Mamet Classic OLEANNA Starts Westchester Run

Known for Igniting Heated Debate Among Audiences - and Couples --
the Acclaimed Work Is More Timely than Ever

Continuing its commitment to present high-minded stage drama with a contemporary voice that captures the tenor of our times, newly-minted theater company GoJo Clan Productions brings David Mamet's Oleanna to the Hudson Valley for a limited engagement. The production is made possible by a grant through ArtsWestchester.

There will be six performances March 8-17 at Westchester Collaborative Theater in Ossining.

In Oleanna, a seemingly innocent exchange between a college professor and student turns into a fiendishly accurate X-ray of the mechanisms of power, censorship, and abuse.

The professor's chances at tenure suddenly are jeopardized by the female student's allegations against him of sexual exploitation. Mamet's bare-knuckles exploration of the "he said, she said" ambiguity - who should the audience believe? - was inspired by the historic Congressional hearings in the 1990s involving Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas and his accuser and employee Anita Hill.

Sizzling with suspense, the play famously keeps audiences on the edge of their seats - and puts couples at odds - as they struggle to decide who to side with. The play contains mature content appropriate for ages 13 and up.

Writing about the original off-Broadway production of the play, legendary critic Roger Ebert called Oleanna "one of the most stimulating experiences I've had in a theater."

Oleanna is directed Robin Anne Joseph and features Julia Boyes (as Carol, the student) and Duane Rutter (as John, the professor).

Friday and Saturday performances are at 8 p.m. March 8, 9, 15 & 16; Sunday performances are at 3 p.m. March 10 & 17. Tickets are $25 general admission, $20 students (18 and under) and seniors (65 and over). Tickets can be purchased online at BrownPaperTickets.com, or through GoJo Clan Productions' website. Westchester Collaborative Theatre is at 23 Water Street, Ossining, N.Y. 10562.

This production of Oleanna is made possible with funds from the Decentralization Program (DEC), a re-grant program of the New York State Council on the Arts, administered by ArtsWestchester, with the support of Governor Andrew Cuomo and the state legislature.