Broadway's Oleanna, With Pullman and Stiles, Closes Dec. 6

By Kenneth Jones
and Adam Hetrick
06 Dec 2009

Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman in Oleanna
Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman in Oleanna
Photo by Craig Schwartz

The Broadway production of David Mamet's Oleanna, the provocative college-set drama about a female student and her professor, closes Dec. 6 at the Golden Theatre.

The production will have played 15 previews and 65 performances. The play by Pulitzer Prize winner Mamet stars Julia Stiles (making her Broadway debut) and Bill Pullman (The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?), under the direction of Tony Award winner Doug Hughes (Doubt).

Following an engagement last summer at The Mark Taper Forum, the Broadway run began previews on Sept. 29 and opened on Oct. 11 at The Golden Theatre (252 West 45th Street).

"On behalf of the producers, all of whom are so proud of this incredible production, we realize closing now is the best decision for the play," said producer Finn, who had previously announced a Jan. 3, 2010, closing. "While we all hoped Oleanna could run longer, looking over the next few weeks prior to the holidays, we know the most financially responsible decision is to avoid potential upcoming losses. This will allow us to still be able to return a distribution to the investors."

The drama, making its Broadway premiere after a life Off-Broadway more than a decade ago (there is also a film version), is billed as "the gripping account of a power struggle between a male university professor and one of his female students.

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Oleanna is produced by Jeffrey Finn, Arlene Scanlan, Jed Bernstein, Ken Davenport, Carla Emil, Ergo Entertainment, Harbor Entertainment, Elie Hirschfeld, Rachel Hirschfeld, HOP Theatricals, Brian Fenty/Martha H. Jones and Center Theatre Group.

The production features scenic design by Neil Patel, costume design by four-time Tony Award winner Catherine Zuber, lighting design by two-time Tony Award winner Donald Holder and fight direction by Rick Sordelet.

Tickets, $116.50 to $76.50, are available for purchase through visiting www.telecharge.com, calling (212) 239-6200 or visiting the Golden Theatre box office (252 West 45th Street).

The performance schedule for Oleanna is Tuesday at 7 PM, Wednesday through Saturday at 8 PM, with matinees Wednesday and Saturday at 2 PM and Sunday at 3 PM.

Student tickets, $25 each, are available at the box office, day of performance only, beginning when the box office opens. Tickets are subject to availability. Valid student ID required, two tickets per ID.

Visit www.OleannaOnBroadway.com.