<em>Theatre Review:</em> "Race," at The Suzanne Roberts
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - Playwright David Mamet's new Broadway play, "Race," has moved to Philadelphia's Suzanne Roberts Theatre.
While the directorial chores are now in the hands of Scott Zigler and there are some new cast members, the play has lost little of its nastiness.
The drama unravels in the law office of two practicing attorneys, one white, the other black. There's also a well educated African-American female hired as an office associate who, in Act I, performs mostly routine chores.
There enters a young white billionaire searching legal representation in response to a charge that he has sexually attacked an African-American woman.
There's mushrooming nastiness on racial matters involving all parties including the attractive office assistant.
Mamet's play demonstrates that, as Americans, we've become extremely adept at camouflaging our prejudices. And while there may be some elements a bit heavyhanded in "Race," the play is well assembled and impressively performed by the Philadelphia Theatre Company at the Suzanne Roberts Theatre, Broad and Lombard Streets, through February 13th.
Reviewed by Bob Nelson, KYW Newsradio 1060.