American Buffalo: Academy Award-nominated Haley Joel Osment to make his Broadway debut

The Associated Press reports that Academy Award-nominated Haley Joel Osment is to make his Broadway debut in the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo, directed by Robert Falls, starring along side Cedric the Entertainer and John Leguizamo, opening at the Belasco Theatre on 17 Nov 2008, following previews from 31 Oct 2008.

Osment was nominated for an Academy Award for his starring role as 'Cole Sear' in 'The Sixth Sense.' His film credits also include 'Forrest Gump' and 'Artificial Intelligence: AI.' He has appeared in a number of TV shows: 'Thunder Alley,' 'The Jeff Foxworthy Show' and most notably the final season of 'Murphy Brown.'

American Buffalo tells the story of 'Don Dubrow,' (Cedric the Entertainer,) the owner of a junkshop, who decides along with his assistant 'Bobby' (Haley Joel Osment) and his friend 'Teach,' (John Leguizamo) to rob a customer who they think owns a coin collection. However, their plans stir up their own rivalries.

American Buffalo, the first of Mamet's plays to be performed on Broadway, had its Broadway premiere in 1977, directed by Ulu Grosbard, it starred Robert Duvall as 'Teacher' and Kenneth McMillan as 'Donny Dubrow.' It was first revived in 1983, directed by Arvin Brown, and featured Al Pacino as 'teacher' and 'J. J. Johnston' as 'Donny Dubrow.'

American Buffalo is the second David Mamet play to be revived on Broadway this season, Speed-the-Plough is to begin performances at the Belasco Theatre from 3 Oct 2008.

Mamet's other Broadway credits include: 'The Water Engine / Mr. Happiness' (1978), 'Glengarry Glen Ross' (1984, revival 2005), Speed-the-Plow (1988) and 'The Old Neighborhood' (1997). 'November' (2008).

Robert Falls (director), the artistic director of Chicago's Goodman Theatre, won the 1999 Tony Award for Best Direction for his work on 'Death of a Salesman' (1999 revival) and was nominated for a Tony in 2003 for his direction of 'Long Day's Journey Into Night' (2003 revival).

Falls other Broadway credits include: 'Talk Radio' (2007), 'Aida' (2000), 'The Young Man from Atlanta' (1997), 'The Night of the Iguana' (1996 revival), 'The Rose Tattoo' (1995 revival) and 'The Speed of Darkness' (1991).