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Speed-The-Plow

by David Mamet
review by Joe Mader SF Weekly (May 10, 2000)
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This being the second production of this play in two months
(Into-the-Fire mounted the show in February), one might think David
Mamet's script is of some import. It's not. The show is a mechanical
construction. All a director can do is follow the directions and make the
play click -- no one could ever make it breathe. Teatro Shalom and
director Mike Acevedo hit most of the marks (the fight scene is directed
particularly well), but they can't convince us it's worth the bother. Mark
Castillo as Charles Fox, the would-be film producer watching his dream
project go up in flames, is terrific. With inventive line readings and high
energy, Castillo fluidly brings Fox to life. David Gassner as Bobby
Gould, the newly promoted studio exec who suddenly decides he should
use his office for good, not evil, fares less well. Gassner isn't a good
physical match for Castillo, bringing a callowness and occasional
awkwardness to the role. He stumbles a bit on some of the lines and
seems to lack the necessary steel of a studio bigwig. Katie Hemmeter is
often very funny as Karen the temp, but Karen is also the False
Redemptress, which dooms an actress, no matter how talented. There's
a misogyny to Speed-the-Plow that makes it an odd choice for a
company wanting to stage works that "have a balance of gender," as
Teatro Shalom's charter states.

Through May 27 at Exit Stage Left, 156 Eddy (between Mason and
Taylor), S.F. Admission is $14; call 602-4387.

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