American Buffalo Revival 1983

Ages: 14+
Opened: October 27, 1983
Closing: February 04, 1984

American Buffalo - 1983 - Broadway History , Info & More

Booth Theatre (Broadway)
222 West 45th St. New York, NY

One of Pulitzer Prize winner David Mamet's defining works, American Buffalo* opens at The Grove Theatre on Friday, February 28th. In 1977, when American Buffalo opened on Broadway, it was hailed as a new American classic, nominated for a Tony Award and won both an Obie Award, and a New York Critics Circle Award.



A classic tragedy, a modern masterpiece, American Buffalo is a story of three men struggling in the pursuit of their distorted vision of the American Dream. During one long day in a run-down junk shop, three men of great ambition and low morals plan a heist of a customer's valuable coin collection. When the con goes awry, it's every man for himself. This fast paced drama is all aggression and testosterone, with characters wielding words like weapons to intimidate, cajole and manipulate each other. By turns touching and cynical, poignant and violent, filled with explosive humor, frenetic energy and surprising tenderness, American Buffalo is a piercing story of how people can be corrupted into betraying their ideals and those they love. The results are hilarious, powerful and ultimately tragic in a play that's recognized as a modern masterpiece.

Get American Buffalo Email Alerts

Be the first to get ticket offers, news, photos & more.

Al Pacino Will Relase New Memoir 'Sonny Boy' This October
by Stephi Wild - Mar 12, 2024


Al Pacino is set to release a memoir, titled Sonny Boy, this October.  The memoir, published by Penguin Press, will detail the actor's career as well as his early life growing up in the Bronx.

Avantika, Tony Danza, Tovah Feldshuh, Tonya Pinkins and More Will Lead New Play WINDOWS
by Stephi Wild - Feb 29, 2024


 Windows, a new play written by New York Times Bestselling Author Tawni O'Dell will make its world premiere, in a strictly limited engagement March 25th - 27th at The Town Hall. Learn more about the play and find out who is starring here!

What's New On Max This January 2024
by Michael Major - Dec 21, 2023


Find out what's new on Max this January, including the Debut of HBO Original “True Detective: Night Country” and Max Original “On the Roam,” New Seasons Of Max Original “Sort Of,' HBO Original “Real Time with Bill Maher,” And Adult Swim's “Rick and Morty,” And Debut of HBO Original Documentary “Going to Mars: The Nikki Giovanni Project.'

Betty Buckley to Return to Joe's Pub for Six Shows in May 2024
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 14, 2023


Betty Buckley is set to return to Joe's Pub this spring. Learn more details and see how to purchase tickets!

What's New on Max This December 2023
by Michael Major - Nov 27, 2023


Stream Original Comedy Specials “Leo Reich: Literally Who Cares?!” For HBO And “Gary Gulman: Born on 3rd Base” For Max, Max Original Documentary “Oprah and The Color Purple Journey,” HBO Original Documentary Series “Murder in Boston: Roots, Rampage & Reckoning,” and more. Check out what's coming to Max and leaving Max in December 2023.

PHILADELPHIA BOUND? Fall Presents Over 120 Festivals, Block Parties, Shows, Charity Events and More
by Marina Kennedy - Sep 3, 2023


Are you bound for the Philadelphia area this fall.  There’s so much to see and do that our readers will like to know about. 

Stephen Bogardus, Lana Gordon & More to Star in World Premiere Musical ON CEDAR STREET at Berkshire Theatre Group
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 19, 2023


Get ready for the world premiere musical 'ON CEDAR STREET' at Berkshire Theatre Group, starring Stephen Bogardus and Lana Gordon. Experience the magic and unforgettable performances in this spectacular new production. Don't miss out on this enchanting musical event!

Maggie Siff, Pico Alexander & More to Star in ORPHEUS DESCENDING at TFANA
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 12, 2023


Theatre for a New Audience will present Tennessee Williams’ Orpheus Descending, July 9–August 6 at Polonsky Shakespeare Center. See who is starring, and learn how to purchase tickets!

Conductor JoAnn Falletta Receives 2023 Eroica Award From MOLA
by A.A. Cristi - Jun 5, 2023


MOLA: An Association of Music Performance Librarians is honoring American conductor JoAnn Falletta with the 2023 Eroica Award for Outstanding Service to Music.

Seth Parker Woods to Release DIFFICULT GRACE in April - Single & Video Out Now
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Feb 22, 2023


Grammy Award-nominated cellist Seth Parker Woods will release the world premiere recording of his multimedia concert tour-de-force, Difficult Grace in April

Atlantic Theater Extends CORNELIA STREET Starring George Abud, Norbert Leo Butz, Mary Beth Peil, and More
by Blair Ingenthron - Jan 18, 2023


Atlantic Theater Company (Neil Pepe, Artistic Director; Jeffory Lawson, Managing Director) has announced an extension for the world premiere musical Cornelia Street. The production, which will begin performances this Friday, January 20th and open on Tuesday, February 14th, will now play through Sunday, March 5th, Off-Broadway at Atlantic Stage 2.

George Abud, Norbert Leo Butz, Mary Beth Peil & More to Star in CORNELIA STREET World Premiere
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 16, 2022


Atlantic Theater Company has announced casting for the world premiere musical Cornelia Street, with a book by Tony Award winner Simon Stephens. Find out who is joining the cast, the performance schedule and how to get tickets.

