January 21, 2010
The Theatre Arts Reunion Project at Westfield State College will present Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet's Oleanna, at 8 p.m. Wednesday through Saturday, Jan. 27-30, in the Ely Studio Theatre, with a matinee performance at 2:30 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 30.
Jack Shea, coordinator of the Theatre Arts Program in the English Department, directs the play, which features two alumni of the Theatre Arts Program. Colin Kiley (Class of 2005) plays John, a young university professor on the verge of being granted tenure. Panagiota Kanavaros (Class of 2009) plays Carol, a college freshman and John's student who comes to his office to discuss her grade and the issues presented in the class.
The play, written and first produced in 1992, was given a revival production on Broadway this past fall, featuring Bill Pullman as John and Julia Stiles as Carol.
Time magazine called Oleanna a "fiercely funny and trenchantly topical" play that presents a "vision of political correctness cum intellectual terrorism" that is "outlandish and entirely plausible."
The Village Voice said, "The temptation to take sides in the sex, class, and culture wars that Mamet has mapped out is almost irresistible," and that Mamet "is operating here at his cunning best...” The New Yorker magazine called Oleanna "a powerful, exciting play that shows off [Mamet's] enormous skills as a writer."
David Mamet is the author of Glengarry Glen Ross, American Buffalo, and Speed-the-Plow. His screenplays include Glengarry Glen Ross, The Verdict, Hoffa, and The Untouchables.
The Theatre Arts Program plans to establish the Theatre Arts Reunion Project as an annual event at the beginning of each spring semester. The project will bring graduates of the program back to campus to act, direct, and design the productions.
Tickets are $3 for students and senior citizens, $6 for faculty and staff, and $8 general admission. Tickets can be purchased at the Campus Center Service Window and reservations can be made by calling 572-5682
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