Estate of emergency: ‘Glengarry Glen Ross’

The stakes are high for the fellows in the real estate office that’s struggling to sell land in two fancy new developments — Glengarry Highlands and Glen Ross Farms.
The profanity bomb count is even higher. And so is the drama, which is why audiences stay transfixed by David Mamet’s fast-paced “Glengarry Glen Ross,” which opens tonight at Live Arts.
Boomie Pedersen is in the director’s chair for a high-energy tale that took home a load of Tony Award nominations during its original Broadway run in 1984, including a best-featured-actor trophy for Joe Mantegna.
Pedersen’s cast includes Scott Dunn, Jim Johnston, Harold Langson, Bill LeSueur, Kevin O’Donnell, Christ Patrick and Michael Volpendesta.
Together, they’re continuing Live Arts’ ongoing journey through Mamet’s dramatic vision; previous productions have included “American Buffalo,” “Speed-the-Plow” and “Boston Marriage.”
“Glengarry Glen Ross” has stayed fresh over the years because — let’s face it — desperation doesn’t have an expiration date and greed never goes out of style. These guys will do just about anything to make a sale, close a deal and stay alive to fight another day. And considering how the volatility of real estate struggles in many communities across the country played a scenery-chewing role of its own in the current recession, there’s a whole new sense of relevancy to Mamet’s play these days.
Visit the Web site at http://www.livearts.org to reserve your seat, or call 977-4177, Ext. 108. There will be a Sunday matinee at 2 p.m. Oct. 4.
Keep in mind that tickets to Wednesday evening performances are on a “pay what you can” basis.
Next on the Live Arts schedule is “Gypsy: A Musical Fable,” which opens Oct. 2. A free preview is coming up on Oct. 1. Look for a large chunk of the team from Live Arts’ praised production of “Sweeney Todd” to be on board for the story of the mother of all stage mothers.