Bug (play)

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This article is about the play. For the film based on the play, see Bug (2007 film). For other uses, see Bug (disambiguation).

Bug is a play written by Tracy Letts, a darkly comic Psycho-Thriller with pieces of terror and humor. Most of the action takes place in a seedy motel room. The story tells about cocktail waitress Agnes, her violent ex-con ex-husband Jerry Goss who she is hiding from, her lesbian biker friend R.C. who introduces her to (possible AWOL Gulf War veteran) Peter. She gets involved with Peter, who begins to rant about the war in Iraq, UFOs, the Oklahoma City bombings, cult suicides, and then secret government experiment on soldiers. The play tells of love, paranoia, and government conspiracy. The play contains violence and nudity.

1 Production history
- 1.1 London premiere
- 1.2 Off-Broadway
2 Awards
3 Film
4 References

[edit] Production history

[edit] London premiere

The play originally premiered at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill, London, England on September 20, 1996.
Shannon Cochran - Agnes
Michael Shannon - Peter

[edit] Off-Broadway

Barrow Street Theatre, NYC
Opening Date: February 29, 2004
Closing Date: January 30, 2005
Director: Dexter Bullard
Shannon Cochran - Agnes
Michael Shannon - Peter
Michael Cullen - Jerry
Amy Landecker - R.C.
Reed Birney - Dr. Sweet^[1]

Amanda Plummer resigned from the Off-Broadway premiere twenty-four hours before its February 21 start date.^[2] In the theatre there were an advertisement in the ticket office warning that the show contained nudity, violence and cigarette smoking.^[3]

[edit] Awards

2003-2004 Obie Award winner: Outstanding Performance - The acting company of Bug - Shannon Cochran, Michael Shannon, Michael Cullen, Amy Landecker, Reed Birney
2003-2004 Obie Award winner: Outstanding Design team - The design team of Bug - Lauren Helpern (sets), Tyler Micoleau (lights), Brian Ronan (sound), Kim Gill (costumes), Faye Armon (props)
2004 Theatre World Award winner - Shannon Cochran
2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Actress in a Play - Shannon Cochran
2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Director of a Play - Dexter Bullard
2004 Drama Desk Award nomination: Outstanding Sound Designer - Brian Ronan ^[4]

[edit] Film

Main article: Bug (2007 film)

A film version of the play is scheduled to be released in 2007 from Lionsgate. It is directed by William Friedkin, and the film is starring Ashley Judd, Harry Connick, Jr and Michael Shannon. Friedkin contacted Tracy Letts after having seen the play, and they did a screen play of it. Friedkin describes the film as "the most intense piece of work I've ever done". [1] Michael Shannon played the part on stage, but Lionsgate wanted to have a "bigger name" in the film, however Friedkin was determined to have Shannon in the film. The film is promoted from Lionsgate as a horror film, but actor Ashley Judd describes it as a black comedy/psychological thriller.