|
|
-
No holds barred
ISU Theatre production, "Glengarry Glen Ross," looks at
seamy underbelly of real estate sales.
-
It struck Patrick Gouran when he was in the dressing room right before
a performance of ISU Theatre's "A Christmas Carol" in December
2002.
"I realized then how many talented male student actors we had and
I thought we ought to do something that really showcases their talents,"
said Gouran, associate professor in ISU Theatre.
"Glengarry Glen Ross" immediately came to mind because of its
exceedingly strong and demanding male roles.
ISU Theatre will present David Mamet's 1984 Pulitzer Prize winning play
April 22-25. The drama will be performed in the Maintenance Shop of the
Memorial Union at 7:30 p.m. April 22-24 and at 2 p.m. on Sunday, April
25.
In addition to its on-campus performances, ISU Theatre will present "Glengarry
Glen Ross" for three shows April 30 to May 2 in Des Moines at the
Mews Theater on 4th Street.
"Glengarry Glen Ross" is the story of small-time, cut-throat
real estate salesmen who try to grind out a living by pushing plots of
land to reluctant buyers in a never-ending scramble for their fair share
of the American dream. Mamet is at his best with characters who cajole,
connive, and wheel and deal for a piece of the action - where closing
a sale can mean a brand new Cadillac but losing one can mean losing their
jobs.
"I believe this is David Mamet's most insightful play and it's a
no holds barred, bare knuckles show," Gouran, who is serving as the
play's director, said. "The characters have a history together -
they know each other really well and know what buttons to push.
"The characters are willing to do unethical, even immoral things,
to scratch out a living," Gouran continued. "These aren't admirable
men."
The characterizations of the all-male cast will be enhanced in the M-Shop.
Gouran says the recent Stars Over VEISHEA production of "Fiddler
on the Roof" kept many of ISU Theatre's technical crew busy over
the past several months making it almost impossible to mount the show
in Fisher Theater.
The set for "Glengarry Glen Ross" is bare bones and the close
proximity of the actors to the audience will make for a unique experience,
Gouran says.
"The setting in both the M-Shop and at the Mews Theater will make
the show more intense for the audience," he said.
The seven-member cast features Iowa State students in several roles, but
it also includes ISU Theatre faculty member Robin Stone and Des Moines
professional actor and Iowa State alumnus James Serpento.
"It's exciting to have a former student who has succeeded as an actor
return to help our students see what it takes to be a professional,”"
Gouran said.
The rest of the cast includes Scott Morehead, Ken Okishi, Derek Paper,
Phil Henry and Bill Mort.
Tickets are $11 for adults, $10 for seniors and $5.50 for students and
children for the Iowa State performances of “Glengarry Glen Ross”
and are available at the Memorial Union Box Office or at the door.
"Glengarry Glen Ross" is intended for mature audiences and contains
mature language.
Around LAS
April 19 to May 9, 2004
|
|
