‘Non-Liberal’ Mamet In For Big Year on Broadway
by Stage Right
“I took the liberal view for many decades, but I believe I have changed my mind.” – David Mamet
As I discussed in my very first post here at Big Hollywood, many in the theatre world were surprised to read David Mamet’s amazing article, “Why I am No Longer A Brain-Dead Liberal” in the Village Voice. In my post, I used the play “Oleanna” as an example of a conservative lean that I recognized in Mamet’s work when it premiered off-Broadway in 1992. I concluded with a couple of questions:
The real test will be when Mamet offers a new work for public consumption. Will it be viewed through a new spectrum? Will critics recognize Mamet’s un-deniable brilliance? Or, will a hidden meaning be searched for in every scene and in every rapid-fire dialogue sequence?
It turns out we won’t have to wait long for an answer. Our current Broadway season will feature two major productions from Mr. Mamet, and both deal with the most controversial political issues of our time: Race and Gender.
This week, the Mark Taper Forum’s revival of the aforementioned “Oleanna” will open on Broadway. ”Oleanna” was universally hailed when presented in the wake of the Clarence Thomas hearings. Many of the critics praised Mamet for being so even-handed in its presentation that it was hard for people to really know if the accused man was truly guilty of sexual harassment. Now that Mamet has “outed” himself, will they still see “Oleanna” and Mamet as “even-handed?”
Later this winter will see the opening of the brilliantly and economically titled: ”Race” directed by Mamet, himself. Precious few details have been leaked about the plot other than a quick description in Mr. Mamet’s recent, must-read NY Times op-ed:
In my play a firm made up of three lawyers, two black and one white, is offered the chance to defend a white man charged with a crime against a black young woman. It is a play about lies.
How will “Race” be received in the Era of Obama with the knowledge that Mamet is no longer a “brain-dead liberal”?
I plan to use my space here at Big Hollywood to let you know. I will be providing a run-down of the critics’ reactions to these plays and any direct, personal attacks on Mr. Mamet and/or his politics.
In the true tradition of Broadway, I can provide you a “preview.” The Atlantic Theatre Company just opened two Mamet one-acts under the single title: “Two Unrelated Plays” by David Mamet. There is a very useful website called “Critic-O-Meter” which compiles all of the reviews for plays that open in New York. I use the site often as a resource. The proprietors of the site provide a quick synopsis of the reviews before linking to each, individual one. In its synopsis of the Mamet one-acts, the site provided this helpful information:
Despite writing some bona-fide classics, David Mamet hasn’t written a good play since The Cryptogram, devoting most of his time to creating a third-rate 24, excoriating Jews who aren’t into ethnic cleansing as self-hating and– in his essays in the Times and the Voice– doing his borscht-belt imitation of Ann Coulter’s schtick. Ah well, he has a banner season ahead of him anyway, including a revival of Oleanna (the first step in his artistic downfall) and a new play called Race, both of which open on Broadway this season.
Mr. Mamet: Welcome to the Vast Right-Wing Conspiracy.
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40 Comments
Apparently art has to be produced by a liberal to be art.
Most of the time Mamet drives me up the wall with his repitions of words and phrases. I feel like I hit my thumb with a hammer. Every now and then I slip into the patter and it seems to pull me along.
That said, I am curious how his shift to the Right will influence his story-telling ideologies.
I have always been and will continue to be a huge David Mamet fan. His political views would not deter me from enjoying his great body of work. I have seen many of his plays and own several of his films on DVD. A modern giant.
Mamet has always seemed like a conservative to me. He's written a couple of books about acting and writing that have a very 'stop whining' tone to them. I hope he can be an influence because I suspect there are more 'brain-dead liberals in the arts who aren't *all dead* they're just *mostly dead*, and they might be saved.
Looking forward to getting your updates on this. Thanks!
I never realized he was liberal, but if he were and continued to be so, it's good to know that he wouldn't be one of the intolerant, facist variety.
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Welcome to the Dark Side, David. The black cloaks are "one-size-fits-all". (Just like all the liberal sterotypes.)
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Okay, So I've never been enthusiastic about Mamet and his delightful confession where he speaks Truth to the Powers of the liberal-left theater world doesn't change my view of his art.
But if there is a dissident like Mamet within the belly of the intolerant Broadway beast, can the rest of the Liberal theater establishment survive someone who shines the critical self-righteous spotlight into a mirror? Mamet must be considered the only true courageous artist on Broadway as he afflicts the comfortable/upper-middle class theater crowd too.
Thank you, Stage Right. I am a "closeted" conservative screenwriter, and nothing could more powerfully confirm my instinct to remain closeted than the reaction that the newly conservative Mamet is already beginning to receive at the hands of the liberal establishment.
He will be eaten alive.
I believe you are correct sir. The attacks will be relentless. That said Mr. Mamet is a pretty tough guy. He will be just fine.
I really enjoyed "The Unit" and was sorry to see it canceled. I have to wonder if Mamet's outing himself had something to do with that.
I can't imagine he much cares. What would be really amusing is if the play does really well despite universally negative professional reviews. It's hard to believe that if a guy of his ability writes a truly honest play about hot-button issues, that it won't do well.
High-five, Everyone!
Great work on adding another one to the ranks of the very VAST Right-Wing Conspiracy.
Whom should we target next…?
PS: With all due respect, Broadway should be honored to have some fresh ideas on stage.
About three weeks ago, I flickered past the movie review show which used to feature Siskal and Ebert. The hosts are now A.O. Scott qnd Michael Phillips Scott, at the time I paused the remote. was going on about how Mamet was one of the most overrated of playwrights.
It didn't take long!
Sadly true. It's amazing what admitting your politics will do to your rep.
