Losers Take the Stage

AMERICAN BUFFALO
By David Mamet
Chyro Arts Venue
Scottsdale
Directed by Michael Peck
January 28 – February 13
480-258-2329

     In another review posted on this site, I mentioned that Donald Margulies is one of my favorite playwrights.; now I must confess to you that David Mamet is not. I have seldom if ever enjoyed a Mamet play during the past 15 years that I have been reviewing, but I am happy to say that after viewing AMERICAN BUFFALO at Chyro Arts Venue this past weekend, that is no longer true. The reason is simple… if a Mamet play is not well done it can be a disaster (and unfortunately I seem to have always seen productions that were less than palatable). But no more! This version of AMERICAN BUFFALO currently showing is not only well directed by Michael Peck who is a sterling performer and director but it also stars three very capable actors who have taken Mamet and made him their own.

          AMERICAN BUFFALO is the story of three petty thieves whose lack of conventional morality in no way affects their sense of trust and personal rectitude. Thievery is a business just like any other, whether it be Don’s Resale Shop or the restaurant across the street. And there are certain standards to be upheld in that business. When Don (well played by Trevor Clevenger) finds that he has been hustled out of an authentic Buffalo nickel by a less than upright coin collector, he vows to get revenge. So he plots with Bobby (brilliantly played as a slightly retarded young man by Travis Russell, one of the area’s finest new actors) to rip off the coin collector and then resell the coins to another patsy.  But Teach (nicely brought to life by experienced actor Walt Pedano) has other ideas and insinuates himself in the plans, inferring that Bobby is too wet behind the ears to handle such a difficult job. We watch as both Teach and Bobby reveal their deep felt inadequacies and their need to gain Don’s approval. Bobby uses his last cash to buy Don a new buffalo nickel so he will not be so hurt and Teach hocks his watch and goes without sleep becoming more and more quixotic and out of control as the play progresses. The final scenes where Teach beats up Bobby and then wrecks the shop bring us to the utter futility of these three men. They are trying to get ahead but losers they are, and losers they will remain. Yet at the same time, they are winners because they have the trust and compassion of each other, even if they do not realize it.

          This is a play about futility which could easily have drowned in that black emotion but the pace of the show and the exquisite use of a very small stage combine to make it riveting instead. I have seldom seen two acts go by so quickly. Peck did a masterful job of  pushing his actors ever onward with very difficult dialogue. never missing a beat and keeping the audience on the edge of its seat.  If you want something to think about, if you want to be stimulated by superb acting (especially by Russell whose use of small physical quirks was amazing), if you want to be blown away by a major show housed in a tiny but functional venue, try CHYRO ARTS. You won’t be sorry. This is a Mamet I can highly recommend for the first time in my reviewing career.