What I liked
Director Miguel Perez presents a stripped down, sleek, bare bones, production uncluttered by overlays or unnecessary distractions. Both Claire Wagner and Jean-Michel Richaud focus on their relationship and the events at hand; letting the story take care of itself. The actors are at their best when they allow their characters to be unsure; searching for connection, meaning, understanding, validation, and ultimately struggling to bridge the chasms between them. Mr. Perez’s greatest success is in not imposing or leaning into the idea of ‘personal intentions’. Too often productions of Oleanna fall into the directorial trap of commenting on the behavior in an attempt to answer who is ‘right’ and who is ‘wrong’. It’s refreshing to watch a production that doesn’t keep score and tally the results. This deliberate omission from Perez sums little up, and opens the door to view the events as a part of a continuing evolution of our society. As a result the audience is prevented from absenting themselves and leaving the story on the stage when the lights come up. The success of this production is that we are left thinking about how this story relates to our own lives, feelings, and actions… and THAT, my friends, is exactly the point! Bravo!
What I didn't like
The issues explored in this play are worthy of a talk-back. 80min with no intermission leaves plenty of time for further conversation.
My overall impression
Not to be missed! Revisiting Mamet’s Oleanna in 2023 is an important endeavor. Whether viewed as a period piece where social-sexual, educational, and power dynamics collide in post 1980s University life, or through the modern day lens where the Me Too movement, social activism, attacks on education, and social media / internet connectivity dominate our existence, the piece gets at the heart of our national dilemma… division.
