by Lonnie the Theatre Lady
Many say the playwright, David Mamet, wrote the controversial “Oleanna” in 1992, shortly after. and as a response to the Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill hearings. It’s a foreshadowing of the #MeToo movement that came into being approximately 15 years later.
Carol (Mei Lu Barnum) a college student, comes to her professor John’s (David Whalen) office to ask him for help in understanding the course content, hoping that she can bring up her currently failing grade. (John is in the process of becoming tenured, and simultaneously buying a new house. Getting tenured, and the pay raise that comes with it, is vitally important for John to be able to afford the purchase of the new home.) Their conversation and interaction create a situation where an act of sexual harassment does or perhaps does not occur. That ambiguity is what makes this play so complex and compelling. If Carol’s allegations of sexual harassment are found to be credible, John will not be granted tenure and his plans to buy the new house will be destroyed.
Whalen’s portrayal of John is a master class in acting. His mercurial mood changes go from benign and a bit pompous in the beginning of the show to enraged at the end. He simmers as the tension increasingly grows inside him— pulling himself back to a reasonable calm, followed by palpable anxiety and anger. He is brilliant in this role— totally embodying his character. Every gesture, voice inflection, and facial expression is intentional and riveting.
Barnum’s portrayal of her character is compelling. Carol presents herself as a humorless, naive, country girl and later transforms into a vicious, vengeful tyrant. Barnum is wonderful in this role. She appears to physically grow in stature as she becomes more resolute and more confident. Barnum’s performance is flawless — she’s totally engaged in her character. She forces the audience to question whether she is the perpetrator or the victim.
The beautiful office set (Johnmichael Bohach) is serene and sophisticated, making it the perfect foil for the raging emotional battleground within.
Andrew Paul (director) deserves congratulations for his attention to fostering and bringing out all the nuances of these two extremely complex characters. Well done.
I cannot imagine this edgy, intense show, with it’s unexpected twists and turns, being done any better than this production.This is the ultimate proof of the premise that smart theater provokes conversation and debate. If you are fortunate enough to experience this provocative, exceptionally well done production, it’s guaranteed that it will stick with you and you will be talking about it for days, if not longer. Exceptional, captivating theater–not to be missed!
– LTL
“Oleanna” runs from July 11-28 at the Richard E. Rauh Studio Theatre in the basement of the Cathedral of Learning, 4200 Forbes Avenue, Pittsburgh, PA 15260. For more information, click here.
