August: Osage County

With a keen ear for the Southern drawl, this sharply written play gets a stellar presentation by L.A. Theatre Works. Set over the course of several weeks, the play follows the Weston family as they are pulled back to their Oklahoma homestead in the wake of a tragedy. With uncontrolled ferocity, this dysfunctional family proceeds to bicker and battle, belittle and besmirch each other with every emotional weapon in their considerable armory. At its heart is Momma Violet, played to shrewish perfection by Deanna Dunagan: her drug-induced, nonstop vitriolic pronouncements and revelations are alternately painful and hilarious in their delivery, and the reactions and interactions of the excellent cast are just as well developed and delivered. Robert Pine, as patriarch Beverly Weston, practically steals the show in the opening scene%E2%80%94which is a touching and laugh-out-loud performance, perfectly delivered and totally indicative of the richly textured performances of the tragic comedy that follows. (Oct.)