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Speed-The-Plow
By David Mamet
Directed by Steven M. Roseman
Produced by Theatre O Th Absurd
At Side Studio Theater
1520 W. Jarvis
Chicago, IL
Call 773-419-5001, tickets $16
Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8 PM
Sundays at 4 PM
Running time is 2 hours, 10 minutes with intermission
Through July 1, 2006
Mamet classic wears thin
Theatre O Th Absurd has mounted a worthy production of David Mamet’s classic Speed-The-Plow. Django is terrific as the film producer, Bobby Gould, bent on balancing producing a sure hit film and seducing his secretary who is promoting an ‘artsy’ film that will bomb at the box office.
Despite terrific work from Adam Glen as Charlie Fox, Bobby’s long time assistant who champions a ‘sure’ hit film script and excellent performance from Jolene Turner as Karen, the sexy secretary determined to get a book she read produced by Bobby, the production wears thin.
Speed-The-Plow is classic Mamet. Full of his unique, machine gun rapid style dialogue and full of over written speeches to the point of exhausting audience’s attention with needless repetition and exaggeration. Speed-The-Plow is billed as a satirical comedy about the seedy world of Hollywood film business. It seems dated and over done. Few laughs emerge.
The present production does Mamet justice; it’s the writing that I have a problem with. The play is much too long with too much dialogue especially between Charlie and Bobby at the beginning of the play.
Some plays don’t age well and this one is tiresome despite the best efforts of a talented cast. Mamet fans may find this work interesting, I fond it tedious.
Somewhat Recommended
Tom Williams
Tom99@chicagocritic.com for comments
Talk Theatre in Chicago podcast
Date Reviewed: June 11, 2006
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