The student, like all Mamet women, is vague. The garrulous professor, or his clamoring telephone, interrupt her whenever she is about to say something revealing about herself. The picture is blurry and sinister. The action recalls tales of the Llorona, or the Lorelei or the Sirens coming at some defenseless guy through dark mists. He is defenseless because he lacks the cohort of male buddies that assists fairytale heroes.
Academia sometimes cultivates utopian hopes.
Cold lighting by Rep designer Christopher Akerlind slashes into the nervous action. The emotion is anxiety, a Mamet specialty. The familiar Mamet themes, characters and methods are there. The sexual static is tuned out, mostly. Director Kathleen Mary sets a tender, tentative tone for Brown Bag's production.