BUG at Hyde Park Theatre

BUG by Tracy Letts
Directed By Mark Pickell
Capital T Theatre Production, Showing at Hyde Park Theatre
Extended to June 26th, 8:00PM Thursday – Saturday

Capital T Theatre delivers a fantastic performance of the disturbing and powerful production of BUG by Tracy Letts. Letts, a critically acclaimed award-winning playwright, has a penchant for giving his audiences insight about the lower depths of society. BUG is a tour de force performance that will leave a lasting impression long after the curtain call has ended.

BUG follows the story of two troubled souls from completely different walks of life. Agnes White (Katie deBuys) portrays an alienated cocktail waitress with a few skeletons in her closet. Agnes drowns her loneliness and haunting past with drugs and alcohol while hiding from her estranged ex-husband (Kenneth Wayne Bradley) in a seedy hotel on the outskirts of Oklahoma City. Things begin to change when her lesbian coworker RC (Melissa Recalde) introduces her to a man named Peter, (Joey Hood) an AWOL Gulf War veteran being tracked down by Dr Sweets (originally portrayed by Ken Webster, but due to an injury is substituted with Travis Dean). Peter is a paranoid schizophrenic whose insanity preys on Agnes’ vulnerability until it eventually leads to their demise.

BUG includes the same cast from Capital T’s production of Killer Joe, a play also written by Tracy Letts. Last summer Capital T premiered Killer Joe and it was hugely successful; selling out every night and ending with standing ovations. BUG will most likely not induce the same reaction from audiences due to some of the content. This is not a play for the weak stomach, the faint of heart, and most definitely not for children.  There is heavy portrayal of substance abuse, strong language, violence, and nudity.  The grittiness and sometimes crudeness of the performance may not appeal to everyone, but the brilliance of each actor’s performance is completely notable.

Now, if I could now step out of my reviewer role and say off the record that it’s incredibly refreshing to see a company with as much ballsy ambition as Capital T. I feel that this theatre is striving to bring Austin the very essence of theatre regardless of what is considered “appropriate.” This is theatre at its absolute best and raw form. From the scenic design (Mark Pickell & Tommy Grubbs), to the costumes (Cheryl Painter), sound (Adam Hilton), and or course acting this play will open your eyes and introduce you to some of the best talent in this city.

Check out BUG this weekend or before it ends June 26th. Seating is limited so get your tickets early. Also, check out their video trailer for BUG here and while you’re at it read up on the amazing cast. Be sure to click “I Like It” on Do512.com to make this part of your weekend schedule.