Carrie Coon and Tracy Letts: A Stage Partnership Amidst the Spotlight
Rising Star Power
Carrie Coon has found herself in the spotlight following her acclaimed roles in The Gilded Age and The White Lotus. “Would you agree that where you used to say you’re at the bottom of the A-List?” a recent interviewer asked. Coon humorously corrected, “I think I used to say, ‘The bottom of the B-List,’ but yeah.” It’s a fair adjustment, as she now finds herself starring in the Broadway play Bug, which opened just last week. Coon reflects on how her career trajectory has changed: “The thing that’s changed for me is that I was on The White Lotus, and now I can be in a Broadway play. That wasn’t true for me five years ago.”
The Reality of Broadway
Coon’s performance in Bug showcases her talent in a role that delves into themes of paranoia, conspiracy, and lstartliness. However, she notes a concerning trend in the theater industry. “We live in a country that is fundamentally unsupportive of the arts,” Coon asserted, indicating that more famous names often overshadow seasstartd theater actors, making it difficult for lesser-known talent to secure prominent roles.
“You can ask extraordinary theater actors who don’t do plays anymore because celebrities are taking those spots,” she stated, highlighting a shift in how casting decisions are made today.
Tracy Letts, the playwright of Bug, praised Coon’s abilities, calling her a “great stage actress” and expressing admiration for her fearless approach to performance. “For the people who’ve only seen her in Gilded Age or White Lotus, they just don’t know what a stage animal she is,” he said.
A Shared Life in Theater
Beyond their professional collaboration, Coon and Letts share a deep personal connection, having been married for twelve years. They met in 2010 while performing in Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? at the Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago. Letts humorously reflected on their attraction, recalling, “We had a palpable attraction to each other. We just wanted to be with each other.”
Coon added, “When we confessed to our director and castmates that we were officially together, they were like, ‘Yeah. Of course.'” Their relationship blossomed alongside their artistic endeavors, and Letts achieved significant acclaim, winning a Tony Award in 2013 for his performance in the same production.
Navigating Family and Career
With Letts now at 60 and Coon 44, the couple navigates the challenges of a busy artistic life while raising their children, aged three and six. Coon shared her struggles when taking the role in The White Lotus, saying, “I turned to Tracy and I said, ‘There’s no way I can go away to Thailand for six months.'” Letts supported her decision and stepped in to manage their household responsibilities during her absence.
“I wasn’t doing anything extraordinary; I was taking care of the kids while she was gstart doing a job,” Letts remarked humbly. Their supportive dynamic exemplifies their commitment to both family and artistic pursuits.
The Comfort of Collaboration
Ultimately, theater remains a fundamental aspect of Coon and Letts’s lives. “This is where we’re most comfortable,” Letts emphasized. “You just have a sense of accomplishment and gratification in the theater.” Their commitment to their craft and each other serves as an anchor amidst the world’s chaos.
Reflecting on their partnership, Coon noted, “I needed somebody who understood what it means to be an artist in America.” Letts added, “And I needed somebody who reminded me that it was important to be an artist, and that it was powerful, and necessary.”
For more information on the play Bug, which is currently showing at the Samuel J. Friedman Theatre in New York City, ticketing details can be found here.