NEW YORK (AP) - An Oklahoma native picks up a major honor
tonight at the annual Tony Awards. "August: Osage County," Tracy Letts' scabrous tale of a dysfunctional Oklahoma family, was named best play and also picked up two acting prizes as well as an award for direction.

Letts was born in Tulsa. He says the show's producers did an amazing thing by deciding 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 grew up in Durant, graduated from Durant High School, and studied theater at Southeastern Oklahoma State University. His mother, Bille Letts, is a best-selling author and wrote Where the Heart Is. His late father, Dennis Letts, was a former Southeastern professor. He starred in "August" before his death in February 2008.

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.

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