A special event is set to honor Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Tracy Letts, known for his acclaimed works including August: Osage County and the current production Bug, which is running on Broadway. The festival, titled Twelve Hours With Tracy Letts, will take place on February 23 from 11 AM to 11 PM at Circle in the Square Theatre, with all proceeds supporting the Circle in the Square Theatre School.
This marathon reading festival is organized by Animus Theatre Company in partnership with the theatre school. Attendees can expect live readings of a variety of Letts’ works, including Killer Joe, Linda Vista, The Minutes, and Man From Nebraska. The event has garnered attention with the addition of several stars to its lineup. Renowned actors such as Abigail Breslin, Jeffrey DeMunn, Lisa Emery, Beanie Feldstein, Tony winner John Gallagher Jr., Carla Gugino, and many others will participate in this theatrical celebration. This builds on an already impressive list of talent that includes Gina Gershon, Katrina Lenk, Matthew Lillard, and Lily Rabe.
The Twelve Hours festival first took place in 2014, previously celebrating the contributions of playwrights such as Beth Henley and John Patrick Shanley. The initiative was recently renamed in honor of Alan Langdon, a valued member of the Animus Theatre Company and an influential figure in the Circle in the Square Theatre School.
Jonathan Judge-Russo, the Founding Artistic Director of Animus Theatre Company, expressed excitement for the event, highlighting the importance of featuring Letts’ works and paying tribute to Langdon’s legacy within the NYC theatre community. This festival aims not only to entertain but also to support one of New York’s essential conservatories.
Currently, Letts’ production of Bug, featuring Carrie Coon and Namir Smallwood, is being showcased at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre on Broadway. For those interested in attending the festival, full-day passes are available for $90 in advance and $100 at the door, while half-day passes cost $70 and $75, respectively, with special discounts for students and seniors.
This event promises to be a memorable celebration of theatrical artistry while contributing to the education of future performers and playwrights.