Will Eno and Tracy Letts                                                  photo by Nancy Carmpton

 

 

                                                             by Deirdre Donovan

 

What’s up with Tracy Letts nowadays?  In two words, a lot.  His latest play, Mary Page Marlowe, premiered at Steppenwolf Theatre Company in Chicago earlier this year and a revival of his 2003 play, Man from Nebraska, settles in at Second Stage this January.

 

Letts’ fans had an opportunity to get up close and personal with the celebrated actor-writer when Letts visited the 92^nd Street Y on December 5^th to read brief selections from his works.  In addition to his dramatic readings, Letts spoke about his life in the theater from his earliest days in Dallas working with community theater, to his years with Steppenwolf ensemble in Chicago, to his Broadway success.  Moderated by Will Eno, Letts cast a spell over the audience at the famous institution with his self-deprecating humor, wit, and charm. 

 

During the first part of the program, Letts drew on his formidable skills as an actor (Letts won the 2013 Tony Award for his searing performance as George in the revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?), breathing life into his own works, including The Stretch, August: Osage County, Mary Page Marlowe, and Man from Nebraska.  One could hear that proverbial pin drop as Letts’ fans listened to the artist infuse this and that vignette with emotional color.  Although he let each selection sound its own music, he also peppered in some astute comments or anecdotes that provided context or illuminated the work at hand.

 

The second half of the program was a lively tete-a-tete between Eno and Letts.  Eno pretty much gave Letts full rein in the conversation to talk about his journey as an actor-writer.  Letts began with his earliest memories of growing up in his native state of Oklahoma as the son of best-selling author Billie Letts and professor and actor Dennis Letts.  He gave his parents credit for steeping him in literature and drama as a youngster, and bringing him to the theater whenever possible. 

 

Still, success didn’t come easy to Letts.  Letts noted that he struggled as a young actor, waiting tables and telemarketing in Dallas as he cut his teeth in the local theater.  When he later relocated to Chicago and began working with the Steppenwolf ensemble, he confessed that he still lived on a lean budget.  Letts added that he “broke his vow of poverty” only after August:  Osage County put him on the map.  The play, which premiered at Steppenwolf in 2007, won both the Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award for Best Play in 2008.  Letts also wrote the screen play for the 2013 film adaptation, which starred Meryl Streep and other luminaries.

 

There was a lively Q & A with the audience at the close of the event. Most of the questions addressed to Letts focused on his craft as an actor or writer.  Although Letts admitted that developing one’s craft is essential to any artist, he confessed that what really drew him to the theater was that it was about storytelling.  Or as he aptly put it: “I’m a storyteller.  Writing a play and having a play performed is what I cherish.  These are the things I care about.”

 

Letts lingered after the event to greet audience members in the lobby of Buttenwieser Hall.  For those fans who wanted to take home a souvenir of the evening, there were copies of August: Osage County, Man from Nebraska, Killer Joe, and other Letts’ plays, just waiting to be signed by the author. 

 

One night only, December 5^th.

At Buttenwieser Hall, 92^nd Street Y, 1395 Lexington Avenue (at 92^nd Street), Manhattan.

For information on their upcoming programs, phone  (212) 415- 5500 or visit www.92y.org