Bobby (Rafael Jordan) catches heat from Teach (James Carpenter), observed by Donny (Paul Vincent o'Connor).
David Mamet's American Buffalo and Aurora Theatre's postage-stamp stage were made for each other. The play crackles with suspicion, strained loyalties, violence and caustic humor; the production comes close to putting audiences into the midst of it, magnifying every layer of its impact.
Considered a classic since the late '70s, when it thrust Mamet onto the roster of our leading dramatists, Buffalo remains as potent and relevant as it ever was. Its three characters are small-time crooks; their attitudes and ambitions would sit equally well on Wall Street, Main Street or in dark alleys.
The action takes place in a grubby Chicago resale shop, whose owner articulates his philosophy with benevolence but in no uncertain terms to a young, naive errand boy: "There's business and there's friendship . . . Things are not always what they seem to be."
Owner Donny is a hustler as well as a peddler of all manner of junk and curios, and furious that he was swindled when he sold a buffalo-head nickel to a collector for $90. He has come to believe it's worth much more, and intends to undo his mistake.
Assisting him in a scheme to steal the nickel and the buyer's entire coin collection are the gofer, Bobby, and a hot-headed crony named Teach.
But things go awry from the start, fueled by personal rivalries, mutual suspicions and simple stupidity, often voiced with absolute certainty. The certitudes, seen from the perspective of a wiser audience, shake the house with laughter.
Donny (O'Connor) and Teach (Carpenter), face-to-face: Friends aren't always friendly.
The play starts calmly, with Donny chastising yet encouraging Bobby in relatively paternal terms over a slip-up committed by the young man. When Teach comes crashing through the door, things explode.
Played to the frenzied hilt by Bay Area standout James Carpenter, Teach is a feral creature in perpetual motion: pacing, gesticulating, dropping F-bombs by the dozen, suspicious of everyone and loyal to no one. And brutal.
Paul Vincent O'Connor, another familiar figure on regional stages, brings a strong and relatively rational presence to Donny, who knows what he wants but stumbles over the mechanics of getting it. Despite misgivings and wariness, he's capable of loyalty and even compassion.
Newcomer Rafael Jordan injects a sharp contrast, playing Bobby with an air of timidity that borders on fright, even when the youngster is trying to seem assured. The approach adds an appropriate balance, and a sympathetic presence.
Mamet's cryptic dialogue sizzles with conflict, confusion, rage and fear, dispatched with a wide and nuanced range by Aurora's actors. Even in face-to-face confrontations, fury usually takes forms that are seethed rather than shouted. The approach is refreshing.
The edgy, abrasive interplay was directed with expertise by Barbara Damashek, exploiting not only the skills of her strong cast but also a marvelous set designed by Erik Sinkkonen. It fills the entire playing area with display cases, storage racks, desks, tables and heaps of free-standing junk, plus the likes of bicycle tires and garden tools hanging from above. When Teach takes a club to the furnishings in the furious climax, it's scary, especially for the folks in the front rows.
Except for one element of attire, the action could easily be viewed as contemporary rather than in the '70s. That detail is the polyester leisure jacket and bell-bottom trousers worn by Teach, whose crudity apparently belies a vain streak. Credit Cassandra Carpenter with the costuming.
American Buffalo runs through July 13 at Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. Tickets are $32-$50, from 510-843-4822 or http://www.auroratheatre.org
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
It's Another Trump-Biden Showdown — And We Need Your Help
The Future Of Democracy Is At Stake
Our 2024 Coverage Needs You
Your Loyalty Means The World To Us
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
The 2024 election is heating up, and women's rights, health care, voting rights, and the very future of democracy are all at stake. Donald Trump will face Joe Biden in the most consequential vote of our time. And HuffPost will be there, covering every twist and turn. America's future hangs in the balance. Would you consider contributing to support our journalism and keep it free for all during this critical season?
HuffPost believes news should be accessible to everyone, regardless of their ability to pay for it. We rely on readers like you to help fund our work. Any contribution you can make — even as little as $2 — goes directly toward supporting the impactful journalism that we will continue to produce this year. Thank you for being part of our story.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
It's official: Donald Trump will face Joe Biden this fall in the presidential election. As we face the most consequential presidential election of our time, HuffPost is committed to bringing you up-to-date, accurate news about the 2024 race. While other outlets have retreated behind paywalls, you can trust our news will stay free.
But we can't do it without your help. Reader funding is one of the key ways we support our newsroom. Would you consider making a donation to help fund our news during this critical time? Your contributions are vital to supporting a free press.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our journalism free and accessible to all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
As Americans head to the polls in 2024, the very future of our country is at stake. At HuffPost, we believe that a free press is critical to creating well-informed voters. That's why our journalism is free for everyone, even though other newsrooms retreat behind expensive paywalls.
Our journalists will continue to cover the twists and turns during this historic presidential election. With your help, we'll bring you hard-hitting investigations, well-researched analysis and timely takes you can't find elsewhere. Reporting in this current political climate is a responsibility we do not take lightly, and we thank you for your support.
Contribute as little as $2 to keep our news free for all.
Can't afford to donate? Support HuffPost by creating a free account and log in while you read.
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. Would you consider becoming a regular HuffPost contributor?
Dear HuffPost Reader
Thank you for your past contribution to HuffPost. We are sincerely grateful for readers like you who help us ensure that we can keep our journalism free for everyone.
The stakes are high this year, and our 2024 coverage could use continued support. If circumstances have changed since you last contributed, we hope you'll consider contributing to HuffPost once more.
Support HuffPostAlready contributed? Log in to hide these messages.