David Mamet's "Oleanna" may have closed this weekend, but his latest work "Race" is just getting started. NY1's Roma Torre filed the following review.

For all you Mamet fans lamenting the closings of "Oleanna" and "Speed The Plow," the playwright's latest, "Race" is every bit as provocative, profane and ultimately confounding. And depending how far you’re willing to delve into these works, the experience is much the same in each of them. On the surface they’re fascinating but dig deep enough and you’ll find they’re full of holes.

Everyone in "Race" breathes the same polluted morality that surround just about every other Mamet character. Jack Lawson and his partner Henry Brown are successful defense lawyers. And true to the stereotype they are as cynical and calculating as they come. So cynical in fact, these guys are beyond racism. They're prejudiced against everyone, or so it seems.

They're trying to determine whether to take the case of a wealthy white man accused of raping a young black woman. Their newly hired associate also happens to be a young black woman which should be a tip off to anyone familiar with Mamet's writing. The play is as much about sexism as racism. In fact, despite the title, Mamet seems far more eager to steer this play into the murky waters of misogyny. As badly behaved as the men can be, beware the Mamet women.

In this case, the character Susan doesn't even get a last name. We know very little about her or her motivations while Mamet reveals far more about the men. All the action in this play seems contrived to justify a convoluted premise. And while I can't give examples without spoiling the plot, I can tell you everyone says and does things that, from both legal and dramatic perspectives, don't make much sense.

The good news is that it's very well acted. James Spader, fresh from "Boston Legal" is terrific, deadpanning through Mamet's signature rapid fire dialogue with consummate skill.

David Alan Grier is also first rate and Richard Thomas in a smaller role doesn't really have much to do.

Kerry Washington seems somewhat outclassed by her co-stars but once again she's undermined by inadequate writing.

There's no denying the production under Mamet's direction is plenty entertaining and thought provoking. It's just that when you do think about it you realize, despite all the incendiary talk, they're not saying all that much.