally premiered at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill, London, England on September 20, 1996.[1] The rehearsals were at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago, Illinois.[2]

[edit] 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. [2]

  • 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

[edit] Off-Broadway

Amanda Plummer resigned from the Off-Broadway premiere 24 hours before its February 21 start date.[4] A notice in the theater box office warned that the show contained nudity, violence and cigarette smoking.[5]

[edit] Film adaptation

Main article: Bug (2006 film)

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".[6] 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.

[edit] Awards and nominations

Awards
Nominations

[edit] References

  1. ^ Financial Times: "Bug, Gate Theatre, London W11, Opened 20 September, 1996" (review by Ian Shuttleworth)
  2. ^ a b PerformInk.com: "Bug, Killer Joe's Dysfunctional Relation, Makes its Midwest Debut at A Red Orchid", by Lucia Mauro
  3. ^ Talkingbroadway.com Bug (review by Matthew Murray)
  4. ^ About: Theater (Feb. 24, 2004): "Bug Out", by Maria Knapp
  5. ^ Newyorkcool.com: Bug (review by Wendy R. Williams)
  6. ^ National Public Radio

[edit] Further reading

  • Letts, Tracy (2006). Bug: A Play. Evanston, Illinois: Northwestern University Press. p. 93 p. ISBN 0810123487. 

[edit] External links

Bug at the Internet off-Broadway Database

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