In a compelling revival at the Manhattan Theatre Club, Steppenwolf’s acclaimed production of Tracy Letts’ Bug immerses audiences in a haunting exploration of paranoia and the fragility of human relationships. The play, originally penned in the wake of the Oklahoma City bombing in 1996, finds new relevance in today’s chaotic climate. The story unfolds within the confines of a rundown Oklahoma motel room, where cocktail waitress Agnes, played by Carrie Coon, and her Gulf War vet companion Peter, portrayed by Namir Smallwood, become ensnared in their spiraling descent into conspiracy and madness.
Agnes is emblematic of vulnerability, grappling with her past while engaging in substance use with her friend R.C. (Jennifer Engstrom) and evading the menace of her recently paroled ex-husband, Jerry (Steve Key). The arrival of Peter, who begins to see bugs—perhaps a manifestation of true horrors or mere delusions—shifts Agnes’ reality, igniting a shared descent into fear and paranoia as they confront the uncertainty of their world.
This production’s direction by David Cromer showcases the raw intensity that characterized the early days of Steppenwolf’s ensemble, allowing the actors to deliver poignant performances that resonate deeply with contemporary audiences. Coon’s portrayal of Agnes dives into the psyche of a woman driven to seek absurd explanations for her suffering. Smallwood’s performance as Peter enhances this dynamic, providing a layer of complexity as he channels real historical trauma, notably invoking the Tuskegee experiments, bringing a personal touch to his character’s paranoid spiral.
Supporting performances from Engstrom and Key, along with the creative direction of Cromer, further amplify the production’s impact. The eerie lighting by Heather Gilbert and a disturbing soundscape by Josh Schmidt heighten the tension, while Takeshi Kata’s set design vividly captures the unsettling atmosphere of a transient motel.
While there are minor pacing issues in the opening scene and the finale could benefit from a sharper impact, such critiques do little to undermine the profound truths this revival uncovers. Bug ultimately illustrates how easily we can fall prey to enticing narratives spun by strangers, underscoring a raw human experience of fear and the desperate pursuit of certainty in an unreliable world. As audiences navigate this chilling theatrical journey, they are reminded that the boundaries between reality and delusion are perilously thin.