Guide Note

The Play Glengarry Glen Ross by David Mamet focuses on four Chicago real estate agents who participate in unethical and illegal activities.

Act One

Act One begins with Shelley Levene who is desperate for money and fearful about losing his job because it has been a long time since he made a sale. He goes to extreme lengths to convince Manager John Williamson to sell him the Glengarry leads which are contacts for potential clients. Dave Moss and George Aaronow are exhausted from stress and Moss convinces Aaronow to break into the boss' offices to steal the Glengarry leads. Ricky Roma uses James Lingk's insecurities to impress him and convince him he wants adventure.

Act Two

John Williamson finds that his office has been broken into and many things including the Glengarry leads are missing. James Lingk, George Aaronow, and Ricky Roma are all acting nervous or guilty and Williamson calls in a police officer. Williamson lies in order to catch the thief and his ploy succeeds when Levene, who was the thief along with Moss, knows that Williamson is lying. Not knowing that Levene has been caught as the thief Roma asks Levene to form a partnership with him just before Levene is led away by the detective.

Fast Facts

1. Written by David Mamet
2. Two act play
3. Won the Pulitzer Prize in 1984
4. Broadway production won a Tony Award for Best Play
5. Premiered at the National Theatre in London
6. Premiered on September 21, 1983
7. First published in 1984
8. Revival in 1995 won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Play
9. Set in early 1980s
10. Genre is dark comedy
11. First performance directed by Bill Bryden
12. Major theme is business successes and failures

Quotations

1. "Because I don't like you."— John Williamson
2. "When I talk to the police I get nervous."— George Aaronow
3. "In or out. You tell me, you're out you take the consequences."— Dave Moss