August: Osage County @TheArtsClub (theatre review)

Theatrical performances at their best. Spectacularly well done. Impeccable acting and flawless storytelling. That’s how I would summarize August: Osage County. I recently went to see the wonderful production August: Osage County at the Stanley Theatre, invited by The Arts Club. I’ve been always keen on plays that portray dysfunctional families. I don’t think mine is particularly dysfunctional (much to the contrary, it’s a pretty normal family) but I can always see family conflict as fodder for good stories.

Directed by acclaimed actress and director Janet Wright, the Arts Club production features an all-star cast led by Shaw Festival veteran Nora McLellan as the Weston matriarch, with Karin Konoval, Megan Leitch, and Wendy Noel as the daughters caught in the family tumult.

By Tracy Letts. Director Janet Wright. Starring Sean Allan, Mackenzie Gray, Karin Konoval, Megan Leitch, Brian Linds, Gerry Mackay, Susinn McFarlen, Nora McLellan, John Murphy, Wendy Noel, Quelemia Sparrow, Anais West, Andrew Wheeler. Set Designer Ted Roberts. Costume Designer Barbara Clayden. Lighting Designer Marsha Sibthorpe. Sound Designer Brian Linds. Stage Manager Caryn Fehr. Assistant Stage Manager Ronaye Haynes.

August: Osage County tells the story of a controlling, domineering, dysfunctional mother to three daughters who have, on their own, enough problems already and aren’t particularly thrilled with having to deal with the death of their father and how that will affect their matriarch’s future. Amazingly, despite the fact that it’s a black humour play, August: Osage County manages to make audiences laugh ALL. THE. TIME.

While the play touches on somewhat taboo topics, and may make audiences squirm at two or three points during the play, this is perhaps one of the best demonstrations of fine acting I’ve seen since Glengarry Glenn Ross (also staged at the Stanley and also an Arts Club production). How do you escape the iron ruling of a controlling parent when you have to deal with your own personal issues and dilemmas? That’s one of the central themes I saw permeating throughout the play.

Nora McLellan is absolutely, entirely and totally spectacular. She steals the show, despite very, very strong performances by the rest of the cast. Megan Leitch, Wendy Noel, Karin Konoval are impeccable as the three sisters, none of whom wants to really take care of their mother but feel inexplicably attached to her. Konoval particularly makes her role as Barbara, the oldest sister (from what I can tell, not sure if she’s the oldest but she does behave like the older one) who needs to confront how she feels about her father (who is now deceased) and her mother (who continues to want to control her).

August: Osage County is a powerful examination of modern times’ dysfunctional families. A superb work of acting and a wonderful production you should totally check out. Because it is certainly worth it.