AMERICAN BUFFALO- About the Play

AMERICAN BUFFALO

Theatre On Consignment will conclude its 2005-2006 season with “American Buffalo”, the acclaimed comedy/drama by David Mamet (author of “Glengarry Glen Ross”). The play will run June 1, 2, 3 at 8pm and June 4 at 2pm.

Mamet's play about three losers planning a robbery was his first major hit and established him as a unique voice in American theatre. It was originally performed in 1975 with a cast that included Mamet regulars William H. Macy and J.J. Johnson; later Broadway and off-Broadway productions featured J.T. Walsh, John Savage, Robert Duvall, and Al Pacino. The 1996 film version, directed by Michael Corrente, starred Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, and Sean Nelson.

Don (Mac Welch) is the owner of an "antique store" (read: junk shop) who discovers that the buffalo head nickel he recently sold to a coin collector was a lot more valuable than he imagined. Don hatches a scheme in which he and his employee Bobby (Bryan Welsby) will steal the collector’s coins. Teach (David Bailey), Don's down-on-his-luck buddy, insists on coming in on the job, but Don is not sure he wants Teach's help -- or that the robbery is a good idea at all. Filled to the brim with Mamet’s trademark jazzy dialogue and unforgettable characters, “American Buffalo” is a brilliant (and wryly funny) commentary on the American Dream.

Jason Bailey is director, with lighting design by Ben C. Roose, costume design by Renee Purtee, and prop design by Meridith Jones. Cherice Henderson produces.

Performances are at Twin Lakes Playhouse, located at 2038 N. Amidon. Ticket prices are $10 for general public and $7 for seniors, students, and military. For reservations, call (316) 522-4442. The play contains strong language and is for mature audiences only.