Bleeding Heart Theatre Produces David Mamet's OLEANNA, Now thru May 17

Bleeding Heart Theatre and Xua Xua Productions present Oleanna by David Mamet. A simple meeting between professor and student becomes a nightmare of gender politics, political correctness, and ambition gone sour in this controversial modern classic. Playing today, May 6-17 at the Havana Theatre, Tuesday-Saturday at 8pm. Tickets $15. Booking and more info at www.bleedinghearttheatre.com.

Called "the ultimate he said-she said" by the New York Times, Oleanna dares its audiences to take a side. A direct response to the Clarence Thomas-Anita Hill controversy that dominated American headlines in 1991, audiences have been split down the middle by it since its debut. In fact, it seems that no matter which side audience members take, they will find out that they were wrong.

"The first time I read Oleanna, I was devastated by it," says director and producer Evan Frayne, an established local actor and rising director, recently having worked on the acclaimed comedy The Foreigner. "I yearn to be moved and engaged within the theatre," he continues, "we work towards presenting Oleanna with that first experience in mind. We wanted to work on something that would push us."

Mamet's trademark razor-sharp dialogue and uncanny ability to stir up controversy have made this story a modern classic, one that actors and directors dream of sinking their teeth into. That is just the case for the creative team behind this production.

Oleanna will mark Bleeding Heart Theatre's fourth production, following Helen Edmundson's Mother Teresa is Dead. Directed by Evan Frayne and starring Susie Coodin (Taming of the Shrew) and Anthony F. Ingram (Uncle Vanya). Sound design byJames Coomber (Mother Theresa is Dead). Set design by Carolyn Rapanos. Lighting design by Graham Ockley (Measure for Measure). Stage management by Susan Miyagishimi.