American Buffalo
By: David Mamet
Directed by: T.J. Walsh
Produced by: The Classics Theatre Project
Audience Rating: R/MA
Running Time: One and a half hours with one 15-minute intermission
Accessible Seating: Available
Hearing Devices: Not Available
Sensory Friendly Showing: Not Available
ASL Showing: Not Available
Sound Level: Comfortable
Audio/Visuals To Prepare For: Graphic language, some physical violence
Reviewed by Dan C. Rogers
Prepare for an intimate stage setting and a stampede of Americana dialogue when you witness the David Mamet authored play American Buffalo, produced by The Classics Theatre Project at the Stone Cottage Theatre in Addison. The intense drama runs from May 15 - June 20. Call ahead as seating is very limited. Mamet is famous for plots that often explore the darker side of the American dream, critiquing societal structures through themes of corruption, greed, and conformity. His distinctive style, known as “Mamet speak”, features overlapping, interrupted dialogue that captures the manipulative nature of communication. It is almost musical in the intricate rhythms, beats, and volumes and graphic specificity.
The courageous actors performing in American Buffalo tackle Mamet’s work with due diligence and earnest performances. Shopkeeper Donny, performed steadily by John Daniel Pszyk, is frustrated that he might have sold a valuable buffalo head nickel to a specific customer and he wants to get it back, preferably not legally. All the while trying to indoctrinate Bobby, a naïve and struggling assistant in the form of Noah Riddle, to the ways of doing business and being successful in life. Enter the easily irritated Teach with ominous seething anger and frustration bubbling up from Joey Folsom. This trio thrusts and parries with Mamet’s sharp intense script, moving them artfully across a cluttered junk store on the South Side of Chicago, set designed by Folsom.
T.J. Walsh’s direction moves the characters from confrontation to frustration to indignation with the fluency of the riveting Mamet dialogue. Somewhere out there is the enigmatic Fletcher, with the dependability of Godot, and the tension builds and builds until the crescendo of action culminates in more than verbal violence. Much more. The intimate seating of the audience is placed at a very close fourth wall. The action captivates and rivets the audience with wit, pathos, and shock. The discordantly cluttered shop is very realistic and very typical of a struggling and seedy proprietor. I feel a great deal of empathy for the behind-the-scenes props individuals.
The Stone Cottage Theatre is an Addison landmark housing innovation and creativity. It is refreshing to see the agility and adaptability of the theatrical house for this intense graphic display of Pulitzer Prize winning David Mamet’s work. Tickets can be found at theclassicstheatreproject.com
It is never dull with The Classics Theatre Project, and it is just what the doctor ordered.
DR
Comments
Post a Comment