Star Slade in Oleanna | Photo by Elana Emer

Whatever you think of his cringy current politics, David Mamet wrote some real bangers back in the day. Oleanna is one of them. Icarus Theatre’s production is a handsome affair—tight, punchy and captivating from start to finish. Director Anthony Goncharov and his cast own Mamet’s rapid-fire dialogue—a trademark—which demands the characters repeat phrases, overlap and cut each other off with convincing naturalism. Conversation, despite all the talking, is stalled. Even before we get to know John (Aris Athanasopoulos), a professor, and Carol (Star Slade), his student, we recognize their dynamic is strained. That tension—another trademark—never lets up. Continue Reading