Mentions/Awards/Kudos:

Judith Newmark, critic for the Post-Dispatch puts "Glengarry Glen Ross" on of her 2009 list of "most awaited" productions.

 

Judith Newmark, critic for the Post-Dispatch names Annamaria Pileggi's direction of "Glengarry" the best of St. Louis in 2009.

 

Judith Newmark, critic for the Post-Dispatch names Bobby Miller's portrayal of Levine in "Glengarry" the best male acting performance of St. Louis in 2009.

 

Mark Bretz, critic for the Ladue News names "Glengarry" as the 3rd best theatrical production in St. Louis in 2009.

 

Critics' Reviews

Reviewed by Sarah Boslaugh - KDHX

... Bobby Miller is captivating as Shelly Levine, the play's central character who's trying to recapture his past days of glory. It's painful to watch him cycle from desperation to elation to even greater despair, and the portrayal is all the more effective because Mr. Miller underplays the change.

Jerry Russo as Roma is the current office star, and the very picture of self-confidence and charisma: he's able to seduce his customers into buying worthless Florida real estate because they want him to like them-in fact they want to be him. Peter Mayer is frightening as the angrily embittered Moss, and Christopher Lawyer is the master of changing moods as Williamson, the office manager. Chopper Leifeit, B. Weller and G.P. Hunsaker are excellent in smaller roles as the salesman Aaronow, Roma's latest victim Lingk, and the detective investigating the burglary, respectively.

Glengarry Glen Ross wouldn't work if we despised the characters, but director Annamaria Pileggi and the actors have found the humanity within each of them. The production also shows a great understanding for the subtleties of Mamet's language, in which an entire scene can hinge on the distinction between "talking about" and "speaking about" something.

The pre- and post-show music seems a bit early for the early 1980's-Frank Sinatra and Bobby Darrin in their High Las Vegas periods -but as a statement of the confident masculinity which the salesman seek to exude it's perfect. Sean Savoie's set perfectly establishes the show's world: the first act takes place in a rundown Chinese restaurant, which is transformed for the second act into a rundown real estate office. Water stains on the walls and tacky wood paneling contradict the salesmen's delusions of self-importance: if they were really any good, they wouldn't be working out of this dump. Bonnie Kruger's costume designs find a way to differentiate seven middle-aged white guys in suits so the character of each is clear.

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Mark Bretz - Ladue News

There are excellent star turns by Bobby Miller (who also was stunning in a memorable Theatre Project Company version some two decades ago) as the desperate Levene and Peter Mayer as the vulgar, vicious Moss. Mayer veritably explodes at any given time, and he plays delightfully with Mamet’s ingeniously clever dialogue to make his points, while Miller expertly etches the desperation in Levene’s pitiful attempts at survival.

Jerry Russo is outstanding as Roma, demonstrating his higher plane in this survival-of-the-fittest environment with his French cuffs and perfectly coiffed hair, yet unleashing snarling savagery at the slightest provocation. B. Weller is terrific as Lingk, a timid and invisible sort who is mesmerized by Roma’s braggadocio until his wife utters a clarion call to reality. Chopper Leifheit is engaging and amusing as the perseverant and naively charming Aaronow, while Christopher Lawyer is solid as the tightly coiled Williamson, reviled by all until they need his help for crucial sales leads. G.P. Hunsaker satisfactorily completes the cast as an impatient police detective called to investigate a robbery.

Sean Savoie starkly lights his spartan set, a grim pair of tables with chairs for the opening act in a Chinese restaurant, a functional desk for the second act in the office, along with a pair of doors at either end of the stage to Williamson’s office and the hallway, although more clutter and chaos would be appropriate in Act II. Bonnie Kruger dresses these modern-day warriors in their three-piece uniforms, and Alexa Shoemaker provides an appropriately macho soundtrack by the likes of Rat Packers Sinatra, Martin and Davis.

Glengarry Glen Ross remains a gritty, grueling and grotesque world where the sun never shines and the good have long ago left for a warmer climate.

Rating: A 5 on a scale of 1-to-5.

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Joe Pollack - KWMU

David Mamet's Pulitzer Prize-winning "Glengarry Glen Ross," a Hot City production at the Kranzberg, is Mamet at his obscenity-laden best, with Annamaria Pileggi's direction focused like a magnifying glass and properly searing Mamet’s meaty roles. Bobby Miller, Jerry Russo and Peter Mayer are the salesmen, ignoring truth and as tightly focused on closing the deal as the bankers and fund managers of recent days. No one is honest, nor ethical – the Almighty Dollar is the goal, with no morals to stand in the way. Watching them gang up on an impressive B. Weller as an innocent customer is a study in horror.

Christopher Lawyer is the excellent penny-ante boss, flaunting his power and dedication to rules, but willing to put them aside when he scents extra money. Miller is brilliant as a man about to be left behind, Mayer, his veins protruding, fears a similar fate and Russo, blustering and powerful, is riding high – at the moment. A tough, gritty play with acting to match.