The REP Presents AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, 9/7-23

The REP, Point Park University's professional theatre company, launches its 2012 - 2013 season at the Pittsburgh Playhouse on September 7th with a pillar of modern drama, August: Osage County by Tracy Letts. The recipient of the Pulitzer Prize and five Tony Awards in 2008, August: Osage County runs Sept. 7 through Sept. 23; John Shepard directs.

Letts' August: Osage County is a wild ride that tells the story of the Westons, a hysterical yet horrifically dysfunctional clan that comes together at their Oklahoma home when the patriarch disappears. Forced to confront unspoken truths and secrets, the family must also contend with Violet, a pill-popping, deeply unsettled woman at the center of this storm. Los Angeles Times says it is "sensationally entertaining…a feast for actors and audiences alike." Time Magazine named it the "#1 Show of the Year!" Described by Variety as a "very juicy…epic evening…( a) richly entertaining dysfunctional-family juggles the hilarious, the poignant and the appalling on a scale seldom seen," August: Osage County is a tale brimming with savory characters told with unremitting honesty.

The REP's production of August: Osage County features John Amplas as Beverly Weston, Mary Rawson as Violet Weston, Kathleen Turco-Lyon as Barbara Fordham, Elizabeth Ruelas as Ivy Weston, Meghan Malloy as Karen Weston, David Whalen as Bill Fordham, Courtney Neville as Jean Fordham, Mark D. Staley as Steve Heidebrecht, Sharon Brady as Mattie Fae Aiken, Weston Blakesley as Charlie Aiken, Dennis Schebetta as "Little" Charles Aiken, Erika Cuenca as Johnna Monevata and Paul Reynolds as Sheriff Deon Gilbeau.

Scenic design is by Stephanie Mayer-Staley; costume design is by Michael Montgomery; lighting design is by Andrew David Ostrowski; sound design is by StEve Shapiro; Janet Madelle Feindel is dialect coach; and Randy Kovitz is fight director.

August: Osage County previews on Thursday, Sept. 6, and runs from Friday, Sept. 7 through Sunday, Sept. 23 in the Rauh Theater. Performances are Thursday – Saturday at 8 p.m. and Saturday - Sunday at 2 p.m. Dunkin' Donuts is sponsoring a talkback on Friday, Sept. 14, 2012.

The REP 2012 - 2013 season subscriptions-which save patrons up to 35% off single ticket prices-are available now. Subscriber perks also include an invitation to Point Park University's exclusive season-opening party, a fourth subscription free when three are purchased, and other benefits.

Individual tickets range in price from $24 to $27. Preview tickets are $15. To order a season subscription or purchase individual tickets, contact the Pittsburgh Playhouse box office by phone 412-392-8000 or online www.pittsburghplayhouse.com.

Patrons can take advantage of "pay what you will" on Saturday, Sept. 8 for the 2 p.m. performance.