This first play from Tracy Letts takes a look at the Smiths -- a brood that gives the phrase "trailer trash" a whole new meaning. Killer Joe is the third play I've seen from Letts and so far, they all have this flavor of damage mixed with dark comedy. Like sour candy or bitter chocolate… … You know what I'm sayin'. At any rate, under Milton Zoth's direction, it's a hearty blend going on right now at Actors' Studio.
The swastika tattooed son of the Smith family, Chris (James E. Slover), is in debt to some tough guys for thousands of bucks he doesn't have. His wounded, naive little sister Dottie (Rachel Fenton) walks and talks in her sleep, and his dad Ansel (Larry Dell), whom Chris shares joints and Stag beer with, doesn't care about much outside of old detective shows on television. In addition, they all look like they kinda don't shower very often. Sharla (Missy Miller) is Ansel's new but maybe not so improved wife. When her stepson asks why she answered the door half-naked, she replies, "Well, it's the middle of the night! I didn't know who you were!". Yep. A nice bunch.
