| Bug | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Written by | Tracy Letts |
| Characters | Peter Evans Agnes White Jerry Goss Dr. Sweet R.C. Pizza Harris |
| Date premiered | 20 September 1996 |
| Place premiered | London, England |
| Original language | English |
| Subject | |
| Genre | Black comedy |
| Setting | Oklahoma,USA |
Bug is aplay byAmericanplaywrightTracy Letts. Exploring themes ofparanoia andconspiracy theories, the play tells the story of a woman who, as she spends time with a newly acquainted man in hermotel room, starts sharing more and more of his paranoias. It premiered inLondon 1996, and was also performed around the United States between 2000 and 2004.
The play was adapted intoa film of the same name directed byWilliam Friedkin in 2006, with Letts writing the screenplay andMichael Shannon, who had played the male lead role of Peter in the original London production and in some American versions, reprising his role.
Most of the play takes place in a seedymotel room. Lonely cocktail waitress Agnes lives there, hiding from her violent ex-husband Jerry Goss, an ex-con. One night, herlesbian biker friend R.C. introduces her to Peter, aGulf War veteran who might beAWOL. She gets involved with Peter, who grows increasingly paranoid aboutthe war in Iraq,UFOs, theOklahoma 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 intoinsanity under Peter's influence.
The play originally premiered at theGate Theatre inNotting Hill, London, on September 20, 1996.[1] The rehearsals were atA Red Orchid Theatre inChicago, Illinois.[2]
Following its London run, the play made its U.S. debut atIthaca, New York, followed by theWoolly Mammoth Theatre Company inWashington, D.C.
In Washington, DC, the play underwent a series of revisions and received an American premiere atWoolly Mammoth Theatre Company in March/April 2000.[3]
The play's Chicago Premiere was atA Red Orchid Theatre, where the play first rehearsed prior to its world premiere in London.[2]
Amanda Plummer resigned from the Off-Broadway premiere 24 hours before its February 21 start date.[5] A notice in the theater box office warned that the show contained nudity, violence and cigarette smoking.[6]
The play premiered at The SBW Stables Theatre in Kings Cross, Sydney, in May 2010, as part ofGriffin Theatre Company'sIndependent Season 2010, in conjunction with Picture This Productions.
On August 20, 2025, it was announced thatBug would make its Broadway premiere at theSamuel J. Friedman Theatre, with opening night set for January 8, 2026. Directed byDavid Cromer, it will starCarrie Coon, Letts' wife, as Agnes and Namir Smallwood as Peter. The production previously played at theSteppenwolf Theatre Company in 2020 and 2021.[7][8]
Afilm version of the play was released in 2006 fromLionsgate. It was directed byWilliam Friedkin, and starredAshley Judd,Harry Connick, Jr andMichael Shannon. Friedkin contacted Tracy Letts after having seen the play, and they cooperated on a screen adaptation. Friedkin described the film as "the most intense piece of work I've ever done".[9] Michael Shannon had played the part on stage. Lionsgate wanted to cast an actor with more name recognition, but Friedkin was determined to have Shannon perform in the film, saying he brought a unique quality to the part.
| Year | Award | Category | Nominee | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Lucille Lortel Awards | Outstanding Play | Won | |
| Outstanding Director | Dexter Bullard | Won | ||
| Outstanding Lighting Design | Tyler Micoleau | Won | ||
| Outstanding Sound Design | Brian Ronan | Won | ||
| Obie Awards | Best New American Play | Bug | Won | |
| Outstanding Performance | The acting company ofBug -Shannon Cochran,Michael Shannon, Michael Cullen,Amy Landecker,Reed Birney | Won | ||
| Outstanding Design Team | The design team ofBug -Lauren Helpern (sets),Tyler Micoleau (lights),Brian Ronan (sound),Kim Gill (costumes),Faye Armon (props) | Won | ||
| Theatre World Award | Shannon Cochran | Won | ||
| Drama Desk Awards | Outstanding Actress in a Play | Shannon Cochran | Nominated | |
| Outstanding Director of a Play | Dexter Bullard | Nominated | ||
| Outstanding Sound Designer | Brian Ronan | Nominated | ||
Bug at theInternet Off-Broadway Database (archived)