Photo Flash: Steppenwolf Theatre's AMERICAN BUFFALO Now Playing Thru February 14

Steppenwolf Theatre Company presents American Buffalo by David Mamet, directed by ensemble member Amy Morton, playing through February 14, 2010 in Steppenwolf's Downstairs Theatre. 'American Buffalo' features ensemble members Francis Guinan and Tracy Letts with Patrick Andrews.

In a cluttered, run-down Chicago junkshop, three small-time crooks plot to steal a valuable coin collection. As the heist unravels, the men's frustration and paranoia intensify. Ensemble member Amy Morton directs this groundbreaking American play that weaves humor and menace throughout an emotionally charged struggle for identity and dominance.

World-renowned playwright and Chicago-area native David Mamet has a successful writing and directing career in theatre, film and television. Steppenwolf has produced Mamet's productions of The Water Engine and the Pulitzer Prize-winning Glengarry GLen Ross (also directed by ensemble member Amy Morton). Amy Morton received a 2008 Best Actress Tony® nomination for Steppenwolf's August: Osage County on Broadway. Her Steppenwolf directing credits include Dublin Carol, The Weir, The Pillowman, Love-Lies-Bleeding (also Kennedy Center) and Glengarry GLen Ross (also Dublin and Toronto).

The design team for American Buffalo includes: Kevin Depinet (sets), Nan Cibula-Jenkins (costumes), Pat Collins (lights), Rob Milburn and Michael Bodeen (sound), Rick Sordelet (fight choreography) and Cecilie O'Reilly (dialect coach). Malcolm Ewen is the Stage Manager and Christine D. Freeburg is the Assistant Stage Manager.

'American Buffalo' runs until February 14 at Steppenwolf Downstairs Theatre, located at 1650 N. Halsted St.

Curtain Times: Tuesdays through Sundays** at 7:30 p.m.
**Sunday evening performances through January 10 only.
Saturday and Sunday matinees at 3:00 p.m.
Wednesday matinees on January 13, 20 & 27 and February 10 at 2:00 p.m.
Note: there are no 7:30 p.m. performances on Tuesday, December 8, Thursday, December 24 (Christmas Eve), Friday, December 25 (Christmas Day) and Friday, January 1 (New Year's Day).

Ticket prices: Regular Run: $20-$77. Twenty $20 tickets are available at Audience Services beginning at 11:00 a.m. on the day of each performance (1:00 p.m. for Sunday performances). Half-price rush tickets are available one hour before each show. Student discounts available.

Audience Services: 1650 N. Halsted St., 312-335-1650. Online ticketing available at www.steppenwolf.org

The American Buffalo MaTEENée performance for high school students will be held on Saturday, February 6 at 3:00 p.m. Tickets cost $15 and include: a ticket to the performance, lunch and a post-show discussion with actors featured in the production - hosted by Steppenwolf's Young Adults Council. Free post-show discussions are offered after every performance.

Steppenwolf is located near all forms of public transportation and is wheelchair accessible. Street and lot parking are available. Assistive listening devices are available for every performance.

Committed to the principle of ensemble performance through the collaboration of a company of actors, directors and playwrights, Steppenwolf Theatre Company's mission is to advance the vitality and diversity of American theater by nurturing artists, encouraging repeatable creative relationships and contributing new works to the national canon. The company, formed in 1976 by a collective of actors, is dedicated to perpetuating an ethic of mutual respect and the development of artists through on-going group work. Steppenwolf has grown into an internationally renowned company of 42 artists whose talents include acting, directing, playwriting and textual adaptation. For additional information, visit www.steppenwolf.org.