Info, tickets, merch, rights, and more. Your home for all things Broadway.

American Buffalo

American Buffalo

by David Mamet

Drama
Small Cast (1-8)

Now Playing at a Theatre Near You

Buy Tickets

American Buffalo

About the Play

American Buffalo





David Mamet's play about three small-time crooks.


Story:

In a Chicago junk shop, three men plot to rob a man of his coin collection, the showpiece of which is a valuable “Buffalo nickel.” These high-minded grifters fancy themselves businessmen pursuing legitimate free enterprise. But the reality of the three – Donny, the oafish junk shop owner; Bobby, a young junkie Donny has taken under his wing; and “Teach,” a violently paranoid braggart – is that they are merely pawns caught up in their own game of last-chance, dead-end, empty pipe dreams.

Recommended for ages 14 and up.


Get Tickets for American Buffalo The Latest News About the Show Reviews for the Most Recent Broadway Run Visit the Official Website Apply for Production Rights

Cast and Creative Team

Playwright

Playwright
David Mamet



Broadway Premiere

Theatre
Ethel Barrymore Theatre, Belasco Theatre
Opening Night
Feb 16, 1977
Total Performances
122
Original Cast
Robert Duvall, Kenneth McMillan, John Savage
Director
Ulu Grosbard
Producer
Edgar Lansbury and Joseph Beruh
Scenic Design
Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design
Jules Fisher

1983 Broadway Revival

Theatre
Booth Theatre
Opening Night
Oct 27, 1983
Total Performances
93
Original Cast
Al Pacino, James Hayden, J. J. Johnston
Director
Arvin Brown
Producer
Elliot Martin and Arnold Bernhard
Scenic Design
Marjorie Bradley Kellogg
Costume Design
Bill Walker
Lighting Design
Ronald Wallace

2008 Broadway Revival

Theatre
Belasco Theatre
Opening Night
Nov 17, 2008
Total Performances
8
Original Cast
Cedric the Entertainer, John Leguizamo, Haley Joel Osment
Director
Robert Falls
Producer
Elliot Martin, Ben Sprecher, Louise Forlenza, Bryan Bantry, Michael S. Rosenberg, Nica Burns, Max Weitzenhoffer, Wendy Federman, Bozeman Group LLC, Stewart F. Lane, Bonnie Comley, Karl Sydow, Jay H. Harris, William Franzblau, Oscar Joyner, Ken Wydro, Vy Higginsen, Ray Larsen and Nelle Nugent
Scenic Design
Santo Loquasto
Costume Design
Santo Loquasto
Lighting Design
Brian MacDevitt

2020 Broadway Revival

Theatre
Circle In the Square
Opening Night
Apr 14, 2022
Total Performances
93
Original Cast
Darren Criss, Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell
Director
Neil Pepe
Producer
Jeffrey Richards, Steve Traxler, Stephanie P. McClelland, GFour Productions, Spencer Ross
Scenic Design
Scott Pask
Costume Design
Dede Ayite
Lighting Design
Tyler Micoleau
Fight Direction
J. David Brimmer

1996 Film Version

Movie Name
American Buffalo
Type
Hollywood Feature Film
Director
Michael Corrente
Screenplay
David Mamet
Starring
Dustin Hoffman, Dennis Franz, Sean Nelson

Scripts, Videos, Merchandise and More





Books

Script
Play Script

Videos

DVD
Original Hollywood Version DVD
Blu-Ray
Original Hollywood Version Blu-Ray

Merchandise

Merchandise




Awards and Reviews

2022 Tony Award Nominations

Best Revival of a Play
Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role in a Play - Sam Rockwell
Best Direction of a Play
Best Scenic Design of a Play

2022 Drama League Award Nominations

Outstanding Revival of a Play

2022 Outer Critics Circle Award Nominations

Outstanding Actor in a Play (Broadway or Off-Broadway) - Sam Rockwell
Outstanding Scenic Design

1984 Tony Award Nominations

Best Reproduction

1984 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Actor In A Play - Al Pacino

1984 Theatre World Award Nominations

J. J. Johnston

1977 Tony Award Nominations

Best Scenic Design
Best Direction Of A Play

1977 Drama Desk Award Nominations

Outstanding Set Design
Outstanding Actor In A Play - Robert Duvall
Outstanding Director Of A Play
Outstanding New Play (American)

Your Reviews: Do You Love It or Loathe It?

If You Like American Buffalo, You Might Also Like...

Broadway Play
Broadway Play
Broadway Play
Broadway Play
Broadway Play
Broadway Play

From Shakespeare to Durang, award-winners to flops, big blockbusters to Fringe transfers, tried and true classics to avant-garde new works, Broadway Play Home is your home for Broadway tickets, merchandise, videos, and all the news, reviews, and information you want about Broadway plays, people, theatres, awards, production rights and more.

Your home for all things Broadway.

Become a Broadway Insider

Be the first to learn about Broadway news and announcements, read opening night reviews, and hear gossip and buzz! Subscribe, follow and join the conversation with other lovers of the Great White Way.

Blog Twitter Facebook Instagram Newsletter

Access even more Broadway!

Check out our sister site, Broadway Musical Home, for musical theatre!

More