Bug (play)
Bug is a play by American playwright Tracy Letts. Exploring themes of paranoia and conspiracy theories, the play tells the story of a woman who, as she spends time with a newly acquainted man in her motel room, starts sharing more and more of his paranoias. It premiered in London in 1996, and was also performed around the United States between 2000 and 2004.
The play was adapted into a film of the same name directed by William Friedkin in 2006, with Letts writing the screenplay and Michael Shannon, who had played the male lead role of Peter in the original London production and in some American versions, reprising his role.
Synopsis
Most of the play takes place in a seedy motel room. Lonely cocktail waitress Agnes lives there, hiding from her violent ex-husband Jerry Goss, an ex-con. One night, her lesbian biker friend R.C. introduces her to Peter, a Gulf War veteran who might be AWOL. She gets involved with Peter, who grows increasingly paranoid about the Gulf War, UFOs, the Oklahoma City bombing of the federal building, cult suicides, and secret government experiments on soldiers. He eventually draws Agnes into his delusions. The play explores issues of love, paranoia, conspiracy theories, and Agnes's slow descent into insanity under Peter's influence.Production history
London premiere
The play originally premiered at the Gate Theatre in Notting Hill, London, on September 20, 1996. The rehearsals were at A Red Orchid Theatre in Chicago, Illinois. It starred Shannon Cochran and Michael Shannon.American premieres
Following its London run, the play made its U.S. debut in Ithaca, New York. In Washington, D.C., the play underwent a series of revisions and received an American premiere at Woolly Mammoth Theatre Company in March/April 2000. Directed by Wilson Milam, the cast featured Deborah Hazlett, Eric Sutton, Steve Schmidt, Kate Eastwood Norris, and Brian Hemmingsen. It opened March 18, 2000 and closed April 16, 2000.The play's Chicago premiere was at A Red Orchid Theatre, where the play first rehearsed prior to its world premiere in London. Directed by Dexter Bullard, the cast featured Kate Buddeke, Michael Shannon, Guy Van Swearingen III, Robin Witt, and Troy West. It opened August 20, 2001 and closed October 28, 2001.