On Theater: ‘Office Hour’ offers a layered look at campus anxiety

How do you diffuse a ticking time bomb? Playwright Julia Cho offers a unique solution in her new play, “Office Hour,” now receiving an impressive world premiere at South Coast Repertory.

The time bomb in question is a brooding, taciturn college student whose creative writing projects indicate a propensity for violence with unspeakable carnage. Not to mention the fact that he’s packing heat.

Will his anger explode and consume the campus? That’s the question facing a concerned instructor as she endeavors to cut through to the human being behind the hood and sunglasses who considers speaking a form of torture. This confrontation occupies the bulk of Cho’s compelling drama.

Under the intricate direction of Neel Keller, “Office Hour” encompasses its audience with a foreboding bordering on actual fear. As if that weren’t enough, playwright Cho also inserts into the drama four mercifully brief worst-case scenarios — which, ironically, prove more effective than her actual resolution.

Navigating these choppy theatrical waters is the instructor charged with diffusing the situation, superbly played by “Gray’s Anatomy” alum Sandra Oh. Showing saintly patience, Oh chips away layer after layer of hostility and anger from the student by offering understanding and, finally, a glimpse into her own troubles.

As the grim and maddeningly silent student, Raymond Lee speaks volumes without uttering a word for a large chunk of his time on stage. The potential for horrific violence surrounds him even after he finally elects to converse, albeit in a starkly defensive manner.

Completing the cast are two other teachers serving primarily expository purposes. Corey Brill conveys the overly masculine viewpoint, while Sola Bamis delivers a more establishment-oriented position.

The growing threat of gun violence, especially in schools, has become increasingly disturbing, and Cho is to be credited with bringing it to the surface. She does, however, need to create a more powerful concluding scene.

“Office Hour” shows high potential — an hourlong airing on Showtime or HBO would be ideal. As it stands, it’s one of the more impressive world premieres at South Coast Repertory.

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IF YOU GO

What: “Office Hour”

Where: South Coast Repertory’s Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa

When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays until April 30

Cost: $22 to $71

Information: (714) 708-5555