As I was gearing up to write this review on The Classics Theatre Project's Glengarry Glen Ross - ok, I ran behind, I admit it - I caught Theatre Arlington's I'm Proud of You in the meantime. Perhaps this was a fortuitous sequence of events, because the two both present vastly different sides of the masculine-male presenting experience. In one, the men are aggressive, steely and power hungry. The other showed the tender friendship that grew between two men over the course of years.
Both left memorable impressions.
TCTP opened David Mamet's Glengarry on Aug. 1 at The Stone Cottage in Addison. The comic-tragedy centered on four real estate agents of varied tenure and ages who resort to unethical practices to secure a name on the office chalkboard as the top earner that wins a new car.
Directed with fervor by John Pszyk, the production was fueled by the all-male cast's voracious appetite for Mamet's material.The roles were plumb with varying degree of warrior archetypes. Richard Roma was the ruthless one; Shelley Levene was filled with desperation for a sale; Dave Moss was conniving and ropes in the easily-manipulated George Aaronow into a sketchy endeavor. Hovering over all the agents is manager John Williamson who relishes the power he has to control each man.
The cast's performances were precise and well-honed. Joey Folsom embodied Richard Roma's abrasive nature, while John Cameron Potts consistently showed Williamson's disdain. Michael Miller delivered a forceful and magnetic portrayal of the caustic Dave, subtly hinting at his criminal intentions. Mark Craig's understated performance perfectly captured George's meekness.
Andrew Manning played Lingk, a client who is about to get fucked over by Roma. The character infused the show with some contrasting humanity amid the pool of sharks. Jason Davis' Baylen, the officer investigating a robbery, was effectively imposing that fit snugly in among the cast. Standing out was Anthony Magee's Shelley that displayed a dynamic blend of desperation and assertion. He straddled a sympathetic note along with an arrogant one for his character that resulted in a strong delivery.
Despite all the unlikeable characters (save for Lingk), Pszyk's direction and the cast landed as a compelling production. The characters' assertive, peacocking shouts that masked their infallibilities made Glengarry timely. TCTP's explosive production of Mamet's typically masculine work captivated with its engrossing drama, even despite its heartless male characters.
Almost the antithesis to Glengarry was TA's sentimental I'm Proud of You which opened last Friday. Written by former Star-Telegram reporter Tim Madigan and TCU theater professor Harry Parker, the play details the friendship Madigan built with Fred Rogers - or as many know him - Mr. Rogers. Parker also directed the 90-minute production.
The play unfolded at a relaxed pace while still never wasting a moment on perpetual exposition. Madigan and Parker's writing was efficient and concise in its storytelling as was Parker's direction.
For such a minimalist show with four actors, but two leads and a set of seats for each with one set piece of storage, the play wrung out the emotions of a sniffling audience by its ending. Madigan's story was deeply tender and comforting as the friendship evolved for the characters.
Richie Haratine and Randy Pearlman reprise their roles as Tim and Fred from Circle Theatre's world premiere of the show in 2023 along with Gabe Whitehurst as Actor No. 1 and Parker in the director's chair. Lana K. Hoover, Actor No. 2 was the sole newbie to this cast from Circle.
Haratine was very much the affable everyman in his portrayal of Tim. His performance was warm and inviting as the character navigated a busy work load, his family and a strained relationship with his brother all while meeting and befriending Fred Rogers.
Pearlman embodied the kindly Fred Rogers with understated charm. He never imitated the Mr. Rogers we all knew - a note Parker gave him back in 2023. There are no cardigans (minus the one in the promo pic above) or on-the-set familiarities. Pearlman's performance was beautifully still and expressed through his warm smiles and soft touches.
As a multitude of characters, Hoover added lovely touches as Fred Rogers' wife and even as Tim's son. Whitehurst's more notable performance as Tim's brother was a gem to watch as he conveyed a wide and complex emotional range.
This play gave space to male bonding with delightful depth. The former was fueled by competition and distrust. These two shows displayed masculinity at its worst and at its best but also displayed the range of relationships, friendships and brotherhood among men that make each worthwhile. To see the contrast of these two not only offered a breadth of storytelling, but also paraded the powerful talents and their distinct portrayals across the board. Glengarry Glen Ross at The Classics Theatre Project runs through Aug. 31. I'm Proud of You at Theatre Arlington runs through Aug. 24.