Beverly Weston
The Father and Patriarch of the Weston family aged 69. An alcoholic and former poet, his mysterious disappearance one evening and eventually discovered death is the reasons for the family's reunion. The reasons for his alleged suicide are a major plot point that brings some of the family's dark past painfully back into the light.
Violet Weston
The Mother and Matriarch of the Weston family aged 65. She is addicted to several prescription drugs, mostly depressants and narcotics. After Beverly's funeral, the family's focus shifts to keeping her clean. Despite her drug-induced episodes, she is sharp-tongued and shrewd: she is aware of the family's many secrets and not hesitant to reveal them.
Barbara Fordham
The oldest daughter of the Weston Family, age 46. Mother of Jean and wife of Bill, though they are currently separated. She is a college professor in Boulder, Colorado. She wants to save her marriage, but has the intense need to control everything around her as it falls apart.
Ivy Weston
The middle daughter of the Weston family, age 44. Known as "Mom's favorite," though Violet constantly tells her she's plain and needs a man. The only daughter to stay in Oklahoma, she teaches at the local college. She is secretly having an affair with her "cousin," Little Charles, and plans to move to New York with him.
Karen Weston
The youngest daughter in the Weston family, age 40. She is newly engaged to Steve, whom she considers the "perfect man," and lives with him in Florida, planning to marry him soon.
Bill Fordham
Barbara's estranged husband and Jean's father, age 49. A college professor who is sleeping with one of his students, but wants to be there for his family.
Jean Fordham
Bill and Barbara's 14-year-old daughter. She smokes pot and cigarettes, is a vegetarian, loves old movies, and is bitter about her parents' split.
Steve Heidebrecht
Karen's fiancé, age 50. A businessman in Florida, and not the "perfect man" that Karen calls him. He eventually sexually molests Jean after the two smoke pot together.
Mattie Fae Aiken
Violet's sister, Charlie's wife and Little Charles' mother, age 57. Just as jaded as her sister, Mattie Fae belittles her husband and son. Eventually she reveals the major plot point that Beverly, not Charlie, is the real father of Little Charles.
Charlie Aiken
Husband of Mattie and the presumed father of Little Charles, age 60. Charlie, a genial man, was a lifelong friend of Beverly. He struggles to get Mattie Fae to respect Little Charles.
Little Charles
Son of Mattie and Beverly, 37 years old--but, like everyone else, he believes Charlie is his father. His mother calls him a "screw-up," which may be a self-fulfilling prophecy. He is secretly having an affair with his "cousin" Ivy, who is revealed to actually be his sister.
Johnna Monevata
A Cheyenne Indian woman, age 26, whom Beverly hires as a live-in housekeeper shortly before he disappears. Violet is prejudiced against her, but she wins over the other family members with her cooking skills, hard work, and empathy.
Sheriff Deon Gilbeau
A high-school classmate and former boyfriend of Barbara's, age 47, who brings the news to the family about the investigation of Beverly's disappearance.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/August:_Osage_County
CASTING:
I feel that non-traditional casting of the characters would not be appropriate. An argument could be based on the issues this dysfunctional family experience drug abuse, alcoholism, suicide, death, sexual harassment, racism, incest and can still maintain the ability to love one another on the notion of “unconditional love” could be placed with many families in America. However, one must look beyond the obvious and look at the culture that shaped the Weston family and how they evolved into this " Prima Donna" family in Pawhuska, OK.
Pawhuska is predominately Anglo with about a 25% Native American and little if none other ethnic background is represented in the demographics. There are far too many references in the script that would not make since to the audience if cast non-traditionally. I also feel it is important to stay true to the Playwrights intentions. Tracy Letts was born and raised in this area and he dedicated the play to his father who also was a professor at Tulsa University. His father also played Beverly in the Broadway production.
