‘Glengarry Glen Ross’ reading to take place June 14

June 11, 2014 | Arts, Events, UToday
By Lindsay Mahaney



A tale of scams, real estate, robbery and greed of Chicago’s seedy underbelly will be painted in the minds of audience members by seven men sitting on stools behind music stands.

Glengarry-Glen-RossActors Collaborative Toledo will present a concert reading of the production “Glengarry Glen Ross” by David Mamet Saturday, June 14, at 8 p.m. in The University of Toledo’s Center for Performing Arts Recital Hall.

“Readings are really about the words and the characters,” said Kate Abu-Absi, director of UT’s Arts Living and Learning Community, who is directing the reading. “It’s something that audiences find hard to describe until they see a reading and they’re like ‘OK, I totally thought it was going to be boring, but in some respects I find it more interesting because I was actually paying attention to the script.’”

The story revolves around six salesmen, scam artists who are trying to meet their quota for selling real estate, but are having trouble finding leads. Knowing their boss has many leads hidden in his office, the colleagues joke that someone should steal them.

The following morning the salesmen discover that someone has robbed the office and a storm of accusations begins, but no one is willing to admit he was behind the heist.

Shelly “The Machine” Levene will be read by Jeff Albright, George Aaronow will be played by Matthew Gretzinger, and Richard “Ricky” Roma will be read by Qarie Marshall, all UT alumni. Abu-Absi is also a UT alumna.

Abu-Absi said she enjoys giving a female perspective on a story all about men. She said she likes that she can question the male motives of the story from her perspective.

“There’s not a weak character in this show,” Abu-Absi said. “I’m working with super-talented — crazy-talented — people. It’s kind of fun to be able to be a part of a show that you know you’d never be able to perform since it’s an all-male cast.”

Tickets cost $10 and will be available at the door.

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