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‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ @ Alliance
The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
THEATER REVIEW. Grade: C +
“Glengarry Glen Ross” — David Mamet’s play about a bunch of sleazy, low-level real estate agents who act out their own little Watergate — leaves me cold.
There’s no doubt that the 1984 Pulitzer Prize winner is a virtuosic piece of writing and a showcase for the kind of piston-popping, crash-and-burn style of acting that has established the play’s robust mythology. But too much testosterone and scabrous language can come off as empty, shrill and devoid of humor, which is exactly what happens in the overcrafted, overcalibrated new production at the Alliance Theatre.
Piled high with profanity and bigotry, Mamet’s jokey little send-up of American greed has never been for the squeamish. But the payoff is in the sheer absurdity of the oversize egos and emotion — five small-time hustlers hawking dubious Florida real estate in the name of winning a brand-new Cadillac car.
Director BJ Jones’ seven-man ensemble — including top-tier Atlanta actors Chris Kayser, Larry Larson and David de Vries — certainly can’t be faulted for lacking talent. But with rare exceptions, the energy is so intense that the patina of felt life gets blow-torched.
The first words out of the mouth of Kayser, who plays the desperate and despairing Levene, feel awkward and self-conscious, and though Kayser will eventually connect with his character’s inner Willy Loman, the performance is wildly uneven. As Williamson, the guy in charge of tossing “leads” to the hungry pack of wolves, Joe Knezevich is all clenched jaw and penetrating stare.
While Larson is watchable enough as the gullible Aaronow, de Vries’ Moss exudes an oleaginous authenticity that’s as smart as it is slick. In the much smaller role of Lingk, Brik Berkes does a nice job of capturing his character’s low self-esteem and shrinking persona: Lingk is so uncomfortable that he almost disappears inside his own shirt collar.
But the man to watch here is Neal A. Ghant as Roma, the con artist who seduces Lingk and turns into the human equivalent of a paper shredder. Unlike other members of this company of overachievers, Ghant doesn’t let the Mamet sneer steal all the fun. This devil in a double-breasted suit is by turns beguiling and belligerent, but even as his character rages, Ghant is fully in control of the irony in his front pocket. In a room full of scaredy cats, Roma is the preening king.
“Glengarry Glen Ross” has made a lasting impact on the culture of venality, empowering writers of all stripes to think lean and mean. Just look at the black comedies of Neil LaBute, or the Ari Gold character on HBO’s “Entourage.” Perhaps writing dark is the best revenge. But even in the vilest of characters, we look for glimmers of truth and insight. In the Alliance production of “Glengarry,” such grace notes are few and far between.
Comments
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By Bill
March 23, 2007 12:16 AM | Link to this
Once again, the former food critic has gotten it completely wrong. Glengarry is phenomenal from top to bottom. What a shame. Mr. Brock is an embarrassment.
By jpmist
March 23, 2007 11:21 AM | Link to this
I disagree with Bill a bit. The production was good, but now as good as I wanted it to be.
The problem is that, as brilliant an actor as Chris Kyser is, he played his character without an ounce of charm nor humor. We need to see a “twinkle in the eye” rogue in Sidney, else we don’t care what happens to him and the play becomes pointless.
I will agree that Neal Ghant was exceptional. I’ve done that monologue and Neal made it crystal clear that he knew exactly the intent of every single word and delivered them perfectly. It was brilliantly done.
I also wish the review had mentioned the fantastic interplay between Larsen and DeVries in their scene. At dress rehearsal their timing was as impeccable as any Abbot & Costello routine and just as funny.
Overall, the play felt like 5 actors who were cast in other seperate productions happened to find themselves on the set to do this play, or in other words there was not much of an ensemble feelto it.
C+ is a bit harsh, it was well done, just not perfect.
By Raye
March 23, 2007 11:42 AM | Link to this
Wow, I really disagree with this review. I was delighted to see these terrific Atlanta actors at the Alliance, knocking this play out of the park. Unlike Mr. Brock, I found there to be a great deal of humor in the show; the audience I was in laughed appreciatively in many places. And each actor found a way to make his role his own. DeVries was exceptional, Kayser’s Levine broke my heart, Larsen - usually so articulate - found pathos and poetry in his inarticulate character, and Ghant & Berkes’ performances were the only place where I agreed with Mr. Brock’s review. Far from a C-minus, this one was a slam-dunk. Kudos to Mr. Jones and the whole company.
By BPJ
March 27, 2007 12:17 PM | Link to this
Go see it! Mr. Brock and I seem to have seen entirely different productions. I have good memories of the excellent Actor’s Express production of “Glengarry” several years ago, and this new one at the Alliance is superb.
By Scott
March 28, 2007 7:48 PM | Link to this
Are you nuts? This is one of the best plays ever and it was adapted into an excellent movie version (with the screenplay by Mamet himself) with a phenomenal cast.
It sounds like you don’t like the play or the cast here.
I can fault a cast (I’m not in Atlanta so unfortunately I won’t be seeing this production) but the play?
Honestly this is probably my #1 all-time favorite play.
I can’t help but find it odd that you state “..But too much testosterone and scabrous language can come off as empty, shrill and devoid of humor….”
Devoid of Humor?
This isn’t a comedy. It’s a drama!