Interludes

THE HANGOVER REPORT – The starry Broadway revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO is a deliberately calibrated study of American capitalism vis-à-vis toxic masculinity

• By drediman
• April 20, 2022
• No Comments

Last week, David Mamet’s classic play American Buffalo returned to the Great White Way in a taut, requisitely starry revival (the play’s third) at Circle in the Square Theatre. In recent days, Mamet (and by extension his seminal 1975 work) has come under closer, harsher scrutiny following unfounded comments he made on a program on Fox News regarding pedophilia in schools. Yet irregardless of the infamy that the playwright has stirred for himself as of late (not completely dissociated with the head-scratching mediocrity of his playwriting over the last decade or so), American Buffalo – which takes place in a scruffy Chicago pawn shop – remains a sensational and astute microcosm of the machinations of capitalism in a male-dominated society.

Directed by Neil Pepe (Atlantic Theater Company’s longtime artistic director who has had a close working relationship with Mamet), this particular revival is deliberately calibrated, offering audiences an especially keen depiction of the foibles and ultimate tragedy resulting from unchecked toxic masculinity (especially as embodied by Academy Award winner Sam Rockwell; more on him later). As such, I don’t think I’ve ever seen the allegory presented by the play’s central “business opportunity” so intrinsically intertwine hyper masculine behavior with capitalism in America (in key ways, the play is a striking companion piece to Stefano Massini’s The Lehman Trilogy, a play that explores the rise and dizzying fall of the financial firm Lehman Brothers). Also contributing to the production’s effectiveness is the venue itself; the intimate, in-the-round Circle in the Square is unique amongst Broadway theaters in that it allows for a voyeuristic “fly-on-the-wall” experience that’s a far cry from viewing the action through a distancing proscenium.

Much of the impact of this tense yet emotionally satisfying production comes by way of its trio of excellent performances courtesy of Laurence Fishbourne, Sam Rockwell, and Darren Criss as the play’s three scrappy hustlers. Each actor understands the muscular musicality and poetry of Mamet’s dialogue – their interplay makes for terribly exciting theater – as well as the desperation that underlies their character. As the pawnshop owner Don, Mr. Fishbourne gives an accomplished performances that wavers between nurturing and menacing with compelling transparency. As his tempestuous poker buddy Teach, Mr. Rockwell – in one of the most volcanic, thrillingly caustic performances of the season – struts and flails around the stage like a stick of dynamite ready to combust at any moment. As the young and impressionable Bob, Mr. Criss is perhaps the least effective (mostly because the role is the least clearly delineated, almost as if a blank slate) but still solid.

RECOMMENDED

AMERICAN BUFFALO
Broadway, Play
Circle in the Square Theatre
1 hour, 40 minutes (including one intermission)
Through July 19