An "Osage" Longshot- Page 2

[defyingravity07]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:21pm

HOLY HELL she played Bev? That is something to see.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:32pm

Rondi Reed is leaving to return to Wicked in Chicago... as is clearly stated in many of the above posts.

The rest, I think, wanted to get back to Chicago. Deana Dunagan said in a Tribune article, I think, that she didn't really want to go to New York anyway... that she only went to serve the show. Chicago lore says that Deana Dunagan is kinda a crazy, in that she does whatever she wants. Anyway, in the article she sounded like she made the trip to NYC reluctantly. Jeff Perry does a lot of work with the school at Steppenwolf West and Steppenwolf Chicago... so... it's possible he's teaching a scene study class over the summer. Ian Barford and Fran Guinan... well... who knows... maybe they're just over it.

Anyway. I would be worried about how the new ensemble will mesh, too. But, they are all professionals... and quite taleneted... and I must say that I saw the fourth preview of August in Chicago... so, like fourth performance ever... and the ensemble work was top notch even then... so... I think you should be ok seeing the replacements.


kmc

[Sondheim_Geek]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:33pm

Well, they've been doing it for almost a year now, and it's certainly a draining show. I'm just saying that it's such a pity with the timing and all. On Tuesday, where the energy should be PHENOMINAL with cast unity and all will be off because of the huge departures.

Deanna Dunagan, Rondi Reed, Francis Guinan, Ian Barford, and Jeff Perry all played their last performance on Sunday.

[DrewBill]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:41pm

Yes, from what I have heard, "August" is an especially draining show for the cast, especially Deana Dunagan. I'm actually surprised they lasted as long as they did.

Estelle Parsons is a great actress, but it will be interesting to see how long she lasts in the role given her age (80). It's a very demanding part. (Ms. Dunagan is in her late 60s.)

[DBillyP]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 5:47pm

I should clarify; I am very excited to see the show and think that it likely is still a "must see." I simply am disappointed.

[Patash]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 6:21pm

DBillyP, thanks for your explanation. It makes a lot of sense. I just saw the original post as being like people who walk out of a show when they announce an understudy -- and they sometimes miss phenomenal performances.

My friends tell me that while the winning performances were indeed great -- the real joy is the play itself, and these roles were almost destined for award giving -- provided they were well done, which they were.

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:08pm

"Molly Regan is a member of the Steppenwolf ensemble. She is no more a movie star than Sally Murphy or Jeff Perry."

Yes, but Jeff Perry has street cred for being on Grey's Anatomy.




please understand the sarcasm in the above sentence.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 6/16/08 at 8:40pm

They left, because they've already been doing the show far longer than they thought they would. August was supposed to be a limited run that was going to close in March. Here we are in mid-June and it's still going strong.

Don't forget, also, many of these actors call Chicago home, and were probably ready to return home after being away almost a year.