Underwhelming ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ Revival: Celebrity Cast Can’t Save It!
Let’s dissect this theatrical misfire, shall we? The revival of David Mamet’s “Glengarry Glen Ross” at the Palace Theatre feels like a lukewarm cup of coffee—more a chore than a charm. Despite a star-studded lineup featuring Kieran Culkin, Bob Odenkirk, Bill Burr, and Michael McKean, this production offers less heat than a summer’s day in the Arctic. Opening night might as well have been a Monday morning meeting—full of potential but lacking any real excitement.
Mamet’s sharp, profane dialogue should be a veritable firecracker, but instead, it barely ignites a spark. The play revolves around a group of ruthless Chicago real estate salesmen, whose desperation and deceit are perfect fodder for Mamet’s biting wit. However, this revival feels more like a sleepy Sunday brunch than a cutthroat battle for survival. The infamous line about coffee being for “closers only”—while iconic—was notably absent from the stage, signaling a broader lack of urgency.
Why is this show such a hot ticket? Celebrity allure, naturally! But even the most talented actors can’t thrive in a cavernous venue like the Palace Theatre, which feels like a stadium for a football game rather than an intimate drama. The staging choices are baffling; the play’s tense, close-quarter dialogues are lost in the vastness of the space. Imagine watching a high-stakes poker game from the back of a stadium—you can imagine the tension, but you can’t feel it.
Culkin, known for his role in “Succession,” brings a quirky charm, but his portrayal lacks the killer instinct of his character, Ricky Roma. Odenkirk, channeling his inner Saul Goodman, manages to capture the essence of desperation in his character, Shelley Levene. Burr’s comedic timing is as sharp as ever, while McKean provides a heartfelt performance as the bumbling George Aaronow. Yet, even these talents can’t save the show from its overall mediocrity.
In short, this revival is not the electrifying showdown we hoped for. Instead, it’s a reminder that sometimes, even the brightest stars can dim when they’re placed in the wrong spotlight. So, unless you’re a die-hard fan of the cast, you might want to save your ticket money for a more riveting performance.
Class dismissed. Try not to let this newfound wisdom go to waste.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Post
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
