Oleanna's Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman Confront Broadway Video

By Christopher Moore, Broadway Magazine

With two productions on Broadway this season, David Mamet's work is again a fixture of the current Broadway season. While Mamet will direct his new play race, also on Broadway is a Mamet confrontational classic - Oleanna. The Broadway production stars Julia Stiles and Bill Pullman in a heated story set in the world of academia. Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine spent some time with the director and stars of the production to find out more about the production of Oleanna.

Broadway Show: Oleanna

"Oleanna is a play written by David Mamet in 1992, which is about an encounter between a rising academic star, a professor named John, and one of his students" offers award winning director Doug Hughes, setting the scene for one of David Mamet's most provocative and incendiary plays. From that simple premise comes a play that challenges audiences in many ways.

"I respect both this play and 'Doubt' so deeply because they are plays about impossible situations . Usually the best dramas are," adds director Doug Hughes, a Broadway master of staging a story layered with uncertainty and ambiguity.

Though this production marks the Broadway debut for Julia Stiles, she is not a stage novice. In fact, the Broadway run will mark the third time in 5 years that she has starred in a run of Oleanna, including a well-received turn in London.

"The production in London was totally different. It was five years ago, it was with a totally different actor, different director, so this feels entirely different to me, but I do really love the play 'Oleanna' and so I'm thrilled. I couldn't think of a better one to be doing for my Broadway debut" says Julia Stiles to Broadway.tv and Broadway Magazine.

"It's a childhood dream of mine, really. It's a huge deal for me. I just feel so fortunate. I can't wait," smiles Julia Stiles spontaneously, as she contemplates making her Broadway debut.

"It's almost like a sporting event. I feel like when Bill and I come off-stage we are so full of adrenaline. It's really fun," Ms. Stiles says of the production.

"It's like watching combat," agrees Doug Hughes, considering the confrontational nature of the play.

Star Bill Pullman is no stranger to Broadway. With a host of interesting Hollywood films and blockbusters under his belt, Bill Pullman continuously returns to the Broadway stage.

"This is the place where actors come to see if they can really do it," reflects Bill Pullman, on why he returns to Broadway so often. Clearly, the play itself has captured Bill Pullman's imagination as well.

'I would suggest that it's not easy on audiences all the time. If you have a certain inclination to being political... it can push some buttons," cautions Bill Pullman on Oleanna, adding "The fact that you stretch as an audience member gives you a bigger thing at the end of it... something more profound."

Watch the entire video with the stars of Oleanna, right here on www.Broadway.tv.