August: Osage County question

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 9:36am

Why does everyone make such a big deal about the 3.5 hour runnng time?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 10:38am

Because the longest American play nowadays is 95 minutes long.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 11:23am

I'm just saying, longer stuff has played in New York. Nicholas Nickleby, The Coast of Utopia, and The Mahabharata come to mind. Why is 3.5 hours such a big deal?

Edit: And I just realized that these were all European imports. I see why it's a big deal now.

Updated On: 12/29/07 at 11:23 AM

[uncageg]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 3:48pm

And you don't even feel the long running time with Osage.

[thibodeaux]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 5:13pm

You really don't, it zips right by.

And there's SO MUCH action going on...

and you know, it's worth it just for the Act I and Act II endings/caps. They're AMAZING. I mean, the ending of the whole show is amazing, but...if there was ever a hook ending that made you want to come back for more, AUGUST has them. Lots of them.

[adamgreer]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 5:21pm

It shouldn't be, but it is because it seems as though most American plays nowadays are one act long, 90 minute affairs, with three actors, and a small set.

August is none of those things.

[Wanna Be A Foster]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 5:24pm

Not to mention that it doesn't take place 100+ years ago, like most shows with 3+ hours long running times nowadays.

[thibodeaux]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 5:33pm

Side question, anyone know roughly when the script will be available for purchase? I was in the Drama Book Shop a few weeks back and it wasn't there, though the show is still awfully new.

I bought BUG and KILLER JOE...great, great plays. Disturbing, screwy, messy and violent... but GREAT plays.

(Sorry to kind of divert this to a Tracy Letts question...)

[edit: ugh, nevermind. http://www.amazon.com/August-Osage-County-Tracy-Letts/dp/1559363304/ref=pd_bbs_sr_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1198967816&sr=8-1

Updated On: 12/29/07 at 05:33 PM

[BrookArtsCenter]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 8:39pm

Actually the link brings you to a pre-order page. The date of publication has not yet been announced.

I look forward to it, too. And, yes, the 3hrs and 20min goes by very quickly -- both times I've seen the show.

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 8:41pm

Either April 1 or 15. 15 sticks out for some reason.

[Just_John]

Posted: 12/29/07 at 11:04pm

Does this play have student rush?

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 12:15am

Yes it does. I went during previews when the box office opened and got front row of the rear mezzanine for $26.50. The view was great given the size of the set.

[Caroline-Q-or-TBoo]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 12:48am

enthralling play. just enthralling.

[Testing1232]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 2:52pm

I was by the theatre shortly after the box office opened today, and it was PACKED !!! (and by the looks of it, not that many people there for student rush) -

Show has created quite a buzz !!! It it true that they cant extend? (think I read that on the ATC boards, due to the time needed to get the theatre ready for "Billy Elliot")

Cant wait to see it again !

[frogs_fan85]

Posted: 12/30/07 at 3:26pm

I think Smaxie posted recently that because of Billy Elliot, August couldn't extend past May 11th.