Review: Glengarry Glen Ross at Seattle Rep Theatre
Considered one of America’s great plays, David Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross is currently playing at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. Directed by Wilson Milam, this production has provided the opportunity to reunite the wonderful team that brought The Seafarer to Seattle audiences last year.
This play is similar to the 1994 film adapted by Mamet from his Pulitzer Prize and Tony-winning play of the same name. But you don’t have Alec Baldwin’s famous speech about “the coffee” in this stage play which Mamet wrote for the film. For me having seen the film many years ago, this was not to be missed. The story is about less than honorable men trying to make a buck. They happen to be real estate agents selling dubious properties in Chicago in the early 1980’s.
This drama presents the shady dealings and the fears of several unethical real estate agents; Shelly Levene, John Williamson, Dave Moss, George Aaronow, and Richard Roma who’s main purpose are closing the deal and making the sale, winning the car, getting the commission, earning top salesman on the board, and anything and everything about getting the sale. The beauty of this story is Mamet’s writing, his dialogue which is vibrant, the rapid fire responses and his characters desperation with the heavy use of four letter words.
From the opening scene, with the transfixing sets of the red wall colored Chinese restaurant to the down and out real estate office, the set and lighting designers do a magnificent job of setting the mood. The staging enhanced the background for this master cast of actors to bring them vividly alive with crisp action in body movements, yelling, pushing and the in-your-face action and sharp words within the play. Watching actors John Aylward (Shelly), MJ Sieber (John), Charles Leggett (Dave) Russell Hodgkinson (George), R. Hamilton Wright (Richard), Ian Bell (James) and Shawn Belyea (Baylen) was like watching master actors at work. The script and acting in this production is first rate.
A scene between Dave and George discussing breaking into the office to steal the real estate leads is delightful to see and hear them using the words, “say”, “speak” and “talk” and reminded me of the “Who’s on First” comedy routine. The rapid fire words flying back and forth kept me watching and amused.
If you have seen one of Mamet’s plays but not this one, go see this one. If you have not had the chance to see a Mamet production, what a pleasure awaits you for this all-star Seattle cast in a gripping drama that has blackmail, bribery and even humor. I don’t think you will be disappointed. Last thought is the fact that four letter words flow freely from the opening to the last act. So, if you take offense at this foul language this play may not be your cup of tea.
Glengarry Glen Ross plays through February 28, 2010 at The Seattle Repertory Theatre. Tickets range from $15-$59. Anyone 25 and under may purchase tickets for only $12 for any performance (with ID – call for details). For more info and tickets, visit www.seattlerep.org.
– Ethel W.
