McGuire received the Drama Desk and Outer Critics Circle awards for his appearance in That Championship Season. His other Broadway credits include Hay Fever and Child's Play. Off-Broadway, he has appeared in Whistle in the Dark, Baal, The Cannibals, Pictures in the Hallway (Lincoln Center), and the title role in Macbeth (NYSF/Public Theater). In Los Angeles he received the L.A. Weekly Award and Six Drama-Logue Awards. Film appearances include "Bird," "Hard Times" and "Report to the Commissioner."

McGuire succeeds the late Dennis Letts, the playwright's father, who created the role of the dissipated poet in the play's Chicago world premiere in summer 2007, and later played the role in the Broadway transfer. Dennis Letts died Feb. 22 after a battle with lung cancer.

The character of alcohol-drenched Beverly Weston appears at the top of the play, and mysteriously vanishes, setting into motion a (dysfunctional) family reunion.

The Steppenwolf Theatre Company production of August: Osage County, directed by Anna D. Shapiro, continues to star Ian Barford, Deanna Dunagan, Kimberly Guerrero, Francis Guinan, Brian Kerwin, Madeleine Martin, Mariann Mayberry, Amy Morton, Sally Murphy, Jeff Perry, Rondi Reed and Troy West.

Performances play Tuesday-Friday at 7:30 PM, matinees on Wednesday and Saturdays at 2 PM, Saturdays at 8 PM and Sundays at 3 PM through April 20. Tickets can be purchased at Telecharge.com, or by calling (212) 239-6200.

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As previously announced, August: Osage County will begin performances at the Music Box Theater (239 W. 45th St) on April 29.