Broadway smiles on a tale of problems in Oklahoma

NEW YORK — "August: Osage County,” Oklahoma native Tracy Letts' scabrous tale of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family, was named best play Sunday at the 2008 Tony Awards ceremony, picking up two acting prizes as well as an award for direction.

Thanking the show's producers, Letts said: "They did an amazing thing. They decided to produce an American play on Broadway with theater actors.”

The win was not unexpected since "August” already has won most major theater awards including the Pulitzer Prize for drama and the New York Drama Critics' Circle Award.

Letts was born in Tulsa.

Deanna Dunagan, who portrays the play's acidulous matriarch, took the actress prize while Rondi Reed, who plays her flighty sister, won in the featured category.

"This is so overwhelming,” Dunagan said. "This whole year has been entirely unexpected and astonishing. … After 34 years in regional theater, I never thought about it (the Tonys). I watched it on television like everybody else.”

Anna D. Shapiro, who directed the production, which came from Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre Company, also triumphed.

"If you're really followed by a star, Tracy Letts hands you ‘August: Osage County' and says, ‘Wanna?' Then heaven opens up and you get the greatest cast you will ever work with in your entire life,” said a tearful Shapiro.

The lavish revival of "South Pacific,” which features Edmond native Kelli O'Hara, picked up five prizes, including director of a musical. "Boeing-Boeing,” a 1960s sex farce filled with slamming doors and eager stewardesses, was named best-revival play. It also won the top acting prize for its star, Mark Rylance.

"South Pacific” received awards for sets, costumes, lighting and sound of a musical.

The design prizes for play were divided — two went to "The 39 Steps” for sound and lighting, while "August: Osage County” took set design and "Les Liaisons Dangereuses” costumes.

"Gypsy,” the main competition for "South Pacific,” celebrated with