As a shiska who loves the F-word and drops the F-bomb on too many occasions, I've always loved Mamet (though I consider "American Buffalo" to be vastly overrated). IMO, Mamet outed himself as a Thomas Sowell conservative years ago. Not from his plays so much but from his various collections of non-fiction writings. He's always had it in for the lefty self-hating , PLO-loving playwrights that abound in NY theatre.
You cannot truly know Mamet without reading his "Bastard Son" non-fiction book, published a few years ago.
I predict his reviews for "Race" will be lukewarm at best simply because he's no longer a member of "the team."
NY theatre critics, particulary the foppish Ben Brantley, re-define subjective criticism.
Love Mamet. Most familiar with his films. The man is going to be tested. He's going to find out just how
(un) open-minded the left is. Have the courage of your convictions, David. They will hate you for seeing the truth and, worst, saying so out loud. But so what!? They're children.
I noticed in in his "Brain Dead" essay and as well in the NY Times piece an overly sanguine sense of how people are "working it out," that is, he betrays a deep misunderstanding of the Left. There will no reconciliation with the Left — this is no marriage, and fatigue and forgiveness will play no part in the unfolding of this national political drama.
I think he's probably severely damaged himself with his comments. Leftists do not take apostasy easily. That being said, first prize is a Cadillac El Dorado. Anyone want to see second prize?
Well, this will be interesting; the snarky synopsis of Mamet's one-acts revealing his personal political views appears to be a preview.
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Good observation Mouse.
Well, he was a genius but now??????
I like Mamet's work; makes one think and think deeply. How can that be bad?
Go David.
Loved the Unit as well. Jonas Blaine makes Jack Bauer look like a pansy.
Well said.
One thing's for sure. He can forget about winning a Nobel prize!
I suspect that the conflict raging between left and right ultimately hinges on the arts, not on politics. A left heavy art world can't maintain a house of cards indefinitely. Or in this case, maybe that should be "House of Games".
I agree. I have been a fan of Mamet for years and was always a bit surprised to read that he was a liberal. His stories and writings definitely didn't "feel" liberal. So, when he outed himself a few years ago, I was not at all surprised. It was more of a feeling of "what took you so long?"
Yeah, I caught that too. It's A.O. Scott (from the NY Times) who doesn't like Mamet. Coincidentally, he also highly recommended Michael Moore's latest film.
LOVED the Unit – great chemistry, solid acting (I'll watch anything even remotely affiliated with William H Macy) and a terrific tribute to the men and women in uniform willing to take on the burdens of protecting the rest of us. I have to say that I've never been too keen on Mamet's wife Rebecca Pidgeon's style, and she seems to be in every one of his shows… but it's a small price to pay. Also loved his recent Red Belt.
The reviews of "Race" have already been written. The line will be "Mamet's past his prime, maybe getting senile. He used to be good, but no more. Save your money."
If it's really good, and audiences keep going despite the negative reviews, there's another weapon they can use: Mamet isn't serious art. He's just entertainment, like a community theater production of "Mamma Mia," or the paintings of Thomas Kinkade.
However, there _is_ a way he can find his way back into their good graces: all he has to do is start insulting Republicans and he'll be welcomed back.
During my undergrad years, I entertained dreams of eking out a living as an actor. It didn't take too long for me to lose any desire I ever had to work in the industry. I admire people who stick with it and don't lose their soul. I have since gone back to school and am now earning my Masters in Teaching so I can go back to a level where the joy in the art is the primary focus. Anyway, my first and most influential acting coach had studied under Sanford Meisner and worked for a while with Mr. Mamet. She passed on to me a love of his plays (especially the hilarious and thought provoking "Duck Variations" which is a real blast to perform). I didn't always agree with the sentiments in his plays, especially in some of the older ones, but it crap like this that led to my disenfranchisement with the industry. I find it incredibly disturbing that a mind as brilliant as his could be derided simply because the reviewers are so shallow, closed minded, and intolerant of intellectual dissent. The whole thing nauseates me to the point that I can't even think of the right words to express how wrong it is. All I can say is that I have no regrets over my decision to pursue teaching instead of acting. To those of you who stick with the industry, I admire you for your saintly patience and levels of self-control that I was never be able to muster (let's just say that I have my opinion and I have trouble refraining from sharing it…).
My initial reaction to Mamet's "conversion" hasn't changed. There are brain dead liberals, I've met some. There are "brain dead" people of every ideology.
Mamet was a brain dead liberal, now he's a brain dead conservative. 'Spartan' and 'State and Main' sucked, you can have him.
The experiences of the left's intolerance of his changed mind will hopefully give him great material and perspective for a new play.
"The experiences of the left's intolerance of his changed mind will hopefully give him great material and perspective for a new play."
EXACTLY! Would love to see those plays!
And whoever said 'David, welcome to the Vast Right Wing Conspiracy' – good one!
And I love how Mamet said that his wife saw his 'conversion' coming when he would yell at NPR as they were driving and how he came to call it National Palestinian Radio. Brilliant.
I wish I could learn to write dialog half as well as Mamet. BTW, the post about Gene Hackman doesn't mention his work in Heist, a Mamet film I can watch over and over. I'd love to hear what Ricky Jay has to say about Mamet's new critics now that he's outed himself as a former liberal. Jay doesn't suffer fools gladly.
I can only judge Mamet by his movies. I have never seen his plays. It's unlikely I ever will.
Nonetheless, just going on "House of Games," "Glengarry Glen Ross," "Homicide" and "The Spanish Prisoner," I would have to rank him high on the list of writers and directors who make you think.
Just as Vonnegut, as a writer, did in his early novels.
Frankly, 24 is a third-rate The Unit. Of course, The Unit always had a lot more flexibility. But I loved that show…I wish we could see a Unit movie.
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