My Plans Changed
Posted by Molly Ranson on 12/22/2008My journey with August: Osage County has gone far beyond anything I could have imagined. It began in October 2007 when I booked the position of understudying Jean Fordham. Not only was this my Broadway debut, it was my first professional job. I was six weeks into my freshman year at NYU and excitedly decided to go on a leave of absence. I understudied for a while and then had the great privilege of taking over the role for three months. I was part of the cast from April through all of the Tonys excitement until the end of July. It really was a dream come true. At the end of this past summer I was getting ready to go back to school and restart my freshman year. Then I got an offer to do August at the National Theatre in London. Needless to say, my plans changed.
Our rehearsal process for the London run began in Chicago. This was my first visit to the city and couldn’t have come at a better time with all of the Obama excitement lingering in the air. It was wonderful to revisit the piece with almost all of the originals; many of whom had been out of the play since the Tonys. Anna’s direction was brilliant and inspiring. I hadn’t had much of a chance to work with her before, since I took on my role in the middle of the run, so being under her direction for a week was a real treat. She guided the piece to a place of such truth and darkness, making slight changes in blocking that had felt inorganic (the end of Act I feels more powerful than ever), adding layers to certain moments, always making the work deeper and more real.
Something that has been so unique about this experience is having the opportunity to work and adjust to new people coming into the show. The three newcomers in the London production, Paul Vincent O’Connor, Gary Cole and Chelcie Ross, are all extraordinary and its interesting to note how their presence changes the dynamics of certain scenes. It’s always a fun challenge to make sure that I am reacting truthfully to the new personalities and not defaulting back to what had worked in a previous incarnation of the show.
The play was just as outstandingly received in London as in New York. The audiences here are much more reserved than American audiences so when we do get a standing ovation it feels well earned. Although the crowds are not nearly as raucous as those back home, you can really feel them listening and absorbing every part of the story. It is clear how important and respected theatre is in this culture.
I cannot express how honored I feel to be a part of this. What a thrill to able to share the stage with people I admire and respect so deeply in a place as exciting and theatrically historical as London. This has been a time of tremendous growth for me both as an actress and a person. Thank you so much, Steppenwolf!
December 30th, 2008 at 7:42 am
Molly and the rest of the London August cast,
I flew to London last week to catch the London run of August. And I didn’t regret it for 1 second. What a brilliant play. The characters were so well portrayed. Before I went, I was curious if I could focus all through the play since it’s not in my native language and it’s pretty exhausting listening and translating in your head at the same time. But it turned out that wasn’t difficult at all. Time flew. Before I know it there was the first intermission and the second came too fast as well.
Rondi, so glad to see her on stage this time. What a funny character that Mattie Fay is. And there was Gary Cole, I call him Creepy Cole since last week 
What a sleazy character he plays.
Usually with a huge cast like this you have a favorite character or actor. But not this time. All characters were brilliantly portrayed by the whole cast. Amy did a brilliant job as Barbara, for me she equaled her part that I saw her do in Homebody/Kabul a couple of years back. Deanna as Violet was great, sometimes hilarious, sometimes sadas well. And Jeff as Bill, found out about Steppenwolf through Jeff’s character on Nash Bridges so I have a weak spot for him, although I can’t say the characters he played since NB were all so nice
And Molly, I’m glad you changed your plans. You do a great job! Last year I saw The Diary Of Anne Frank at Steppenwolf and they casted 2 brilliant younger women for that play as well (Carolyn Faye Kramer and Claire Elizabeth Saxe). I hope you have a great theatre future ahead of you.
I had a great time last week. It was just too bad that my friend from the USA couldn’t join me this time since I really wanted to talk about the play afterwards but I was all by myself this time so nobody to discuss the play with. I waited a little while to see if I could catch the cast to have my Playbill look-a-like signed but it was a long day for me so I could only wait for 10 min or so. Bummer.
I wish I was able to see it in Step’s hometown Chicago. Like you mentioned, the London audience is more timid, more modest. I would have loved to see this play with ‘an American audience’
I think you guys have 3 more weeks to go in London, I hope you enjoy every minute of it. I know I did.
All the best for the new year to all of you!
Jolanda
January 5th, 2009 at 7:07 pm
I saw the show on Dec. 10th. I felt so lucky to see it. I live in Toronto and couldn’t possibly have afforded to fly down to NYC and stay there to see the show. But then my brother flew me over to the UK for his 50th birthday and on spec I went to the NAT site to check out info re: War Horse and I saw you were doing August… there! I immediately booked tickets. What a treat for an actor to see the show of the year.
And Molly, you were wonderful.
January 7th, 2009 at 3:24 pm
Jolanda,
Thank you so much for your kind words. Its always wonderful to get people’s feedback. I’m glad you were able to make it to our show and happy to hear you had such a positive experience.
Happy new year!
All the best,
Molly
December 3rd, 2010 at 11:35 am
I can’t find the Who’s Afraid Of Virginia Woolf blog so I’ll enter here. Had the great pleasure of attending opening preview night. The word ‘entertaining’ doesn’t quite work here, more like ICONIC and FUNNY apply. I appreciated and was relieved to laugh so much as four people’s pain more so some than other’s, was revealed. Although - it would have made more sense to me if Ms. Morton hadn’t looked so gosh-darn fantastic! Slim and pretty - fresh in every way! In my world, Martha has always represented someone I aspired no to become. A wash-up alcoholic, prematurely aging, her soul dry and brittle and her body following closely behind. I thought Mr. Letts was the bomb. Very energetic and lightening quick - a tour ‘d force. The two youngersters were nice too. Although I will never understand why Mr. Albee set the play so late in the day. Who gets together, after a dinner party at 2:00AM unless there is clubing involved? I feel the play would make more sense if George and Martha had invited the new kids on the block at oh let’s say - 10 at night.
But who am I to complain? Nobody. I’m just a Steppenwolf fan who is grateful for the opportunity to listen to ICONIC lines and watch ICONIC stage actors enter and exit and bow at curtain call.
Thank you Steppenwolf Theatre Company.