American Buffalo at Theatre Jacksonville

Theatre Jacksonville kicks off its first ever Guerilla Show Series with David Mamet's American Buffalo. Directed by Thomas Trauger, the show runs for four performances only September 15-18. Contemporary and challenging, it's the perfect first choice for the new Guerilla series of minimalist and progressive shows that will run as extras in our 92nd season.

In American Buffalo, a coin collector stumbles across a valuable buffalo nickel in a small Chicago junk shop and purchases it for only $90. Later coming to believe that the coin was worth far more than this and feeling he has been unfairly taken advantage of, Don(T.R. Hainline), the shop owner, becomes determined to steal the coin back. He elicits help from Bobby (Derrick Routier), a young friend, and Teach (Michael Bartlo), a paranoid and violent braggart.

The three conspirators fancy themselves as businessmen pursuing the legitimate concerns of free enterprise. In reality, however, they are merely small time crooks, and all of their plotting amounts to nothing in the end. It is a futile, vulgar, verbal exercise that finally erupts in violence when their failure becomes apparent and the frustration becomes unbearable.

Authors

• David Mamet

Tony Awards and Nominations for American Buffalo