`pulverized Pork' Won't Feed Our Troops 
While Congressman Paul Kanjorski, D-nanticoke, Touts The New ``innovative'' 
Grant Of $1 Million To King's College To Market ``pulverization Technology'' 
(oct. 27), 13,000 Men And Women In The Armed Forces Are Forced To Live On Food 
Stamps Because Of Their Low Pay.

11 Boys Charged In Assault Of 2 Girls 
Youths Admitted Their 
Involvement In Groping 
Of Two Teenage Girls, Said 
Swoyersville Police Chief

By BOB NOCEK; Times Leader Staff Writer
 Friday, November 13, 1998 &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Page: 





SCRANTON- Is there anyone in Hollywood who isn't using everyone else? &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Not from the looks of "Speed-the-Plow," the often-blistering David Mamet
play presented by The Northeastern Theatre Ensemble. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; Friendship is tenuous in Mamet's inside look at the movie industry, where
all that matters is the next big deal. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 The players here are Bobby Gould (Gary Mink) and Charlie Fox (Ken
Glickfeld), longtime colleagues whose relationship is a bit off kilter because
of Gould's promotion to head of production at the studio. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Together, however, they're going to pitch a dream project that will launch
them to the top of Hollywood's power structure and stuff their bank accounts
beyond anything the two had ever imagined. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 In this deal, at least, they are partners. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Then comes a temp secretary named Karen (Valerie Palencar) whose motives
aren't altogether innocent, and she upsets Bobby and Charlie's balance like
Pavarotti on a seesaw. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 David Crommett's first directorial effort since taking over as TNT's
artistic director is a compelling one, particularly in the second act, where
"Speed-the-Plow" turns from intriguing to suspenseful. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If there's a problem here, it's that none of the characters comes across as
particularly likable. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Bobby is the slick power monger who only needs Charlie as long as he can
wring something out of him. Charlie's just along for the ride, and as soon as
Bobby wants to change lanes, Charlie's grabbing for the wheel. And Karen isn't
convincingly committed to any of her many roles. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 But keep in mind that this is Hollywood. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 If the characters are shallow and flawed, then TNT has gotten it right. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 For the Times Leader/CHRIS ABRAHAM &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 Valerie Palencar as temp secretary Karen and Ken Glickfield and Gary Mink
(from left) as Hollywood hopefuls in a scene from `Speed-the-Plow.' &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHAT: "Speed-the-Plow," by David Mamet. &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp; 
 WHERE: Shopl

`speed-the-plow' Mimics Hollywood's Brutal Shallowness