You’d think everyone interesting had gone out of town by now. But on Monday, a couple of private screenings of “August: Osage County” drew lots and lots of big names from theater world. They wanted to see how director John Wells and his A list cast had handled the Pulitzer Prize winning drama.
They also came to celebrate producer Jean Doumanian, who steered “AOC” from inception to Broadway to the big screen. The movie, written from his play from Tracy Letts, opens this Friday in New York and LA. It’s one of the five nominees for Best Ensemble at the SAG Awards. It could very well win.
Famed director Stephen Daldry (“The Reader,” “Billy Elliott”) introduced the film as a surprise, and sang its praises.
In the audience at the 7pm show– a murderer’s row from Broadway. Bernadette Peters, Joey Grey, Rosemary Harris, and Alan Cumming. Penny Fuller sat in front of them. Bob Dishy and Judy Graubart were there. “Man of Steel” star Michael Shannon had trouble finding a seat, the place was so packed.
Earlier in the day, Fantasia hit the matinee screening along with Duncan Sheik and Marsha Mason.
How much do I love “AOC”? I’m putting it on my Best Movies of 2013 list this week. When it opens Friday, make a beeline for the ticket line.
