Why I Love Theater: Reason #48

August: Osage County is the biggest show in Chicago right now and I saw it last weekend.  The run is sold out, so I got a standby ticket (#27 on line) and nabbed a seat in the back corner.

It’s fantastic of course.  It's a dysfunctional family drama with that brutal, drag down type of script the Steppenwolf tends to do so well.  It's been compared to O'Neill and Albee, but it's not… it’s Tracy Letts.  R-rated, heart rending, and utterly hilarious at the least expected moments.

We got a few bonus laughs Friday night during an irreplicable, live theater moment:

A perverted uncle has been trying to get into his 14-year old niece’s pants (told you this was R-rated). By Act III, he’s gotten her high and is getting aggressive.

He: come on, I'll show you mine if you show me yours
(Audience gasps)
She: I don't want to see yours.
(Light audience laughter)
He: Well…

Then someone in the last row finally gets the joke and bursts in hysterics.

Then the rest of the audience laughs at her.

Then the actors start laughing at her.

Then the audience laughts.

Then the actors can’t control themselves.

Now the audience can’t control themselves, cheering ensues.

Then we calmed down.

And the show went on.