Oleanna 1992

Opened: October 3, 1992
Closing: January 16, 1994

Oleanna - 1992 - Off-Broadway History , Info & More

Orpheum Theatre New York
126 Second Avenue New York, NY 10003

Oleanna, by David Mamet, is a controversial play that explores the murky territory of power dynamics and communication breakdowns. Professor John, known for his challenging teaching style, meets with Carol, a struggling student seeking help with his course material. Their initial conversation starts tense but seemingly manageable.



However, as the play progresses, a misunderstanding snowballs into a horrifying accusation. John's attempts to clarify his words and intentions are misinterpreted, and Carol, feeling increasingly isolated and unheard, seeks retribution. The play utilizes sharp dialogue and a rapid-fire back-and-forth, leaving the audience questioning the truth and the motives of both characters. Oleanna is a thought-provoking exploration of power imbalances, the dangers of miscommunication, and the devastating consequences when good intentions go awry.

Get Oleanna Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Bill Pullman & Raymond Lee to Star In Taper Legacy Reading Of THE TRIAL OF THE CATONSVILLE NINE
by Blair Ingenthron - Apr 27, 2024


Center Theatre Group has announced “The Trial of the Catonsville Nine,” featuring Bill Pullman (Independence Day, The Sinner, Oleanna, The Goat, or Who Is Sylvia?), and Raymond Lee (Quantom Leap, Kevin Can F*** Himself, Vietgone, Tokyo Fish Story), as the first in a series of Taper Legacy Readings on Saturday, May 18 at 7 p.m. at the Mark Taper Forum.

Riverside Theatre Presents OLEANNA Next Month
by Stephi Wild - Feb 23, 2023


Riverside Theatre, led by Producing Artistic Director/CEO Allen D. Cornell, Managing Director/COO Jon R. Moses and Director of Special Initiatives/CFO Patti Rooney, presents David Mamet’s award-winning drama, Oleanna.

Atlantic Theater Extends CORNELIA STREET Starring George Abud, Norbert Leo Butz, Mary Beth Peil, and More
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 18, 2023


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) has announced an extension for the world premiere musical Cornelia Street. The production, which will begin performances this Friday, January 20th and open on Tuesday, February 14th, will now play through Sunday, March 5th, Off-Broadway at Atlantic Stage 2.

George Abud, Norbert Leo Butz, Mary Beth Peil & More to Star in CORNELIA STREET World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2022


Atlantic Theater Company has announced casting for the world premiere musical Cornelia Street, with a book by Tony Award winner Simon Stephens. Find out who is joining the cast, the performance schedule and how to get tickets.

Majestic Rep Presents David Mamet's Scorching OLEANNA Opens In July
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 15, 2022


One of the most controversial and celebrated plays of the last thirty years, Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet's Oleanna makes its Majestic Rep debut in a limited run, July 14 through 24.

Katonah Classic Stage to Present OLEANNA This Fall
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Sep 14, 2021


Katonah Classic Stage, Westchester County's newest, nonprofit, professional theatre company dedicated to classic dramatic and comedic works, presents David Mamet's seminal play, Oleanna, this November at the Bedford Historical Hall.

BWW Review: OLEANNA, Arts Theatre
by James Ayles - Jul 29, 2021


An unflinching examination of power and gender roles told through the perspective of a student-teacher relationship that is unafraid to pose difficult questions of its audience.

BWW Review: OLEANNA, Theatre Royal Bath
by Cheryl Markosky - Dec 9, 2020


Can a controversial production that was staged nearly 30 years ago still feel relevant today? The answer is a resounding yes.

DANCING AT LUGHNASA Comes to The Gladstone Theatre
by Stephi Wild - Feb 25, 2020


Opening just in time for St. Patrick's Day a?' and just in time to mark renowned local director John P. Kelly's 50th year in theatre - two resident companies at The Gladstone are teaming up to present Brian Friel's masterpiece Dancing at Lughnasa. Opening March 12 and running until the 21st, this classic play was the winner of the 1992 Tony Award for Best Play, the Outer Critics Circle Award for Best Broadway Play and the New York Drama Critics Circle Award for Best Play.

BWW Review: Scottsdale Desert Stages Theatre Presents OLEANNA
by Herbert Paine - Oct 21, 2019


In what has been her ongoing commitment to present David Mamet's works with fidelity to his themes and rhythms, director Virginia Olivieri has delivered a compelling and explosive version of OLEANNA, featuring solid performances by Rachel Brumfield and Peter Cunniff. OLEANNA runs through November 17th at Desert Stages Theatre, located inside Scottsdale Fashion Square.

Desert Stages Theatre Presents David Mamet's OLEANNA
by Julie Musbach - Oct 11, 2019


Desert Stages Theatre (DST) announces the opening of the two person production, a?oeOleannaa?? on Friday, October 11 at Scottsdale Fashion Square. a?oeOleannaa?? is based on the 1992 controversial drama written by David Mamet.

Fractured Theatre @WTG Presents OLEANNA, By David Mamet
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 27, 2019


In its fourth production, Fractured Theatre, which calls itself the 'edgy little cousin' of the Windham Theatre Guild, again takes up provocative themes with contemporary resonance. 

