Little Charles's Song (AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY)

Perhaps because the more striking/memorable elements of the show overwhelm it, but I can't recall a single review (or board-poster, but I could be wrong) mentioning the moment in AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY when Little Charles plays his song he wrote for Ivy on the harmonium.

Seeing the show again yesterday reminded me what a powerful, moving moment it is. Not only is it a representation of the one untarnished, unabashedly loving relationship on display, it's also perhaps the single moment of serene quiet in the whole three and a half hours.

Until Mattie Fae interrupts with "Liberace, get yourself together, we're heading back," it's really our only moment bereft of striking revelations, uproarious laughter or overwhelming sadness. I was just wondering if it struck as much of a chord for anyone else, as I never really hear mention made of it...

Updated On: 8/29/08 at 07:42 PM

It's in the script in that they mention that Little Charles plays and sings a song. What song is not mentioned. No lyrics, no music.

Guess it's director's choice. Odd...

I'd recommend they go with what Shapiro chose.

I loved the song, especially the way geeky, huge-headed but weirdly sexy Ian Barford sang it.

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"Although it is quite a tender moment, I actually find that it is the one time that the forward momentum of the play comes to an almost complete stop."

Just curious, is that necessarily a negative thing? To me, it's the one time we get to take a breather, a break from emotional exhaustion, and it's almost impossibly moving as such... until later revelations render it more sad than happy.

I didn't say it was a negative thing.