Review by Ashlei Havili Thomas
Oleanna by David Mamet is a play well suited to the Regent Street Black Box Theater and its resident theatre company The Sting and Honey Company. Located in the heart of downtown Salt Lake City, Oleanna is an intense production that is relatively short at ninety minutes with no intermission. But Oleanna but packs a wallop with themes of sexual harassment and the authenticity of such claims. The two-person performance by the Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright tells the story of John, a college professor and his female student, Carol, as they meet in his office on three separate occasions. Originally written as a response to the Anita Hill and Clarence Thomas hearings, The Sting and Honey Company’s production shows the relevance of this classic play in a post #MeToo world. Oleanna is the perfect drama to kick off this fall performance season here in Salt Lake City.
Oleanna opens with Carol seeking help from her professor, John, to pass his course. After John promises her an “A” if she just meets with him alone in his office a few more times, Carol reports him to the tenure committee for sexual harassment. Each meeting becomes more intense as the stakes move even higher. John is played by Javen Tanner, artistic director for The Sting and Honey Company and director of this production. Tanner is phenomenal, moving smoothly from the poised and somewhat self-aggrandizing professor to a man cracking under enormous pressure. Tanner performs with acute precision, creating the perfect counterpoint to Carol (Suni Gigliotti). Gigliotti’s performance is youthful, starting from a “damsel in distress” and slowly becoming a self-assured powerhouse as she wins her case against John. Tanner and Gigliotti play off each other with no small amount of skill, each act turning into part of this tug of war.
The set design (also by Javen Tanner) is simple, consisting of two chairs, a long table and a black backdrop. Yet even here, Tanner uses everything at his disposal with precision. The slow movement of the table from act to act brings to mind tipping scales of power, starting on John’s side and slowly tipping in Carol’s favor. Tara Lynn Tanner’s costume design is also simple, but instantly makes the character’s roles recognizable. The lighting design (Emma Bayless) seems harsh and clinical at the start, but the sterility of the overhead lighting casts everything and everyone in cold, unflattering reality. Roger Dunbar is the fight director. While Dunbar’s work takes up the smallest amount of time, he uses it to full advantage. One fellow theatergoer mentioned in a whisper, “I almost wanted to intervene, I was so shocked.” Overall, the subtlety of the design choices lend themselves to the production seamlessly, allowing for Javen Tanner and Gigliotti’s performances to really shine.
The Sting and Honey Company’s production of Oleanna by David Mamet in downtown Salt Lake City is a great date night experience. This play, both in language and theme, is best for mature audiences. Do not let this deter you from seeing this production. While Utah does love its musicals, dramatic plays like Oleanna don’t come around often. The Sting and Honey Company brings a less performed piece to life, creating an intimate atmosphere for the audience to enjoy being thrilled and moved. Oleanna is a powerful look at the complexity of sexual harassment, reminding the audience that few things in life are clear cut.
The Sting and Honey Company presents Oleanna by David Mamet.
Regent Street Black Box at the Eccles 144 Regent St, Salt Lake City, UT 84111
Tickets: $15-20
Sept 21-23, 28-30, Oct 5-7 7:30 PM, Sept 23, 30 Oct 7, 2023 2:00 PM
The Sting and Honey Company Facebook page
Oleanna Facebook event
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