Walnut's Independence Studio on 3 Season Continues With OLEANNA
by BWW News Desk - Jan 17, 2019


Walnut Street Theatre's 2018-19 Independence Studio on 3 Season continues with the gripping and timely play, OLEANNA. Written by David Mamet and directed by Debi Marcucci, the production begins previews on January 15, opens January 17, and continues through February 17.

THE EMPTY NESTERS Comes to Zephyr Theatre In January
by BWW News Desk - Jan 17, 2019


Helicopter parents facing the question of what they want to be when their kids grow up is the focus in the new comedy-drama The Empty Nesters by award-winning playwright Garret Jon Groenveld.  This warm and witty look at a couple who drop their youngest child off at college and then take what may be a life-changing trip to the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, is helmed by Los Angeles based director Richard Seyd, and stars real-life empty nesters John (JW) Walker and Pamela Gaye Walker, who reunite on stage after a 20 year hiatus. 

OLEANNA Opens On Thursday At Walnut Street Theatre
by A.A. Cristi - Jan 15, 2019


Walnut Street Theatre's 2018-19 Independence Studio on 3 Season continues with the gripping and timely play, OLEANNA. Written by David Mamet and directed by Debi Marcucci, the production begins previews on January 15, opens January 17, and continues through February 17.

Walnut's Independence Studio on 3 Season Continues With OLEANNA
by BWW News Desk - Jan 15, 2019


Walnut Street Theatre's 2018-19 Independence Studio on 3 Season continues with the gripping and timely play, OLEANNA. Written by David Mamet and directed by Debi Marcucci, the production begins previews on January 15, opens January 17, and continues through February 17.

Walnut's Independence Studio on 3 Season Continues With OLEANNA
by Julie Musbach - Dec 27, 2018


Walnut Street Theatre's 2018-19 Independence Studio on 3 Season continues with the gripping and timely play, OLEANNA. Written by David Mamet and directed by Debi Marcucci, the production begins previews on January 15, opens January 17, and continues through February 17.

THE EMPTY NESTERS Comes to Zephyr Theatre In January
by A.A. Cristi - Dec 12, 2018


Helicopter parents facing the question of what they want to be when their kids grow up is the focus in the new comedy-drama The Empty Nesters by award-winning playwright Garret Jon Groenveld.  This warm and witty look at a couple who drop their youngest child off at college and then take what may be a life-changing trip to the Skywalk at the Grand Canyon, is helmed by Los Angeles based director Richard Seyd, and stars real-life empty nesters John (JW) Walker and Pamela Gaye Walker, who reunite on stage after a 20 year hiatus. 

World Premiere of MY STATION IN LIFE Opens This Week At Gloucester Stage
by Julie Musbach - Oct 9, 2018


Gloucester Stage Company wraps up its 39th season of professional theater with the world premiere of Ken Riaf's My Station in Life from October 12 through October 28 at Gloucester Stage Company, 267 East Main Street, Gloucester, MA. From the rubble of his studio dungeon, Simon Geller, the last standing single-handed radio operator in the country, broadcasts commercial free classical music from Gloucester - the town that loves and endures his peculiar presence.

OLEANNA Performs One Weekend Only In The Black Box At Perseverance
by A.A. Cristi - Aug 20, 2018


Power, privilege, and political correctness collide in David Mamet's Oleanna, performing August 23-26 as part of the Black Box series at Perseverance Theatre. Enrique Bravo directs Erika Bergren and Bryan Crowder, two young Juneau actors portraying two deeply flawed characters on opposite sides of a campus sexual harassment case.

BWW Review: OLEANNA provokes at The Landing Theatre Company
by Brett Cullum - Jul 30, 2018


OLEANNA demands to be seen again, and The Landing Theatre Company has just the right chops to bring it to life at 14 Pews. It feeds off the intimate space, and they have found two actors who have the energy to deliver the message at the right pitch to make the audience squirm.

BWW Picks Stars We'd Love to See in Female GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS
by Alan Henry - Jun 26, 2018


Our team put our heads together to figure out who we'd want to appear in the production! Check out some of our picks below - and join in the coversation on Facebook and Twitter to share your thoughts!

Is An All-Female GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS Coming To Broadway?
by Alan Henry - Jun 26, 2018


People Magazine reports that an all-female production of GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS is coming to Broadway.

Cate Blanchett and Stephen Dillane Will Perform In World Premiere By Martin Crimp
by Stephi Wild - Jun 13, 2018


A new play by Martin Crimp (Attempts on Her Life, In the Republic of Happiness). Directed by Katie Mitchell (Waves, Cleansed) with a cast including Cate Blanchett, who makes her National Theatre debut alongside Stephen Dillane returning to the National Theatre for the first time since The Coast of Utopia in 2002.

David Mamet's Weinstein Play Eyes London Bow and John Malkovich as its Lead
by Stephi Wild - May 25, 2018


As BroadwayWorld previously reported, David Mamet has written a play about the sexual assault scandal surrounding Harvey Weinstein. The play is titled 'Bitter Wheat,' which the playwright reveal to the Chicago Tribune in February. Now, more details are emerging about the play and its potential upcoming production.

Oleanna FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of Oleanna have there been?
Oleanna has had 1 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1992.
What awards has Oleanna been nominated for?
Oleanna has been nominated for several awards. It was nominated for Best Off Broadway Play at the Outer Critics Circle Awards and for Outstanding New Play at the Drama Desk Awards. These nominations were for the work of David Mamet.

Videos