l-r, Teach (James Carpenter*), Bobby (Rafael Jordan*), and Donny (Paul Vincent O’Connor*) discuss a mutual acquaintance in American Buffalo
AMERICAN BUFFALO: Drama by David Mamet. Directed by Barbara Damashek. Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison Street, Berkeley, CA. (510) 843-4822 or visit www.auroratheatre.org. June 19 –July 13, 2014.
A powerful American Buffalo at Aurora Theatre is not for the lady in Dubuque. [rating:5]
Extended through July 20 (added performances: Tuesday, July 15, 7pm; Wednesday, July 16, 8pm; Thursday, July 17, 8pm; Friday, July 18, 8pm; Saturday, July 19, 8pm; Sunday, July 20, 2pm and 7pm).
It was 1977 when, David Mamet’s America Buffalo hit Broadway starting him on his journey becoming one of America’s leading playwrights. It was selected by and published in Burns and Mantle’s “Best American Plays; Eighth Edition 1964-1982.” The play reached San Francisco at the beginning of the 21st century. Two memorable productions graced the 400 block of Geary Street. Both were great successes although diametrically opposites in the choice of venue.
The 2001 staging directed by Louie Parnell at the intimate Poor Boy’s theater on the North side of the street had an extended run receiving very favorable reviews. American Conservatory Theatre’s professional staging with Bay Area icon Marco Barricella in one of the lead roles and directed by Richard E. T. White was equally well received although it played on a proscenium arch stage in the huge Geary Theater.
In the latest trip to the Bay area American Buffalo returns to the compact 150 seat thrust stage venue of the Aurora Theatre with the audience only a few arms lengths away from the actors. This allows the audience to be part of the action and you may wish to be seated away from the front rows that are continuations of the grungy extraordinary fantastic set (Eric Sinkkonen).
Mamet is known for his depiction of the seedier/notorious elements in our society and uses the language of the streets to give verisimilitude to his plays. So it is with American Buffalo that takes place in a Chicago re-sale/junk shop. Two denizens of the neighborhood are planning a robbery that involves a valuable American Buffalo nickel that has probably been sold at less than its actual worth. Donny (Paul Vincent O’Connor) the owner of the shop is the “brains” behind and instigator of the plot. His gofer Bobby (Rafael Jordan), a recovering not-too-bright druggie will take part in the heist. Plans drastically change when Teach (James Carpenter) enters with a display of vitriol that foreshadows what is to come.
When Teach wheedles the details of the plan he senses there is money to be had and maliciously begins to bad mouth Bobby’s ability and intelligence for the job. Teach becomes persuasive spouting aphorisms such as “action talks—bullshit walks” and emphasizing “business versus friendship.” Gradually with more diabolical intent Teach cons Donny into dumping Bobby and allowing Teach to share in the plan.
The best laid plans, although they are hardly the best laid plans, begin to unravel. Teach verbally back-stabs all those around him thus elevating himself to a lead position. The action takes place over 24 hour and in that brief time span Mamet with his terse dialog that often under-cuts each speaker creates fully rounded characters. As the hour nears for the actual event Teach becomes dictatorial, paranoid and unhinged leading to the cataclysmic ending. There is humor within the play that probably is unintended but does help to define character.
Jim Carpenter is absolutely stunning in the role and is the best of those seen by this reviewer. He displays the insecurity of Teach’s bravado that gradually detonates into irrational behavior dominating the stage with his actions even when he begins sniveling when physically challenged by Donny. Teach becomes a caged animal as Carpenter circles the stage with a cane or a shovel that he uses to destructive effect.
l-r, Donny (Paul Vincent O’Connor*) and Teach (James Carpenter*) confront one another about their plans for a heist
Paul Vincent O’Connor’s stature allows him to stand tall opposite Carpenters histrionics and radiates protective compassion for his friend Bobby while capturing the turmoil of Donny’s vacillation of “wanting that nickel back.” Rafael Jordan, who is studying in A.C.T.’s Master of Arts program, gives a splendid performance as Bobby.
Director Barbara Damashek keeps all the elements in balance and fight director Dave Maier earns accolades for his control of the fight scenes.
Running time under two hours including the intermission.
Cast: James Carpenter as Teach; Paul Vincent O’Connor as Donny; Rafael Jordan as Bobby.
DESIGNERS & CREW: Costumes, Cassandra Carpenter; Lighting Design, Kurt Landisman; Stage Manager, Angela Nostrand; Properties, Kirsten Royston; Set Designer, Eric Sinkkonen; Sound Designer, Matt Stines; Fight Director, Dave Maier.
Kedar Adour, MD
Courtesy of www.theatreworldinternetmagazine.com
Photos by David Allen
