After reading Tracy Lett’s August: Osage County (and watching the movie), I decided to read more of Tracy Letts’s plays. To my surprise, I discovered Superior Donuts (2010). I’ve never watched the TV version starring Judd Hirsch and Jermaine Fowler. But after reading the play, I know the TV series has to be a very sugar-coated version of the original production. Then Superior Donuts was put on a local stage by a regional drama group so Diane and I got to see the play performed.
Aging hippy Arthur Przybyszewski arrives at his failing Uptown Chicago donut shop (a Starbucks has just opened across the street) and finds someone has broken his window and spray-painted PUSSY on the wall. Franco Wicks, an African-American college dropout, shows up and applies for a job. Arthur reluctantly agrees. Their relationship swirls around the problems and secrets each man hides. Issues of race, class, and personal decisions power this play.
Where August: Osage County explored a dysfunctional family, Superior Donuts explores the highs and lows of personal relationships with some humor thrown in. I enjoyed seeing a performance of Superior Donuts. GRADE: B+
I also read Tracy Letts’s Bug (2006), a story about paranoia and conspiracy. Not to my taste. Bug became a movie with Ashley Judd, Michael Shannon, and Harry Connick, Jr. It was directed by William Friedkin. I haven’t seen it…nor want to. GRADE: C-
I don’t remember the tv series. It must of been short lived. Not a Judd Hirsch fan anyways. I have seen Bug. The movie is a unpleasant watch although very well acted by Michael Shannon.
Steve, you’re right about BUG being unpleasant.
I think I mentioned on a recent email chain that I’m baffled by the amount of love Tracy Letts received. Everything I’ve seen by him is so obvious. Although their styles are dissimilar, Letts reminds me of Neil LaBute in that regard: lots of critical praise for saying obvious things in an obvious way.
Deb, I know what you mean about Tracy Letts. Critics love him. Perhaps the lack of young play-writers and successful original plays give established figures like Letts a leg up.
Not as bad as LaBute – to me at least – whose name on a project assures I will never watch it. We liked the play version of OSAGE COUNTY a lot. Great acting. We also saw the Broadway production of SUPERIOR DONUTS, which, while not close to the same class, was entertaining enough in its own (yes, as Deb said) obvious way. Arthur was played (very well) by Michael (Spinal Tap) McKean. (As an aside to Deb: did you know McKean has been married to Annette O’Toole for 20 years?)
Jeff, I was surprised at the number of audience members who showed up on a sunny Sunday afternoon for SUPERIOR DONUTS. Not a subtle play, but clearly it appeals to a mass audience.
Meh.
I saw SUPERIOR DONUTS a few years ago and enjoyed it. BUG was pretty scary.
Patti, the audience liked SUPERIOR DONUTS. There was plenty of laughter during the play and applause at the end.
I do, however, like doughnuts.
Rick, what’s your favorite doughnut?