AUBURN — A strong cast of Community Little Theatre veterans and several newcomers to the CLT stage present an unflinching look at an extremely dysfunctional family in the upcoming production of “August: Osage County.”

Under the direction of Adam P. Blais, this widely acclaimed play crackles with highly-charged emotional exchanges and jaw-dropping revelations. It examines failed relationships within a corrosive culture of drug addiction, alcoholism, sex, child abuse and even some moments of dark humor.

The show opens Friday, June 3, and runs through Sunday, June 12 at the Great Falls Performing Arts Center, 30 Academy St. Tickets are $18, regular; $15 seniors and $12 for children 12 and under. Call the box office at 207-783-0958 or go online at www.laclt.com.

The action takes place over the course of several weeks in the stifling heat of an Oklahoma August. It’s happening in the two-story farmhouse home of Beverly and Violet Weston. The lives of the strong-willed women of the Weston family have diverged until a family crisis brings them back to the house where they grew up, and to the scathing verbal assaults of the woman who raised them.

“August: Osage County” is a play that all actors want to be in. “It changed the theater landscape,” Blais said. “The material is heavy, but it’s important and also extremely funny at times.”

Auditions for the 13 roles in this production drew about 50 hopeful actors, the director said.

The play opens with a prologue in which Beverly Weston, the family patriarch played by CLT veteran Roger Philippon, explains his and his wife’s life to Johnna Monevata (Kay Warren). Johnna is a Native American young woman he hires to care for the house and his wife, Violet (Jackie Oliveri).
Once a published poet of some fame, Beverly is now surrounded only by his beloved books. He and Violet have long since lost each other in a sea of alcohol and drugs. She is suffering from cancer and has become addicted to what was meant to treat her.

“August: Osage County” is epic in its presentation of failed family relationships. Tragedy brings their three estranged daughters back from all parts of the country, along with husbands, children and fiancés.

The daughters are Barbara (Jennifer Fox), Ivy (Elizabeth Chasse-King) and Karen (Ashley Thibodeau).
Barbara has a husband, Bill (Paul Menezes), and a daughter, Jean (Lindsay Cagney). Ivy is unmarried and Karen is engaged to Steve Heidebrecht (Dan Kane). Violet has a sister, Mattie Fae (Margaret Matheson), who is married to Charlie Aiken (Mitch Thomas) and they have a son, Little Charles (Jason Pelletier).
The role of Sheriff Deon Gilbeau is played by Cory King. The sheriff is a family friend simply doing his job, while longing for a missing part of his past.
Over several days and weeks, the disintegration of the family seems inevitable as one secret after another leads to further betrayal, further disillusionment and further life instability.

“This show is also a huge undertaking for the technical staff,” Blais said. The set designers and crew have constructed a two-story set. There are multiple rooms, and at times, the action is going on simultaneously in two or more rooms.
“August: Osage County” was written by Tracy Letts and the play won the 2008 Pulitzer Prize for Drama. Letts is also an actor, and he won that year’s Tony Award for his portrayal of George in the Broadway revival of “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?”

Letts is known to TV viewers for his ongoing portrayal of Andrew Lockhart in seasons three and four of Showtime’s “Homeland.”
Meryll Streep and Julia Roberts starred in a 2013 version of “August: Osage County.”
This CLT production is presented in three acts, as well as the prologue; and it has a running time of about three hours. The show features original music by Paul G. Caron.
Please be advised that this production contains adult language and content and is not recommended for young children.
Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday, June 3, 4 , 10 and 11; 2 p.m. on Sundays, June 5 and 12; and at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, June 9.
The Great Falls Performing Arts Center is at 30 Academy St., Auburn.