Carrie Coon will take the stage this winter in the highly anticipated Broadway premiere of "Bug," penned by her husband, Tracy Letts. Directed by David Cromer, renowned for his work on "The Band's Visit," this captivating drama unfolds as an unexpected and intense love story between a solitary waitress, portrayed with depth by Coon, and a mysterious wanderer, brought to life by Namir Smallwood. The play will commence its run on December 17 at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre, with its grand opening slated for January 8.
"Bug" transitions to Broadway from a Steppenwolf production that initially premiered in 2020 and was revived late in 2021, following pandemic-related delays. This gripping tale, which premiered in London three decades ago, has since undergone numerous iterations, including an Off-Broadway staging in 2004 and a 2007 film adaptation, with Michael Shannon taking center stage in both versions. Joining Coon and Smallwood in this exhilarating ensemble are Randall Arney, Jennifer Engstrom, and Steve Key, who reprise their roles from the Steppenwolf production.
Describing the essence of the play, the production notes, "What starts as a seemingly innocuous connection between two damaged souls in a sleazy Oklahoma motel room soon metamorphoses into something far more perilous. As reality slips from their grasp, paranoia, delusion, and conspiracy take center stage in this seductive psychological thriller."
After her acclaimed turns in "The White Lotus" and "The Gilded Age," Coon returns to Broadway, where she previously garnered a Tony nomination for her role in the 2012 revival of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?," also featuring Letts. Letts himself is no stranger to Broadway, having penned several celebrated plays including the Pulitzer Prize-winning "August: Osage County," "Superior Donuts," and "The Minutes."
"I adore this production of 'Bug,'" Letts enthused. "It's a chilling, humorous, and intimate journey, showcased by five exceptional stage actors operating at the pinnacle of their craft, under the adept direction of my long-time collaborator, David Cromer. However, what I cherish most is its immersive nature. When an audience is ensnared by a story—when they become lost within it—it's akin to magic. And this magic can only be experienced in the live theater."
