OFFICE HOUR by Julia Cho at the Public - Troubled Student Connects with Societal Disconnect

The Public Theater's staging of Julia Cho's (b Amer 1975) play OFFICE HOUR attacks the prevalent problem of social alienation combined with constant "Colombine" scenarios.  By constant, I refer to the ubiquitous, common place shootings on school campuses, concerts and workplaces.  Cho an awarded playwright & TV writer, does an admirable job addressing the mass shootings in our nation by breaking it down to an intimate conversation/confrontation between a college English Prof. and her male student whose extremely graphic & violent writings and misanthropic behaviors discharge  alarm bells to his classmates & teachers.  A conference is held with 3 English professors, two of which have had Dennis (Ki Hong Lee) a very disturbed & disconcerting student in their class.  David & Genevieve share the unnerving writings & alarming behaviors they've encountered from Dennis.  Dennis will not communicate orally with either teacher or classmates.  His graphic creative writings are read aloud in class.  The contents are so ghastly students have dropped the class and voiced their fears.  Dennis is a new student to Gina (an excellent Sue Jean Kim).  The other teachers are convinced Dennis fits the profile for someone likely to go on a shooting rampage.  He's a loner and obsessed with violence.  David & Genevieve spoke with the Dean & health services but were informed Dennis does not officially warrant restraint.  They're alerting Gina & appealing to her to try  somehow to get through to him or garner helpful information.  The majority of the play is set in Gina's office which coincides in actual time & corresponding sunlight.  She manages, with great patience, candor & empathy to break through Dennis' blockade.  He is laden with pain & alienation.  But, then who isn't?  And, who doesn't carry (with or without permits) loaded guns.  There are varying bloody crescendos portrayed.   All are shockingly credible.   The extent to which Gina reaches out to Dennis bearing her soul permits his carapace crack.  This is a tour de force performance.  Does this make the subject matter more palatable? No, but it does continue the discussion.  Cho's sharp writing and fine acting by its cast underline how frequently these tragedies occur.   Dennis evokes our sympathy.   But this only stresses our social disconnect,  addiction to compiling arsenals and how irascible & trigger ready many have become.