Emily Mann on American Buffalo
Dear Patrons,
You are in for a rare treat.
When I first heard that Steppenwolf Theatre would be producing David Mamet’s American Buffalo, I knew that we had to bring it to McCarter. I’ve known Mamet since we were in our early 20’s—he’s a fellow Chicagoan, and American Buffalo is the play that put him on the map. It’s a hilarious, wry look at manhood, set in a gritty and very real Chicago. When David began writing, he wrote in a language which audiences had never before heard on the stage. His heightened and ever-crackling language shocked audiences in the 1970's. But times change. Now the play contains electrifying language, but the language is no longer shocking. It is simply accurate, and it's gold for actors to mine.
Who better to bring Mamet’s particular and singular voice to life on our stage than Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre? One of the great theater ensembles in this country, they are finally being recognized for the work they’ve been doing for decades. In Chicago, they’ve become known for their wild, emotional, physical acting style, which is perfectly suited to Mamet’s savage world. Amy Morton, the director, has found the audacious rhythm at the heart of all of Mamet’s work, as well as the incredible passions under the seemingly mundane details of the play. She and her extraordinary company truly understand this play. As the recent Wall Street Journal review of the Steppenwolf production puts it: “Mr. Mamet is one of the great theatrical originals, and anyone who wants to know how his plays should be done can scarcely do better than going to see this exemplary production.”
What makes this production of American Buffalo so rare is how incredibly authentic it is. It is revelatory to finally see Chicagoans realize this great Chicago play. Don't miss it. This production is the real thing.
Enjoy!
Emily Mann
A McCarter Theatre production