I caught "Glengarry Glen Ross" last night at The Rep and I would really have to say, "It's a guy thing." Last time I checked: not a guy. So, as long as we fully acknowledge the elephant in the living room, we can get on with business.

Money, greed, power, machismo -- it's all there. So if you like that stuff, you'll love this play! No really, it was just a little "male" for me. I went to experience a play by David Mamet, known for writing intense dialog with a rhythm and poetry of its own, and to witness the also well-known James DeVita in action. Glad I got that out of my system!

I would venture to guess that the purpose of the play is to invoke social commentary on the more negative aspects of the capitalist system that is held so dear in our fine country. Do I enjoy looking at that bit zit in the middle of my face in the mirror? I might rather not do it, but it is nonetheless important that I acknowledge it is there. You can't begin to fix the problem if you are living in denial.

I did really like that a large portion of the play was set in a Chinese restaurant, complete with numerous fortune cookies (although no one read their fortunes out loud). My ears perked up when Ricky Roma lyrically contemplated the past, the future and the power of the present moment. All good stuff, and a theme that was returned to. Unfortunately, it was only repeated in the name of making a sale and closing a deal on some poor sap like me; kind of like black magic (wah).

I give credit to the actors who played their parts effectively. You could definitely feel the stress and testosterone rising off of the stage. Amazingly, all this was accomplished without a punch being thrown, nor the use of a gun -- certainly a task many of today's screenwriters might strive to be worthy of.