American Buffalo to open at the Belasco Theatre

The Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo, directed by Robert Falls, and starring Cedric the Entertainer and John Leguizamo, will open at the Belasco Theatre on 17 Nov 2008, following previews from 31 Oct 2008.

The Belasco Theatre was to have housed the Broadway revival of David Mamet's American Buffalo, but that production has now transferred to the Ethal Barrymore Theatre, following the news that the Broadway revival of Godspell, which was to play at the Barrymore Theatre from 29 Sep 2008, has been indefinitely postponed.

Cedric the Entertainer is both an actor and stand up comedian. As a comic he toured with 'The Kings of Comedy' show, and was one of the acts on Spike Lee's film 'The Original Kings of Comedy.' His film credits include: 'Dr. Dolittle 2,' 'Barbershop,' 'Barbershop 2,' and many others.

John Leguizamo was nominated for a Tony Award for Best Actor when he made his Broadway debut in his own play 'Freak' (1998), which itself was nominated for a Tony for Best Play. He also starred in his solo play 'Sexaholic' (2001). He has won two Obie awards for his off-Broadway appearances, the first for 'Spic-O-Rama' which played at the Westside Theatre (Upstairs), and the second for 'Mambo Mouth' which played at the American Place Theatre, both plays authored by himself.

American Buffalo tells the story of 'Don Dubrow,' (Cedric the Entertainer,) the owner of a junkshop, who decides along with his assistant 'Bobby' 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.

The role of Bobby is still to be cast.

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).