AMERICAN BUFFALO Reviews

[jacobsnchz14]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 9:39am

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

[EthelMae]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 9:53am

Regardless of reviews, this one is going to be a tough sell after Mr. Mamet’s remarks on FOX. Close it. His mouth, I mean.

[Jeffrey Karasarides]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:08am

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.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:32am

EthelMae said: "Regardless of reviews, this one is going to be a tough sell after Mr. Mamet’s remarks on FOX. Close it. His mouth, I mean."

Time will tell. Stranger things have (not) happened.

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 10:44am

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."

[Sutton Ross]

Posted: 4/13/22 at 1:17pm

EthelMae said: "Regardless of reviews, this one is going to be a tough sell after Mr. Mamet’s remarks on FOX. Close it. His mouth, I mean."

Maybe but I'm confident in saying many people are going to this show for the brilliant cast involved. 

[EDSOSLO858]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 6:42pm

Bumping this thread before the review embargo lifts later tonight. 

[ErmengardeStopSniveling]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 6:48pm

Think any reporters will get kicked off the red carpet tonight for asking people involved (or attendees) about Mr. Playwright's recent statements?

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 7:08pm

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

[tomwsjr]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 7:08pm

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

[austinyourface]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 8:39pm

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

[Wayman_Wong]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 8:47pm

On a happy note, Darren Criss announced that he and his wife, Mia Swier, welcomed the birth of their first child. Their daughter, Bluesy Belle Criss, arrived April 11, 2022. (So did Criss' understudy, Sean Carvajal, go on for him recently?) 

Updated On: 4/14/22 at 08:47 PM

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:05pm

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

[Alex Kulak2]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:07pm

If you want to see the most cursed piece of corporate synergy in the history of Broadway social media:

https://twitter.com/DearEvanHansen/status/1514756525797126146

[willep]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:34pm

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.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:38pm

Four stars from TimeOut:

"Although not much happens in the play, which is less a thriller than a loiterer, it somehow seems fast-paced, thanks in large part to the three crack performers who bring it to life. They stride the stage with the game confidence of actors who know exactly how to make Mamet’s monte look full."

https://www.timeout.com/newyork/theater/american-buffalo-broadway-review-david-mamet-sam-rockwell-revival

[Matt Rogers]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 9:54pm

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.

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:01pm

Variety is negative:

‘American Buffalo’ Review: Starry but Flat Broadway Revival Doesn’t Make the Case for David Mamet

https://variety.com/2022/legit/reviews/american-buffalo-review-broadway-david-mametsam-rockwell-laurence-fishburne-1235232931/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:03pm

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/

[songanddanceman2]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:03pm

Guardian - 2 Stars.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/amp.theguardian.com/stage/2022/apr/14/american-buffalo-review-david-mamet-broadway

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:04pm

NYT Critic's Pick from Jesse Green:

Review: In ‘American Buffalo,’ Grift Is the Coin of the Realm

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

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:07pm

NY Daily News:

Broadway Review: ‘American Buffalo’ revival is highly entertaining, but does not travel into David Mamet’s emotional core

https://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/broadway/ny-broadway-review-american-buffalo-20220415-zq2jqxnycvcuhlduuqj4bbiapy-story.html

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:08pm

Entertainment Weekly gives it a B:

American Buffalo review: Sam Rockwell and Laurence Fishburne shine in David Mamet's classic

The play's iconically profane dialogue feels a little less unique these days, so star power comes in handy.

 

https://ew.com/theater/theater-reviews/american-buffalo-review-sam-rockwell-laurence-fishburne-david-mamet/

[MemorableUserName]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:09pm

3 1/2 stars from NY Post:

https://nypost.com/2022/04/14/american-buffalo-review-rockwell-and-fishburne-battle-on-broadway/

[willep]

Posted: 4/14/22 at 10:10pm

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).