A tale of Midwestern family drama, the award-winning play “August: Osage County” is coming to the James L. Highlander Theatre Wednesday through Feb. 24.

The play marks the directorial debut of theater and dance instructor Aaron Scully, according to a news release.

“It is one of my favorite plays,” Scully said in the news release. “It is so well-written that it has been incredibly exciting to delve deep into the text and bring this funny, emotional and gut-wrenching masterpiece to life.”

The play tells the tale of a Midwestern family filled with drama after the family reunites following the disappearance of the father. Violet Weston, portrayed by theatre and dance professor Julie Rae Mollenkamp, is the pill-popping matriarch of the family, according to the news release.

“All of us possess good and bad inside, but Violet follows her worst instincts,” Mollenkamp said in the news release. “It’s terrible and frightening to admit, but it’s exhilarating to explore that dark side.”

Tracy Letts’ “August: Osage County” received the Pulitzer Prize in 2008, according to the news release. The play was converted into a film in 2013, with Meryl Streep portraying the coveted role of Violet.

Tickets for the play can be purchased from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Highlander Theatre Box Office and online at ucmo.edu/theatretickets or by calling 660-543-8811. Tickets are $7 for students, $12 for faculty and staff and $15 for the general public.

The curtain rises at 7:30 p.m. Wednesday through Feb. 23 and 2 p.m. Feb. 24.