Taking Wall Street tycoons to the stage at Columbia

It may be ridden with profanity. It may only have male roles. But these two deterrents should not stop Columbia University from reviving David Mamet’s 1982 play Glengarry Glen Ross.

Set in the office of a struggling real estate agency, Mamet’s play proves relevant today. The current housing bubble and declining economy provide a pertinent context to a play written almost three decades ago.

Though it may be difficult to understand the depth of corruption and the viciousness of the business world through reading the newspapers, Glengarry Glen Ross provides a vivid context to this often distant world. In the same vein as Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, Glengarry Glen Ross portrays the brutal climate in which the businessman desperately tries to make ends meet.

The drama takes place over two days as the main characters—including such real estate moguls as the successful Richard ‘Ricky’ Roma and Shelley ‘The Machine’ Levene—prepare themselves to commit a multitude of unethical acts. Attempting by all means necessary, these characters scheme to get their hands on the ‘Glengarry leads,’ which are contact lists with likely prospects. Ending in chaos, a crime scene, and an arrest, Mamet’s play brings life and sympathy to some of his most despicable characters— this would present a challenge to Columbia actors. These characters, though fictional, all too closely resemble certain people whose names have recently crossed headlines in morning papers.

While the depths of Wall Street and Goldman Sachs are alien to many of us, the fast-talking salesman is not. As New Yorkers, we are bombarded with the business world more than those anywhere else in the country. As Columbians, we pride ourselves in our drive to raise questions. By producing Glengarry Glen Ross on campus, the Columbia community would be confronted with a pivotal economic point in history that is too easily left outside our iron gates. Actors could surely draw on Bernie Madoff,among countless other contemporary crooks, as their inspiration for Ricky and Shelley, relating daily happenings to the rhythm of the collegiate stage.

A commentary on business ethics, there is no better time or place to revive Mamet’s Glengarry Glen Ross than right now in Morningside Heights.