The Minutes, Hangmen or American Buffalo?

[stlrod]

Posted: 2/15/22 at 9:44pm

Looking at these three for an April slot.  Any recommendations as to which to see (or avoid)?  Thanks.

[ElephantLoveMedley]

Posted: 2/15/22 at 9:46pm

Haven't seen American Buffalo yet (obviously), but I caught both Hangmen and The Minutes in March 2020 and between the two, I would easily choose Hangmen.

[JBroadway]

Posted: 2/15/22 at 10:50pm

Hmm, tough call. 

I’m not a big Mamet fan, so American Buffalo is probably my least favorite PLAY of the 3. But ironically, I’m still inclined to suggest American Buffalo because the cast is insane. To me, it’s an unmissable combination of stars. But it also hasn’t started performances yet, so maybe it won’t be as good as we hoped. 

The other 2 plays are both really strong (with The Minutes being slightly stronger IMO, but many would disagree) - but I think the productions aren’t necessarily what makes them special. So you might see regional productions that represent the play well - especially with The Minutes. 

Although, it’s worth noting those productions aren’t without their stars - both have really strong casts (or so I hear - I saw a different cast of Hangmen). 

But if you don’t care about the cast, or the shows’ regional prospects, my advice would just be to follow the playwrights: are you familiar with these playwrights’ work? If so, which most aligns with your taste? If not, might be worth reading up on their past work, or the plays themselves. 

Updated On: 2/16/22 at 10:50 PM

[uncageg]

Posted: 2/15/22 at 11:52pm

I hope to see all three but "The Minutes" is at the top of my list. I posted in the thread about the play that when I went to buy a ticket today in the rear Mezzanine that I had looked at a few days ago, it appears they have taken the rear Mezz. off sale. I got a mailer today for it with a discount.

[bwayphreak234]

Posted: 2/16/22 at 5:41am

I have only seen The Minutes out of those three, but I can't recommend it highly enough.

[stlrod]

Posted: 2/16/22 at 6:11pm

Thanks all.  Chose Hangmen and nixed AB..  Last slot will be filled by with either The Minutes or A Strange Loop.  

[Damiensta]

Posted: 2/16/22 at 6:16pm

I saw The Minutes and Hangman back in feb/March 2020. I would choose Hangman.

[SouthernCakes]

Posted: 2/17/22 at 2:16am

Hangmen is a gorgeous production and great show. Haven’t seen the others, but agree, not a Mamet fan. But I do love seeing what they do with the Circle space. 

[BIG BALONEY]

Posted: 2/17/22 at 10:41am

Saw Hangman in London and once again at Atlantic Stages here. Both times I got into this fine well acted play. Will always remember the opening ten minutes. American Buffalo is not a favorite of mine but the cast is the draw.

[Wallman2]

Posted: 2/17/22 at 5:00pm

"Buffalo" has been a thrilling evening of theatre for me and I think this cast is a knockout.  Rockwell, Fishburne, Criss.  I'm excited.  It's at the top of my list...Mamet's dialogue is sharp and it's one of his best.  Just my two cents.  I've always been a fan of Tracy Letts' plays and I can't wait to see Noah Reid on stage.  He was pretty wonderful in "Schitt's Creek".   And I hear the play is very, very good (funny and powerful) from friends who saw it when it was in previews during the pandemic.   And timely.  Re "Hangmen"-- I do like Martin McDonagh's work, though I'm not really familiar with the cast.  Also have heard good things about it.  But Buffalo and The Minutes have such stellar casts, so I'd go for those two first.  Tracy Letts is also a great actor ("Virginia Woolf" and it's always fun to see Blair Brown and Austin Pendleton.

[SisterGeorge]

Posted: 2/18/22 at 2:22pm

stlrod said: "Thanks all. Chose Hangmen and nixed AB.. Last slot will be filled by with either The Minutes or A Strange Loop."

"A Strange Loop"!! I caught it in DC a couple of months ago (same cast and creatives as the upcoming Broadway production) and it's the strongest, most innovative and moving new musical I've seen in ages.

[The Other One]

Posted: 2/18/22 at 7:24pm

"Tracy Letts is also a great actor ("Virginia Woolf"and it's always fun to see Blair Brown and Austin Pendleton."

A superb actor.  I am probably in the minority, but I vastly prefer his performances to most of his plays 

[JaredBway]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 1:05am

Can anyone help me as well?  I'm seeing 5 shows in April: A Strange Loop, Beetlejuice, Company, Funny Girl, and I have one more slot to fill.  I'm considering MJ, The Minutes, or Paradise Square.  Any advice?  I'd greatly appreciate it. 

[Dollypop]

Posted: 2/19/22 at 11:43pm

Mamet can be difficult to sit through. I'm still recovering from THE ANARCHIST.

[JasonC3]

Posted: 2/20/22 at 8:05am

JaredBway said: "Can anyone help me as well? I'm seeing 5 shows in April: A Strange Loop, Beetlejuice, Company, Funny Girl, and I have one more slot to fill. I'm considering MJ, The Minutes, or Paradise Square. Any advice? I'd greatly appreciate it."

I would pick The Minutes just to mix in a quality play, but if you really want another musical, you'll find lots of opinions in the threads here for both of your other options.