When the pandemic turned the lights off on Broadway, the casts and crews of its shows suddenly found themselves out of work and with their dreams on hold. They included Nik Walker, of “Hamilton” and “Ain’t Too Proud,” and Bonita Hamilton, a 17-year-veteran of “The Lion King.” Now Broadway is back. NBCLX contributor Michelle Park and producer Mackenzie Behm take a closer look at how Broadway’s reopening is shining a light in a dark time for the theater community and audiences alike.
A revival of David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” with Laurence Fishburne, Sam Rockwell and Darren Criss was in rehearsal when the pandemic closed Broadway theaters. Now it's planning a return back with the same starry cast.
The Neil Pepe-directed production on Friday announced its intention to return to the Circle in the Square Theatre next year. Previews begin the week of March 22, 2022 with an opening on April 14, 2022.
“American Buffalo” is a heist comedy about three small-time criminals hoping to steal a possibly valuable nickel, but its also a no-holds-barred portrait of lowlife desperation and greed.
Fishburne has three Emmys and a Tony for “Two Trains Running.” Rockwell has an Oscar for “Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri” and Criss just won an Emmy for his work in "American Crime Story: The Assassination of Gianni Versace.”
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“American Buffalo” debuted in 1977 with Robert Duvall, Kenneth McMillan and John Savage. Its first revival featured Al Pacino, James Hayden and J.J. Johnston in 1983-84. An ill-fated 2008 revival starred John Leguizamo and the duo of Haley Joel Osment and Cedric the Entertainer, both making their Broadway debut.
