ON THE MARQUEE: Another one of the many new shows that are scheduled to return to Broadway next year is the highly anticipated revival of David Mamet's acclaimed play American Buffalo. One of our friends was able to share a photo with us of the play's home at Broadway's Circle in the Square Theatre.

The production originally was scheduled to begin Broadway previews on March 24th, 2020 and open on April 14th, 2020 for a strictly limited engagement. However, while in the midst of rehearsals, the full production as abruptly shutdown to the COVID-19 pandemic. The initial new start date was set for March 22nd, 2021 and officially open on April 14th, 2021.

With the recent news of Broadway extending its shutdown till June 2021, no official word has been said for the play's official new launch day. Stay tuned.

The show's all-star cast is expecting to be the same consisting of….

Tony & Emmy winner Laurence Fishburne as "Donny",
Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell as "Teach",
and Emmy Award winning Glee favorite Darren Criss as "Bobby".

For a little fresh recap, AMERICAN BUFFALO tells the story of a pair of ne'er-do-wells and a young intern plotting the robbery of a coin in a seedy second-hand junkshop…. the coin is a valuable Buffalo nickel.

The play originally premiered in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre in 1975. Under the direction of Gregory Mosher, that world premiere cast was led by…
J.J. Johnston as "Donny",
Bernard Erhard as "Teach",
and William H.Macy as "Bobby".

A year later, the show moved Off Broadway playing the Theatre at St. Clements Church in 1976. Also directed by Gregory Mosher, this cast was led by….

Michael Egan as "Donny",
Mike Kellin as "Teach",
and J.T. Walsh as "Bobby".

The production took home the Obie Award for Best New Play.
Another year later, AMERICAN BUFFALO made its ON Broadway debut at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre where it played only 122 performances. With direction this time by Ulu Grosbard, the Broadway premiere cast was led by….

Kenneth McMillian as "Donny",
Robert Duvall as "Teach",
and John Savage as "Bobby".

It was nominated for 2 Tony Awards that year for Best Direction of a Play and Best Scenic Design. However it lost the categories. However it won the Drama Critics Circle Award for Best American Play.

The show would later be revived various times on the New York stage. The first revival started out Off Broadway and the Downtown Circle in the Square Theatre in 1981. Under the direction of Arvin Brown, it was led by….

Clifton James as "Donny",
Al Pacino as "Teach",
and Thomas Waltes as "Bobby".

2 years later, the production transferred to Broadway playing the Booth Theatre for only 100 performances. With Arvin Brown's direction, the cast starred….

J.J. Johnston reprising his World Premiere performance as "Donny",
Al Pacino reprising the role of "Teach",
and James Hayden as "Bobby".

It was nominated for a 1984 Tony Award for Best Revival but lost the category.

FUN FACT: James Hayden passed away 6 hours following a performance back in November 1983. He died from a heroin overdose while on the phone with his estranged wife in his upper westside apartment. Understudy John Shepard took on the role of "Bobby" fulltime for the remainder of the run.

In 2000 following a triumphant production in London, AMERICAN BUFFALO was revived again Off Broadway at the Atlantic Theater Company. Under the direction of Neil Pepe (who is coincidentally directing the upcoming 2021 revival), this cast was led by….

Phillip Baker Hall as "Donny",
William H. Macy as "Teach",
and Mark Webber as "Bobby".

The most recent Broadway revival happened in 2008 playing the Belasco Theatre which was a huge flop in critics and disappointing ticket sales. It only played 28 performances total. Under the direction of Robert Falls, this cast was led by….

Cedric The Entertainer as "Donny",
John Leguizamo as "Teach",
and Haley Joel Osment as "Bobby".

Today the show is a popular performed in schools, community, and regional theaters everywhere.

Along with its life on stage, AMERICAN BUFFALO was also an acclaimed film from The Samuel Goldwyn Company. It was released in 1993. Under the direction of the play's world premiere direction Gregory Mosher, the film starred…

Dennis Franz as "Donny,,
Dustin Hoffman as "Treat",
and Sean Nelson as "Bobby".

We are so excited for the newly start date of this acclaimed dark drama back on the Great Bright Way.

Who is excited?!!!!



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Author: NYBroadwayTours