Olympic Heights’ Theatre brought another stellar production to the stage; their rendition of August: Osage County surely set the bar high for future productions. August: Osage County, written by Tracy Letts, is a dark comedy focusing on the trials and tribulations of the Weston family during a time of desolation. The play follows Violet Weston (senior Leanna Accomando), a drug-addicted cancer patient who is abandoned by her husband, Beverly Weston (senior Michael Castellanos), at the hand of suicide. The conflicts run deeper as there are family secrets and inner quarrels that strain and test each family member, especially Barbara Weston (junior Kyla Kantor)—the oldest daughter in the family—who attempts to amend the family, but only stirs up more trouble.

August: Osage County is no Lion King; the play touches on topics that range from drug abuse, suicide, alcoholism, and molestation. That being said, for such a complex play to be done at a high school level is astounding in itself. The play has sixteen and seventeen year-old teenagers acting as grown adults with real world problems. Across the board, each and every character was dynamic. Each character had their own struggles and problems that affected each other. The inner conflicts bounced off each other in a manner that almost seemed effortless. What was more astounding was the passion and skill of the main lead, Leanna Accomando. Her portrayal of Violet was uncanny as she screamed and bellowed throughout her struggles in the family, causing havoc through the interactions between herself and her other family members. Ivy (senior Cassandra Poznak) and Barbara Weston both challenged their mother, and faced emotional and physical consequences in response. Physical interactions ensued in the form of slaps, attacks, and even broken plates.  It all added an underlying tension to the play that was almost palpable to the audience. 

The set was also noteworthy; constructed as a house that was cut in half, it gave the audience an intimate view of the Weston family. The set significantly boosted the plot as the audience was practically sitting in the living room of the house as the action unfolds. 

Overall, the drama department at Olympic Heights staged this dark play in an impeccable manner. The play itself had an underlying message of the importance of family, to which, through the numerous tribulations occurring throughout the play, the audience can relate. By the complexity of the play, the audience can connect to one major theme, be it a death of a family member or even strained relations in their own family, that allows them to take away the significance and meaning of family relationships. August: Osage County once again highlighted the brilliance and artistry at our local drama department.