Will 'Superior Donuts' live up to 'Osage County'?

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 2/11/08 at 4:24pm

SUPERIOR DONUTS, Tracy Letts' newest work, directed by Amy Morton, begins previews in Chicago on June 19.

The burning question - will it live up to the now-prolific AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY? Have any playwrights been able to 'top' such a success?

The plot seems interesting -
"Arthur Pryzbyszewski owns a decrepit donut shop in the Uptown neighborhood of Chicago. Franco Wicks, a black teenager who is his only employee, wants to change the shop for the better. Steppenwolf concludes the season with acclaimed ensemble member Tracy Letts' provocative world premiere comedy about the challenges of embracing the past and the redemptive power of friendship."

Thoughts?

http://www.steppenwolf.org/boxoffice/productions/index.aspx?id=425

[scaryclowns223]

Posted: 2/11/08 at 5:46pm

It doesn't have the type of scope that August:Osage County does. I mean, it's basically a two-character play, very intimate, while August: Osage County deals with a lot of group family dynamics. Thus, it's likely to be a different play, one that would play much better off-Broadway and regionally.

However, if it's anything like "Man from Nebraska", it'll be great. Tracy's talented, and he has a great ear for dialogue. AUGUST was very much a break in his traditional writing style, and it works, but I think he probably enjoys writing smaller pieces much more.

[Heybeenfood]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 1:04am

Just saw it this week at Steppenwolf, and while it was a huge let-down, it was still great fun.

Anyone know if there are plans for a transfer?

[winston89]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 1:15am

I wonder. Did you think that it was a let down because it just wasn't that good overall? Or did you think that it was a let down because you went in expecting the next August:Osage County and was let down when that wasn't what you got?


I think that this is one of Lett's smaller plays. I haven't yet read Man From Nebraska but I have heard good things. I never saw Bug Off Broadway and wonder if the movie is worth watching?

I think that if anything it might get a run off Broadway just looking at the size of this play. I am sure this play might do fine off Broadway because his name means something to NYC theatre goers and that alone might sell tickets.

[KJisgroovy]

Posted: 8/14/08 at 1:50am

It's NOT basically a two character play, if anything the play belongs to Michael Mckean's character... but it too is an ensemble piece.

August isn't really a break in his writing style, it seems to be the combination of Killer Joe and Man From Nebraska. In fact, there is a clear through line between the three plays. If anything, Bug (and Superior Donuts) is the break. Certainly it's trashy and intense... but no family dynamic... it's mostly a two-hander, not dependent on the ensemble... no attempt at large themes.

"I think that this is one of Lett's smaller plays. I haven't yet read Man From Nebraska but I have heard good things. I never saw Bug Off Broadway and wonder if the movie is worth watching?"

In this paragraph... are these sentences supposed to make sense together or are they separate thoughts? It IS a small play, but Man From Nebraska is not. In the production at the Steppenwolf... The Man From Nebraska was an IMMENSE play, on par in scope with August, if not quite the same intensity. The movie of Bug IS worth watching but cannot match the intensity of seeing it live. And the performance of Ashley Judd, which is very good, does not compare to the performance of Shannon Cochran.

The best comparison for Superior Donuts might be something like Lost in Yonkers... funny, touching, but ultimately slight and cliched. I don't think it works as well as Lost in Yonkers... some plot holes... not quite realistic... sort of a cheat ending... but it has the same overall "gentle" impact.

If I were to call it a let down, I would do so not because it doesn't compare to August but because it is so slight. Saying that, it is not an embarrassing addition to his body of work. It is very enjoyable. Though, it is very strongly set in Chicago, with many jokes that only people from Chicago would understand... I'm not sure how well it would play in New York.


kmc

Updated On: 8/14/08 at 01:50 AM