TIme for an August: Osage Revival?

The BWW article about the movie being backed on Netflix transported me back to 2007-08 and seeing the amazing Broadway cast four times.

That got me thinking about whether or not a revival could be sustained in a couple of years and who might make for an excellent cast.

Updated On: 4/28/21 at 07:29 PM

As much as I'd love to see it again, to me the big question is what would a revival bring that the original didn't? The original production was so brilliant in part because of the text but especially because of that incredible ensemble and the direction, design, etc. that augmented the show so perfectly. And I feel most productions since have tried to replicate that, but have not really succeeded in adding anything new to it which makes it seem just like a lesser version of the original production. So that would be my fear with this. I'd rather just have the memory of the original production than a lesser version of it that only reminds me of how great the original was.

We 100% need to erase the tragedy of the film adaptation with a fabulous revival

TotallyEffed said: "unclevictor said: "Yea just what we need - people sitting in a theatre watching a 4 hour play. Lol! Lol!"

What an irritating post."

You’re an irritating post

jvoom said: "aliceripleyofficial said: "We 100% need to erase the tragedy ofthe film adaptation with a fabulous revival"

I'm always surprised when people say they hated the film adaptation - I personally thought it was great albeit, I've never seen a professional production on stage. Why does it fall short?"

The major cuts to the script(over an hour) killed much of the character development(thus their relationships with one another) and the dramatic tension bubbling. The gasps and screams this show elicits when performed live is like nothing I've ever experienced with a straight play. Please read the play if you're not familiar.

John Wells's direction was also VERY weak and uninspired, not to mention the fact that he was clearly incapable of guiding a fleet of starry talent.

The film was a prime example of how bad directing can ruin a film. That material with that cast should have been dynamite, but the director didn't understand the story one bit, and so it really is quite dreadful.

Thankfully, in 2014, LA Theater Works recorded a radio-play version with much of the original cast, including Deanna Dunnagan, Rondi Reed, and the late Maryanne Mayberry. You can purchase it for $5 from Amazon or Audible. For me, while the recording doesn't get close as the amazing experience of seeing that play live, it captures a great deal of the greatness of that play and those original performances and helped wash away the taste of the misguided film. I promise I'm not a shill for LATW, but I think they're a really great company with an incredible catalogue that so many people don't know about.

jvoom said: "aliceripleyofficial said: "We 100% need to erase the tragedy ofthe film adaptation with a fabulous revival"

I'm always surprised when people say they hated the film adaptation - I personally thought it was great albeit, I've never seen a professional production on stage. Why does it fall short?"

I 100% agree with what others have said in that the comedy is missing. The movie is far too heavy handed and serious throughout, and on stage it is very much a dark comedy. I saw it with Estelle Parsons in the lead and it was such fun, the movie just isn't much fun.

There is an Audible version that was produced by LA Theatreworks that is available super cheap. The cast is made up of actors from the original Steppenwolf, Broadway, and touring productions. You lose the visuals that way, but the dialogue is brisk and delivered impeccably. I recommend that to at least get the flavor of the stage version.

Apologies, double post.

Updated On: 4/30/21 at 09:31 PM