C u l t u r e Glengarry Glen Ross Directors Journal Steppenwolf Theatre’s Glengarry Glen Ross was one of 2001’s most acclaimed Chicago productions. Amy Morton’s terse direction was key to its success. Now we can peek inside her creative process, as Ms. Morton has graciously given us permission to publish her "Director’s Journal." Matt DeCaro listens intently to direction during a rehearsal for Glengarry Glen Ross at the Steppenwolf Theater. 8/31 Met today with [Artistic Director] Martha Lavey over coffee. She asked me if I’d be interested in directing Glengarry Glen Ross for the mainstage. I told her, "I’d love to, but I’d want to cast it -" "- entirely with children!" she said, completing my thought exactly. Stunned silence. We were on the same wavelength. I left the meeting with a rare sense of optimism. 9/16 Things are coming together re: Glengarry. Martha has an adorable 7-year-old nephew named Alan. She brought him round the theatre this afternoon. "Alan! Coffee!" I barked at him. He flinched, then responded, "Where do I get –" "Now!" He looked at his feet, then shuffled toward the door. I winked at Martha, who was smiling broadly at me; she knows my methods. "Hold on Alan," I called. "Congratulations. You’re our Aaronow." 9/22 First night of auditions. Martha on my left, shrewdly taking notes. Her nephew Alan on my right, staring at his fingers and swinging his feet. The three of us ready to assemble a dream cast. Early on, a 1st grader named David Pasquesi burst in. He has an easy manner, a "screw you" attitude – I almost felt like I was auditioning for him! He did a Roy Cohn monologue from Angels in America, and we were hooked. The kid’s a pro, at ease with theatrical language. It will take quite a lot to steal the part of Roma from him. Little Mikey Nussbaum is heaven-sent! The kid is five, and I was all set to write him off. But he had some Mamet experience on his résumé (John in Oleanna) so I gave him a "courtesy read." Wow. Those big, long-lashed eyes became withered windows into a hollowed-out soul, and my heart stopped. The despair of Shelly Levene was all the deeper emanating from such a little cherub. Tiny snag – colleagues have been warning me about working with children. "Beware of stage mothers," they tell me. Well, I’ve met one. Matt DeCaro is a perfect Moss – a seething, angry little 3rd grader – but his mom! Immediately: "I don’t want my little Matty using so many swearwords!" "I’m not sure I approve of my son participating in a searing indictment of capitalism!" I assured her that the script would be toned down – bullshit, of course (this is the Steppenwolf!), but we’ll deal with it later. The kid’s going to be great, I can tell – but his mom’s going to hover. 10/13 The cast is complete – an average age of 7. We had our first read-through this afternoon. Parents were banned from the room; the last thing I needed was Mrs. DeCaro grimacing at every F-word. The boys have done their homework. Lots of questions – Does Williamson relish his position as an outsider? Could Roma sell real estate to Charmander? – which I answered very broadly (I want these tykes to discover as we go!). 10/19 Keith Johnstone wrote of our tendency to see children as miniature adults, while in actuality adults are big children who’ve become boring. I’m paraphrasing, but the point is, we grownups think we know the world in all its hardships & practicalities. However, the dehumanization of being eaten alive takes on a whole new dimension seen through the eyes of a child. When Mikey (as Levene) is reduced to groveling – stripped of all dignity – "And now I’m back, and I got my balls back" – I just want to pick him up and put him in my pocket! (later) Just got off the phone with Mrs. DeCaro. Apparently "Matty-lamb" has been asking her what "Polacks" are. She’s threatening to pull him from the play. 10/23 Martha Lavey wants to add a dance number. You heard right. She brought in some cute little choreographer named Marci from the Drury Fricking Lane. I said Martha, this is going to make my play look like some cutesy piece of camcorder-bait! But maybe it’ll get Mrs. DeCaro off my back. With her precious little offspring front and center, grinning in a sequined top hat, maybe she’ll shut up about my "corrupting influence." It’s times like this I think casting adults might have made more sense. Maybe Mamet is too misanthropic for kids. BUT – during these trouble periods in the rehearsal process it’s good to step back, relax, focus on the original artistic vision. Which is hard when they’re adding a FUCKING DANCE NUMBER. 10/30 I hate actors. I hate theatre. I hate children. And their vile odious MOTHERS. Hate hate hate I’m NEVER doing this again!!! HATE HATE HATE 11/2 Things are better. Today the cast took to giggling at Roma’s line about taking a "dump" that makes you feel you’ve slept 12 hours. At first I was livid, but gradually I started laughing too, and soon tears were streaming down my face. The whole cast surrounded me in a group hug. The 8 of us bonding in an empty theatre, not saying a word. It was a moment of salvation. We’re back. 11/23 Opening night. I can hardly think straight I’m so nervous. But optimistic. Even the dance number has grown on me. And Mrs. DeCaro sent me an envelope bursting with Starbucks gift certificates – her peace offering. I think she finally realizes what the cast and I are doing. (later) Went great!! Writing this at the cast party at Chuck E. Cheese – must be brief – Peter Burns is challenging me to a game of Whack-a-Mole. Handful of flubbed lines, but response overall good. [Sun Times critic Hedy] Weiss fainted from pleasure three times! A record. Expect good reviews. Tonight – gorge self with pizza. Tomorrow – who knows! Ready for more!