Tracy Letts’ BUG at MSU’s Arena Theatre is, as they say, “not for everyone” (adult language/situations, drug use.) It's a powerful experience, showcasing two “stars” of the MSU theatre making their last local performance, in their “final thesis roles.” Jacqueline Wheeler is “Agnes” and Zev Steinberg is “Peter".
Anyone who has seen August Osage County knows that this playwright does not specialize in pretty stories. This one starts slowly and spirals into a drug-crazed paranoid schizophrenia. It is also a story about “trust” as Rob Roznowski’s director’s notes say — trust reached through two damaged people seeing each other’s pain.
After seeing Zev in True West, I knew the high level of intensity he’s capable of — and Jacqueline was his match in this show. It was impressive and a little frightening to watch these two fully inhabit these challenging characters. Imani Bonner was also convincing as Agnes’s friend R. C., and Jake Samson was Agnes's appropriately formidable ex-husband.
The Arena was turned into a trashy hotel room, where we could magically see through the walls, though they still worked as barriers. Light and sound effects magnified the experience. (Set, Melissa Hunter, Lighting Kenzie Carpenter, sound Will McGee) (Kudos to the crew faced with the formidable task of returning the set to its original state after the show.)
Post show discussion on mental health awareness Thursday April 2.
Show continues:
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 7:30pm
Friday, April 3, 2015 at 8:00pm
Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 2:00pm
You can get your tickets at the box office on the Farm Lane end of the Auditorium building, and go downstairs to the Arena. Tickets are also available from the Wharton Center Box Office; 1.800.WHARTON; www.whartoncenter.com.
General Admission $10
Anyone who has seen August Osage County knows that this playwright does not specialize in pretty stories. This one starts slowly and spirals into a drug-crazed paranoid schizophrenia. It is also a story about “trust” as Rob Roznowski’s director’s notes say — trust reached through two damaged people seeing each other’s pain.
After seeing Zev in True West, I knew the high level of intensity he’s capable of — and Jacqueline was his match in this show. It was impressive and a little frightening to watch these two fully inhabit these challenging characters. Imani Bonner was also convincing as Agnes’s friend R. C., and Jake Samson was Agnes's appropriately formidable ex-husband.
The Arena was turned into a trashy hotel room, where we could magically see through the walls, though they still worked as barriers. Light and sound effects magnified the experience. (Set, Melissa Hunter, Lighting Kenzie Carpenter, sound Will McGee) (Kudos to the crew faced with the formidable task of returning the set to its original state after the show.)
Post show discussion on mental health awareness Thursday April 2.
Show continues:
Wednesday, April 1, 2015 at 7:30pm
Thursday, April 2, 2015 at 7:30pm
Friday, April 3, 2015 at 8:00pm
Saturday, April 4, 2015 at 2:00pm
You can get your tickets at the box office on the Farm Lane end of the Auditorium building, and go downstairs to the Arena. Tickets are also available from the Wharton Center Box Office; 1.800.WHARTON; www.whartoncenter.com.
General Admission $10
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