American Buffalo

at Morris Theatre Guild


Written by: David Mamet	Director: Matthew Johnson	Publisher: Concord Theatricals

Starring

Joseph Baima	Keenan Bigg	Jeremy Herbster

In a Chicago junk shop, three small-time crooks 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 Donny, the oafish junk shop owner, Bobby, a young junkie Donny has taken under his wing, and “Teach,” a violently paranoid braggart, are merely pawns caught up in their own game of last-chance, dead-end, empty pipe dreams.

David Alan Mamet is an American playwright, filmmaker, and author. He won a Pulitzer Prize and received Tony nominations for his plays Glengarry Glen Ross (1984) and Speed-the-Plow (1988). He first gained critical acclaim for a trio of off-Broadway 1970s plays: The Duck Variations, Sexual Perversity in Chicago, and American Buffalo.^[3] His plays Race and The Penitent, respectively, opened on Broadway in 2009 and previewed off-Broadway in 2017.

Feature films that Mamet both wrote and directed include House of Games (1987), Homicide (1991), The Spanish Prisoner (1997), and his biggest commercial success, Heist (2001). His screenwriting credits include The Postman Always Rings Twice (1981), The Verdict (1982), The Untouchables (1987), Hoffa (1992), Wag the Dog (1997), and Hannibal (2001).

Cast

Keenan Bigg		Bobby
Jeremy Herbster		Teach
Joseph Baima		Donnie Dubrow

Show Info

American Buffalo opened in Chicago at the Goodman Theatre Stage II on November 23, 1975, directed by Gregory Mosher with a cast that featured William H. Macy (Bobby), Bernard Erhard (Teach), and J.J. Johnston (Donny).

The play premiered Off-Broadway at the Theatre at St. Clement's Church on January 26, 1976 and closed on February 7, 1976. Directed by Gregory Mosher, the cast featured Mike Kellin (Teach), Michael Egan (Donny) and J. T. Walsh (Bobby).

The play premiered on Broadway at the Ethel Barrymore Theatre on February 8, 1977 in previews, officially on February 16, 1977, and closed on June 11, 1977 after 122 performances. Directed by Ulu Grosbard, the cast featured Robert Duvall (Teach), Kenneth McMillan (Donny), and John Savage (Bobby). Sets were by Santo Loquasto and lighting by Jules Fisher.

The play was revived on Broadway at the Booth Theatre, running from October 20, 1983 (previews) to February 4, 1984. Directed by Arvin Brown, the cast starred Al Pacino (Walter Cole, called Teach), James Hayden (Bobby) and J. J. Johnston (Donny Dubrow). The production was nominated for the 1984 Tony Award, Revival (Play or Musical), and Pacino was nominated for the 1984 Drama Desk Award, Outstanding Actor in a Play.^[8] During the November 8 performance of this run, Hayden received a standing ovation for his performance; six hours later, he died of a heroin overdose while on the phone with his estranged wife while in his Upper West Side apartment. He was replaced by his understudy, John Shepard.

The play was revived on Broadway in 2008 and starred Cedric the Entertainer, Haley Joel Osment, and John Leguizamo, but it closed after eight performances.

Creative Team

Matthew Johnson		Director
Brian Pross		Assistant Director / Technical Director
Christine Johnson		Stage Manager
Tamara Malebranche		Light and Sound Operator

Meet the Company

Keenan Bigg (Bobby)
Keenan Bigg is doing his second show at Morris Theatre Guild after playing Jud in Tribute (May 2022) Keenan was eager to take on the role of Bobby and is grateful to be able to work with Joe Baima and director Matt Johnson for the second time as well. When not on stage, Keenan works for Positive Coaching Alliance and teaches in the MBA program at Aurora University. He enjoys golf, competing against his friends on the TOUR and spending time with his wife and daughters. Keenan would like to appreciate the sacrifices made by his wife Beth, and daughters Quinn and Parker to allow him to participate in this production. He is exceptionally grateful for their love and support!

Jeremy Herbster (Teach)
Jeremy who is now residing here in Morris, Illinois; comes to us from the eastern shores of Delaware. He is a journeyman wireman of 18 years with the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers. Currently he is an “A” licensed skydiver with the United States Parachute Association and has jumped in several locations across the United States. Always up for an adventure he auditioned and secured his break out role as Teach in this iconic play “American Buffalo “. Jeremy is grateful for the support from his 20 year old son Dylan and Christine.

Joseph Baima (Donnie Dubrow)
Joseph has appeared in several shows at MTG, "Tribute" and "Diary of Ann Frank" among the most recent. He and his wife, Dr. Mary Pat Baima, are retired and enjoy spending time with family and friends.