World Premiere Musical CORNELIA STREET & Five World Premiere Plays Announced for Atlantic Theater Company 2022-2023 Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jul 21, 2022


Atlantic Theater Company has announced productions for its 2022-2023 season. Atlantic’s 2022-2023 season will include the world premiere musical Cornelia Street, with a book by Tony Award winner Simon Stephens, music and lyrics by Mark Eitzel, directed by Tony Award nominee Neil Pepe and more.

AMERICAN BUFFALO On Broadway to Require Audience Masking Through the End of its Run
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 24, 2022


There are two weeks left to see the Tony nominated Broadway revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO. The production will continue to mandate audiences to wear masks in this space, despite the recent industry announcement of masking-optional across other Broadway theaters beginning July 1st.  

AMERICAN BUFFALO Enters Final Weeks of Performances
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jun 17, 2022


Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss currently star in the Broadway revival of AMERICAN BUFFALO by David Mamet, directed by Neil Pepe. AMERICAN BUFFALO will end its previously announced strictly limited 16-week engagement on Sunday, July 10, 2022 at Circle in the Square Theatre.

AMERICAN BUFFALO Announces Digital Lottery and Rush Policies
by Stephi Wild - Apr 5, 2022


American Buffalo has announced its digital lottery and rush ticket policies! Find out how to get rush and lotto tickets to the production.

VIDEO: Couple Returns to AMERICAN BUFFALO 40 Years Later
by Nicole Rosky - Apr 4, 2022


Previews are now underway for the Broadway revival of American Buffalo, and the cast just welcomed back two very special guests to the Circle in the Square Theatre.

VOIVOD Announces North American Tour Dates for June
by Michael Major - Mar 29, 2022


Tour dates are in support of the band's new album Synchro Anarchywhich debuted at #2 on Billboard Canada's Hard Music Albums chart, #6 Current Hard Albums in the USA, #7 on the UK's Rock & Metal chart and charted #7 in Germany among other countries including Austria, Switzerland, Finland, Belgium, and The Netherlands.

VIDEO: Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell & Darren Criss Talk AMERICAN BUFFALO
by Nicole Rosky - Mar 22, 2022


Emmy & Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne, Academy Award & Golden Globe winner Sam Rockwell and Emmy Award & Golden Globe winner Darren Criss will star in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow, A Life in the Theatre). Performances for American Buffalo will begin today, March 22, 2022.

Photos: Meet the Cast of AMERICAN BUFFALO
by Bruce Glikas - Mar 18, 2022


Emmy & Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne, Academy Award & Golden Globe winner Sam Rockwell and Emmy Award & Golden Globe winner Darren Criss will star in the Broadway revival of David Mamet’s AMERICAN BUFFALO, directed by Neil Pepe (Speed-the-Plow, A Life in the Theatre). Performances for AMERICAN BUFFALO will begin on Tuesday, March 22, 2022. 

Former Shaw Festival Artistic Director Christopher Newton Passes Away at 85
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Dec 21, 2021


The Shaw Festival is mourning the death of Christopher Newton, former artistic director, who died peacefully yesterday morning at the age of 85. Actor, stage manager, playwright, artistic director, Mr. Newton made a momentous impact and life-long contributions to the Canadian theatre landscape and performing arts.

AMERICAN BUFFALO to Begin Limited Broadway Engagement April 14 at Circle in the Square
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 8, 2021


Emmy & Tony Award winner Laurence Fishburne, Academy Award & Golden Globe winner  Sam Rockwell and Emmy Award & Golden Globe winner Darren Criss will star in the Broadway revival of David  Mamet's AMERICAN BUFFALO, directed by Neil Pepe.

The 6th Claudette Sorel Piano Competition Announced
by A.A. Cristi - Oct 7, 2021


Now in its sixth year and named for pianist and SUNY Distinguished Professor Claudette Sorel, The Claudette Sorel Piano Competition is open to young pianists of all nationalities ages 15 - 18.

BWW Exclusive: Read an Unpublished Chapter About The Beach Boys from Albert Poland's Best-Selling Memoir, STAGES
by Robert Diamond - Feb 12, 2021


The Beach Boys were in a career low, and Maharishi had begun to fade from his media darling days as the Indian 'guru' to the Beatles, Mia Farrow, the Beach Boys and others. With photos andheadlines of the hip and famous at his ashram in India, Maharishi had burst into the spiritual mythology of media hype, creating a worldwide market for similar gurus, endless lines of clothing and Indian music of the brilliant Ravi Shankar, among others.

Ellen Taaffe Zwilich's Concerto for Cello and Orchestra To Receive Two Online Performances This Season
by Chloe Rabinowitz - Jan 7, 2021


On 1/23, at 7:30 pm MT, Bailey and members of the Boulder Philharmonic will premiere the chamber version of the concerto as part of an online event that will be available on demand through February 6. On Sunday, March 28, at 3 pm PT, a performance by Bailey and the Santa Rosa Symphony led by its music director, Francesco Lecce-Chong, will premier.

American Buffalo FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What productions of American Buffalo have there been?
American Buffalo has had 9 productions including Off-Broadway which opened in 1976, Broadway which opened in 1977, Off-Broadway which opened in 1981, Broadway which opened in 1983, Broadway which opened in 1983, Off-Broadway which opened in 2000, Broadway which opened in 2008, West End which opened in 2015 and Broadway which opened in 2022.
What Tony Awards has American Buffalo been nominated for?
Best Revival for Elliot Martin.
What awards has American Buffalo been nominated for?
American Buffalo has been nominated for the Performance category at the Theatre World Awards, specifically for J.J. Johnston.
What awards has American Buffalo won?
American Buffalo has won the Performance (Theatre World Awards) for J.J. Johnston.

Videos