AMERICAN BUFFALO Reviews

Three small-time hustlers want a bigger cut of the American dream. David Mamet’s classic about loyalty and greed is directed by Neil Pepe (Tony-winning Artistic Director of Atlantic Theater Company). American Buffalo returns to Broadway more explosive and pointed than ever, exposing a timely American truth: crime and business are two sides of the same coin.

Tony winner Laurence Fishburne, Oscar winner Sam Rockwell, and Darren Criss star in a new Broadway revival of David Mamet’s play American Buffalo. The playwright will once again work with director Neil Pepe, having previously collaborated on Speed-the-Plow and A Life in the Theatre.

Performances began March 2022, with an official opening set for April 14.

Fishburne (Thurgood, The Lion in Winter) returns to Broadway after an 11-year absence to play Donny. In 1992, he won a Tony Award for his performance as in August Wilson’s Two Trains Running.

Updated On: 4/13/22 at 09:39 AM

jacobsnchz14 said: "Performances began March 2020, with an official opening set for April 14."

Actually, performances began in March of 2022. It was originally supposed to be March of 2020, but was obviously postponed because of COVID-19.

Haven't seen this, but by all accounts it's universally well-acted. I have no idea what critics will say. This could be a real separate-art-from-the-artist situation. Or they could say "eh, the play doesn't feel relevant anymore."

Bumping this thread before the review embargo lifts later tonight.

Will Mamet ban teachers from attending matinees? Many school groups attend matinee performances.

Well, champion of free speech Mamet already banned talkbacks after any production of his plays, so who knows.

WSJ - https://www.google.com/amp/s/www.wsj.com/amp/articles/american-buffalo-david-mamet-circle-in-the-square-sam-rockwell-lawrence-fishburne-darren-criss-glengarry-glen-ross-11649974686

I’d wager there are a lot of people, myself included, who have no idea what you are talking about re Mamet’s recent remarks.

willep said: "I’d wager there are a lot of people, myself included, who have no idea what you are talking about re Mamet’s recent remarks."

If you truly have no idea, all it takes is a very quick Google search. Dozens of stories will come flying up.

Deadline is positive:

"Offstage, and sometimes on, David Mamet can be infuriating and exasperating, as anyone who has witnessed his recent nonsensical, offensive media blitz can attest, and then along comes something like American Buffalo – possibly his greatest work, all due apologies to Glengarry Glen Ross – with a cast so in sync with the playwright’s “profane poetry” that for a couple hours it’s not impossible to put aside whatever it is Mamet thinks needs saying on Fox News these days"

https://deadline.com/2022/04/american-buffalo-cyrano-broadway-review-darren-criss-james-mcavoy-1235002080/

NYT Critic's Pick from Jesse Green:

Sam Rockwell, Laurence Fishburne and Darren Criss star in an electric revival of the David Mamet play about capitalism in a junk shop.

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/04/14/theater/american-buffalo-review.html

Entertainment Weekly gives it a B:

Matt Rogers said: "willep said: "I’d wager there are a lot of people, myself included, who have no idea what you are talking about re Mamet’s recent remarks."

If you truly have no idea, all it takes is a very quick Google search. Dozens of stories will come flying up."

Yes, I’m aware of how Google works. But my point still stands that there are probably plenty of people out there that have no idea what Mamet is up to (and aren’t on these boards to have people to tell them to Google him).