CRITIC'S PICK
Stealing Buffalo
By Vern Urich & Craig Shaynak
Directed by Michael Kelly
Plays Feb 5th - March 6th
(Saturdays at 5 pm., Sundays at 6 pm)
Stealing Buffalo is a short play in two scenes written and performed by Vern Urich (Jed) and Craig Shaynak (Stu). It is several things at once. First, it is a tribute to David Mamet despite what the premise seems to be. It is also a tribute to the acting profession, especially for actors in Hollywood who have somehow managed to survive and still want to keep going in the biz in spite of the odds. Thirdly, it is a very funny story about two pals whose friendship endures at all costs. And lastly, it's about the work - the down and dirty blood and guts toil - that actors really dream of doing, but often cannot. Great writing and acting from both Urich and Shaynak and fine directing from Kelly make it a piece which can and should have legs.
As I was watching these two guys perform, the actor thing went through my mind: if only all young actors could see these two at work, they would understand what should be happening when actors talk to and play off each other, but much of the time doesn't. One actor listens while the other one emotes and gives a performance all by himself. Bad acting, right? Well, that is not the case in Stealing Buffalo. Here it is a simple case of not acting at all, but being the characters in the moment, with all the humor, frustration, anger coming from a specific place and registering spot on with laughs and tears - actually there's more happiness and joy than down time, in point of fact. The work is simply magnetic.
And the writing! David Mamet trivia, zodiac signs - which ones provide the best auras for actors, and knowledge of all the films that have been remade over the years, as well as a plot that drives forward at breakneck speed to a very unexpected conclusion. It's great stuff!
I'm sure I'm not saying anything that has not already been said, but if you have a chance to see Stealing Buffalo at some point in the future, run for tickets!
5 out of 5 stars
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