There’s a sucker born every minute.
Though the long-accepted source of that quote, the peerless showman P.T. Barnum, is actually a bit of humbug (there’s no proof he actually said it), the veracity of the statement is inarguable.
So too is the second, lesser known half of that perennial adage: And two to take him.
In case you’re not mathematically inclined, let me assure you that’s a system out of balance.
It is just such a scenario, however, an abundance of economic predators in an apparently suckerless world, that is the subject of theater icon David Mamet’s brilliant tour de force “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
The story, reportedly based on Mamet’s actual experiences in the world of sales, recounts the trials and troubles, schemes and sorrows, of a group of real estate salesman in a shady firm, “trying to grind out a living by pushing plots of land on reluctant buyers in a never-ending scramble for their share of the American dream,” in the words of the New York Times.
The play is undoubtedly one of the 10 greatest American plays, said Swinging Hammer Productions owner and founder Tom Challinor, who chose it as the second undertaking for the new island-based company after last year’s “American Buffalo,” another Mamet classic.
“Glengarry,” he said, “belongs on anybody’s short list. “I think probably more than anything it’s the important reflection of modern political and social American issues.”
“Glengarry Glen Ross,” on stage at the Grange Hall (10340 Madison Ave. NE) at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays to Sundays, through Oct. 16, returns “Buffalo” costars Chris Soldevilla and Ted Dowling, both familiar faces to island audiences, as well as several other Bainbridge stage staples, including Brian Danzig, Matt Eldridge, Robert Craighead and Rob Burke.
“It really is what I think is the cream of the crop of local professional and amateur actors coming together for this,” Challinor said. Six of the show’s seven players actually live here, and the seventh, Chip Wood, of Seattle, has performed here before.
Further immortalized by the masterful film adaptation, Mamet’s Pulitzer-winning play is an incredibly timely choice for Swinging Hammer, Challinor said, given the completely contemporary themes and issues it addresses.
“The issues that are in this play are directly playing out in this fall’s presidential election,” he said. “Issues of racism. Issues of economical pressures. Issues of a changing world that these character are increasingly feeling alienated from. They’re losing control of things they had control of in the past.”
The glory days the characters so overtly pine for, the early ’60s and its large scale population shift from rural agrarian economies to the big cities, included a bigger supply of rubes — er, um, customers — to buy the investments they’re hawking. They don’t like bosses, they don’t like customers and they do not like immigrants.
“They keep saying how the immigrants are not susceptible and the reason is because they’re smart,” Challinor said. The salesmen seem to think, “This is our birthright; to go rip off people is our birthright.” And this new and diverse, much more savvy, customer base just isn’t buying the old tricks anymore.
“What we’re looking at in ‘Glengarry’ is the fact that you have four salesmen but there’s only enough business to support two,” Challinor said. “When there’s a whole lot of suckers there’s plenty of opportunity for the takers, but now that that’s drying up the competition between these takers is what’s crushing them.
“The pressure’s [now] on the people who take.”
In typical Mamet fashion, the story moves along with rapid fire, obscenity-heavy dialogue and was, and remains, a controversial work. Which, of course, has done little to dampen audiences’ enthusiasm for it.
“This show is incredibly racist and misogynistic and profane,” Challinor said. “It doesn’t belong in a big family friendly theater. It belongs a little bit underground.”
The intimate setting of the Grange Hall has proven the perfect spot, though, and the show sold out for at least two of its first three nights.
“The audience here on Bainbridge very much understands there are different kinds of plays and this one has a very particular audience. And I think people who do enjoy this kind of theater are really appreciative of the opportunity to watch it,” Challinor said.
Though, those who only know the story from the movie are in for a shock. The, “Coffee is for closers,” negative reinforcement speech from the film’s famous opening is nowhere to be found.
“If you’re looking forward to the Alec Baldwin speech, it ain’t there,” laughed Challinor.
Rest assured though, the spirit’s the same. Remember: Always be closing — and you never open you mouth until you know what the shot is.
Tickets, $22 or $30, are available at www.swingham.com.
Always be closing
What: Swinging Hammer Productions’ “Glengarry Glen Ross.”
When: 7:30 p.m. Thursday to Sunday, Oct. 7 through Oct. 16.
Where: The Grange Hall (10340 Madison Ave. NE).
Admission: Tickets, $22 or $30 each, are available at www.swingham.com.
