Superior Donuts - A Drama Worth Watching

By Author: Al Terry
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Previews for Superior Donuts, a production of Steppenwolf Theatre Company of Chicago began on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on Sept 16, 2009. This new play by Tracy Letts, that won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama and Tony Award for Best Play winner, opened on Oct 1 at Shubert Organization's theatre. It is a story of a decrepit coffee and donut shop in the seedy area of uptown Chicago.

The drama debuted on Broadway after a successful Chicago run at the Steppenwolf Theatre Company between Jun 19, 2008 and Aug 24, 2008. Superior Donuts, with two main characters - Arthur Pryzybyszewski portrayed by Michael McKean and Franco Wicks portrayed by Jon Michael Hill, is directed by Tina Landau, who also directed the play in Chicago.

The Story

Superior Donuts, a story set in Chicago, and is about the friendship of the pony-tailed and middle aged ex-hippie shop owner and his only African American employee, who wants to bring changes in the shop.

Pryzybyszewski, the owner of the shop he inherited from his Polish immigrant father, runs a shabby establishment and cares two hoots about it. His ex-wife has ...
... died recently and he is depressed about his life. Into this drab routine enters the young live-wire Wicks. He manages to wangle a job out of the reluctant owner and immediately starts to give one idea after another to upgrade the shop.

In the cauldron mix of the story is a female cop apparently investigating an incidence of an earlier vandalism in the shop. Here interest in Wicks seems to be more of personal nature than a professional one. The story has a subplot related to Wicks' gambling debts.

Then there is a Russian owner of the next door DVD store, Max Tarasov, portrayed by Yasen Peyankov. Tarasov pitches in with an itch to expand his business. The play has a fresh appeal of honesty and subdued warmth between the two protagonists of the drama.

This comedy comes across as tender and honest. It is well directed and has solid performances by its cast. Superior Donuts provides an evening of great entertainment, and gives quite a few laughs.

One would have thought that Tracy Letts would find it difficult to follow up on his award winning August: Osage County but he has not let his fans down. He has succeeded in writing a play that is different and entertaining.

The Tickets

The play is doing well and has caught the fancy of theatre-goers. Tickets are at a premium and you need to book in advance to ensure you get yours. The booking for this play has been extended up to March 28, 2010.

If you need tickets for Superior Donuts on a short notice your best option is contacting the licensed ticket brokers to get your tickets delivered at home.
Al has a site devoted to Broadway shows of the past and present and has content to help fans Superior Donuts Tickets and Resources for fans. His site includes up to date information and reviews on all concert events plus resources for getting Superior Donuts tickets and information for any show.