GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS

Cast: (L to R) H.D. Southerland, Tim Earls, Eric Burke, Jason Souza, Norman A. Hall, Richard Conti and Stephen Dietz. Photo: Kim Taylor.

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, by David Mamet, directed by James Dunn. Ross Valley Players (R.V.P.), Barn Theatre, Marin Art & Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd. at Lagunitas, Ross, CA. 415-456-9555 or www.rossvalleyplayers.com.January 16—February 22, 2009

GREAT ENSEMBLE PERFORMANCE WITH TWO OUTSTANDING ROLES

The characters in many of David Mamet plays (Sexual Perversity in Chicago, American Buffalo, Speed the Plow) are not likeable, their language would make a sailor blush yet in a good production the totality keeps your attention riveted to the stage. Ross Valley Players’ production of Glengarry Glen Ross, under James Dunn tight direction, is a riveting evening in the theatre and the 95-minute two-act four scenes play is just long enough to witness the underbelly of the “American Dream.” Mamet’s view of that dream is more of a nightmare populated with persons intent on personal gain, willing to lie, intimidate and bribe and “are so damned unhappy. . . but are smiling all the time.” And, there we have a prefect description of his major characters in this play.

Mamet is a master at play construction, able to define character succinctly without extraneous exposition using only their words and their effect on those around them. Having worked in a Chicago real estate office, he wisely uses that experience as the basis for Glengarry Glen Ross that received the 1984 Pulitzer Prize. The title refers to two real estate developments, Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms, being peddled by four unethical salesmen.

Mamet introduces two characters in each of the three scenes in the first act. There is always one dominant character, with the other, less vocal, but a necessary counterpoint. This type of dialog/interaction has earned the name of “Mametese.” Although difficult to master, all the actors perform admirable. In the first scene, the aging former star salesman Shelly Levene (Norman A. Hall) and office manager John Williamson (H. D. Southerland) are seated at one of two tables in a Chinese restaurant. Shelly, in dire need of money, is begging/demanding for his share of prime leads and eventually has to buy the leads and offer shares of his potential profit, thus exposing Williamson’s true devious nature. Mamet adds a comic touch in the second scene where aggressive Dave Moss (Richard Conti) attempts to con not too bright George Aaronow (Tim Earls) into an unrealistic scheme to rob the office and sell the leads to a rival firm. The third scene begins with the suave, star salesman, immaculately dressed, Richard Roma (Eric Burke) sitting at one table and quiet, unassuming James Lingk (Stephen Dietz) at the other. Before the first act curtain, Roma, adroitly moves to James’ table, buys a drink for this potential customer/victim and brings out sales brochures. All this in 35 minutes with the major characters identified/defined and the plot in place.

An intermission is needed to change the scenery to the torn up real estate office where a burglary has taken place. All the characters are brought together adding Detective Baylen (Jason Souza) to investigate the crime. Where Levene and Moss dominate act one, Roma takes over center stage with Burke giving a first rate performance. Hall’s superb interpretation of Lavene in scene one continues in a histrionic rendition of elation eventually crumbling into heart felt pathos. The acting of Southerland, Dietz and Earls shine with understatement and do honors to the Mametese dialog. Rightfully, fitting in with Mamet’s philosophy, ineffectual George (Tim Earls) is given the final curtain line, “I don’t like this job.”

Once again, the production values of the Ross Valley Players is in evidence as the actors “chew up the scenery” on Bruce Lakovic’s remarkable set that switches from the two table Chinese restaurant to the real estate office complete with a damaged picture window framing the exit of the characters.

Courtesy of www.TheatreWorldInternetMagazine.com