Chicago Theater Vets Bring 'Bug' Back to Broadway in Revival Staged at Samuel J. Friedman Theatre
Tracy Letts, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Steppenwolf Ensemble member, has revived his critically acclaimed play "Bug" on Broadway, bringing with it themes of paranoia, delusion, and conspiracy theories that continue to resonate in today's society.
Written 30 years ago, the original production was influenced by urban legends passed down through word of mouth. Letts, who penned the Pulitzer Prize-winning "August: Osage County," stated that the play's themes were relevant at a specific moment when conspiracy theories became more integrated into mainstream culture. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood, both Chicago theater veterans.
"Bug" is a chilling tale of psychological deterioration and shared delusion, centered around two individuals isolated in an Oklahoma motel room whose grip on reality slowly unravels as they succumb to paranoia. Letts drew inspiration from the psychological condition "folie à deux," or madness of two, which refers to the passing of delusions between people.
According to Letts, the play is a love story that explores themes of isolation and the power of shared psychosis. When asked about his creative process, Letts stated that he aimed to find a common ground with his audience by making the characters relatable and identifiable. He also acknowledged that writing anything as a playwright is gratifying when it still speaks to people years later.
The revival marks an interesting moment in time given the prevalence of conspiracy theories and social media's role in disseminating misinformation. Letts stated that he believes this combination, coupled with our ability to spread "madness from person to person," makes "Bug" a plot that remains relevant today.
To celebrate his work, Tracy Letts will be starring in a marathon festival titled "Twelve Hours with Tracy Letts" at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York later this month. The event features staged readings of his work over the years, including "August: Osage County" and "Killer Joe."
In one notable aspect of the production, Carrie Coon brings a unique Midwestern pragmatism to her portrayal of Agnes. Letts commented on how this quality complements the character's transformation throughout the play, citing Coon's physicality as essential in bringing the feral edge required for the role.
As "Bug" continues to captivate audiences on Broadway, it serves as a poignant reminder that the themes of paranoia and delusion are timeless. With its thought-provoking storytelling and talented cast, this revival is sure to leave viewers engaged and questioning our own perceptions of reality.
Tracy Letts, a Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright and Steppenwolf Ensemble member, has revived his critically acclaimed play "Bug" on Broadway, bringing with it themes of paranoia, delusion, and conspiracy theories that continue to resonate in today's society.
Written 30 years ago, the original production was influenced by urban legends passed down through word of mouth. Letts, who penned the Pulitzer Prize-winning "August: Osage County," stated that the play's themes were relevant at a specific moment when conspiracy theories became more integrated into mainstream culture. The show features a talented ensemble cast, including Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood, both Chicago theater veterans.
"Bug" is a chilling tale of psychological deterioration and shared delusion, centered around two individuals isolated in an Oklahoma motel room whose grip on reality slowly unravels as they succumb to paranoia. Letts drew inspiration from the psychological condition "folie à deux," or madness of two, which refers to the passing of delusions between people.
According to Letts, the play is a love story that explores themes of isolation and the power of shared psychosis. When asked about his creative process, Letts stated that he aimed to find a common ground with his audience by making the characters relatable and identifiable. He also acknowledged that writing anything as a playwright is gratifying when it still speaks to people years later.
The revival marks an interesting moment in time given the prevalence of conspiracy theories and social media's role in disseminating misinformation. Letts stated that he believes this combination, coupled with our ability to spread "madness from person to person," makes "Bug" a plot that remains relevant today.
To celebrate his work, Tracy Letts will be starring in a marathon festival titled "Twelve Hours with Tracy Letts" at the Circle in the Square Theatre School in New York later this month. The event features staged readings of his work over the years, including "August: Osage County" and "Killer Joe."
In one notable aspect of the production, Carrie Coon brings a unique Midwestern pragmatism to her portrayal of Agnes. Letts commented on how this quality complements the character's transformation throughout the play, citing Coon's physicality as essential in bringing the feral edge required for the role.
As "Bug" continues to captivate audiences on Broadway, it serves as a poignant reminder that the themes of paranoia and delusion are timeless. With its thought-provoking storytelling and talented cast, this revival is sure to leave viewers engaged and questioning our own perceptions of reality.
! The way Tracy Letts explores the blurring of reality and delusion is super thought-provoking, especially in today's world where misinformation spreads like wildfire. I think Carrie Coon's Midwestern pragmatism really adds depth to her character Agnes - it's like she's this normal, down-to-earth person who gets pulled into this crazy world of paranoia 
. The fact that the play is still resonating 30 years on is a testament to Letts' skill as a writer, and I'm excited to see how this revival will make me feel all squishy inside 
it's like tracy letts took all the anxiety & paranoia from 2023 and put it in a play that's been around for like 30 years lol what's even crazier is how relevant it still is today 
can't wait to check out tracy letts' "twelve hours with tracy letts" festival later this month! 
. It sounds like it's all about how easily people can start believing crazy stuff and then spreading it around to others 
. The way the writer, Tracy Letts, is saying that it's still relevant today because of social media is kinda mind-blowing 
. I mean, who hasn't seen a conspiracy theory go viral online at some point? It makes me think about how we consume information and whether it's true or not 
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. It sounds like she really helps to make the character's transformation more believable and nuanced 
. And I'm excited to check out Tracy Letts' festival where he'll be performing some of his other works 
. It's gonna be interesting to see how "Bug" plays out on Broadway again 
On the other hand, maybe it's just what we need right now – a reminder of how crazy some people can get when they're not thinking clearly 
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. The idea that a play written in '95 can still resonate today with people's fears about conspiracy theories 
is pretty wild. It makes me wonder if the themes are getting more pronounced or just being amplified by social media 
. And Tracy Letts' process of making characters relatable and identifiable really resonates with me 
. Can't wait to catch "Twelve Hours with Tracy Letts" and hear some insights from him 
, like we're living in a world where conspiracy theories are just a whisper away from being mainstream. it's wild how letts says "bug" is still speaking to people 30 yrs later... that's some powerful storytelling right there 
just saw the trailer for 'Bug' revival on Broadway and I'm lowkey intrigued 
, how do we know what's real anymore? 
.
. Meanwhile, the writers just get to reap the rewards and make a name for themselves... like Tracy Letts thinks he's some kinda genius for tapping into our collective delusions 
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. Where's the representation for people who actually live with these conditions? 
. Like, we're all just trying to figure out what's real and what's not, but in a world where misinformation spreads like wildfire, it's hard to know what to believe 
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. It makes me wonder - can we ever truly trust what we see on social media or watch in movies? Is reality just an illusion created by our own minds? 
. I'm all about exploring more of his work and learning from talented playwrights like him 
meanwhile, the cast is on point 
namir smallwood as abby is giving me all the feels 
but can we talk about how this production isn't addressing the elephant in the room... what about the consequences of spreading misinformation? 
anyway, i'm def gonna check out "twelve hours with tracy letts" 
. Anyways, Carrie Coon is awesome in this role, she brings a lot of Midwestern vibe that makes Agnes kinda relatable...I guess? Letts said he aimed for common ground with his audience which I can get on board with but also feels kinda watered down, you know? The whole concept of folie à deux is actually really interesting tho, like how two people's delusions become one.