Charlottesville Podcasting Network

Set in a junkshop and occurring over the course of one very bad day, American Buffalo tells the story of three blue-collar men — Don Dubrow, Walter “Teach” Cole, and Bob — as they scheme and dream of better lives. After realizing he’s sold a rare Buffalo nickel for a fraction of its value, Don comes up with a harebrained plan to steal it back with the help of Teach and Bob.

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American Buffalo is about much more than a simple heist. Don and Teach’s scheme is merely the latest offensive in their ever losing battle to make something of their lives. Don resolves to right the wrong done to him. Teach seeks to lie and cheat his way to the top and thus forces himself into Don’s plan. All the while, young Bob reverently, and mistakenly, seeks the respect of the two older but not necessarily wiser men. Through the interactions of the three men, the play provides an intimate, candid, and comedic look at the men’s attempts to improve their lot.

Director Mark Valahovic has a long history at Live Arts. If you dropped in on our Streetcar Named Desire this Summer, you’re probably still haunted by his Stanley Kowalski.

Valahovic says that, “Since David Mamet is an advocate of an acting technique to which I subscribe, this production gives me the opportunity to train actors to tell a story in a way that would make the playwright very proud if he were to see it. You’re invited, David.

“My goal is to tell a story that is so compelling and so funny that a Charlottesville audience member would pay to see it again.”

American Buffalo was written by Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet, famous for his innovative and unrestrained dialogue. In addition to American Buffalo, Mamet also penned many other works such as Glengarry Glen Ross and Speed-the-Plow, both of which earned Mamet Tony Award nominations (and both of which have been produced at Live Arts). A writer for the screen as well as stage, Mamet also wrote the screenplay when American Buffalo was made into a feature film in 1996, with Dustin Hoffman and Dennis Franz starring in the roles of Teach and Don respectively. His other screenwriting credits include the Oscar-nominated films The Verdict and Wag the Dog.

Cast for the Live Arts production of American Buffalo features Steve Tharp as Don, Michael Volpendesta as Teach and Philip Green as Bob.

For tickets or schedule information, visit livearts.org or ring 434-977-41777 ext. 108.

How does one describe a play in which more goes unsaid than said? Is there such a thing as a triple entendre? Decide for yourself after seeing Harold Pinter’s Old Times at Live Arts.

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When Anna goes to visit her old friend Kate and husband Deeley in the English countryside, each of the characters seems to relive and revise their pasts while reminiscing. The pastoral setting becomes quickly tainted, however, as Anna and Deeley politely spar for control of Kate. Under the direction of Francine Smith, this play explores the power of memory and the dangers inherent in trying to manipulate your own … or others’.

Francine Smith, Live Arts Director in Residence, is director of this production. When asked about Old Times, Smith said, “The essence of the play can be summed up in one of Anna’s lines: ‘There are some things one remembers even though they may never have happened, but as I recall them so they take place.’ Pinter’s work is distinctive and provocative in that what is not said (in the pauses) speaks more than the words themselves and the questions or recollections found in the play are ever answered or validated. Lots of bits and pieces leave the viewer free to conclude what really went on twenty years ago between Anna (played by Boomie Pedersen), Kate (played by Daria Okugawa), and Deeley (played by Chris Baumer).”

First performed on June 1, 1971 by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the Aldwych Theater in London, Old Times has continued to gain audiences across the globe through its universal examination of shifting time and definitions of truth. Written by Harold Pinter, renowned British playwright, actor, director and political activist, Old Times is one among a long line of his plays that have won him critical acclaim. It is with great excitement that Live Arts brings the work of this theatrical pioneer to our UpStage theater.

Tickets for Old Times go on sale to the public Monday May 28 and may be purchased in one of three ways. Tickets are sold via phone at the Live Arts Box Office, in person Monday through Friday 10 am. – 6 pm., or 1 hour before the performance. The preview performance of Old Times is June 7 at 8 pm. Free tickets to this continue

Season media sponsor is C-Ville Weekly. Photos in this entry are by Jack Looney of C-Ville weekly.

Cast of Ain’t Misbehavin, Dec 1 – 23 at Live Arts (Photo: Jack Looney/CVILLE Weekly)

If you walk past the City Center for Contemporary Arts building this weekend, you may not be able to resist the urge to dance. That’s because the music of Fats Waller will be shaking through the walls, as Live Arts begins its run of Ain’t Misbehavin’ on the Downstage Theater. I stopped by during rehearsals to find out more about the play, and spoke with director John Owen and cast members Lily Bryant and Ricardo Coleman.

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Find out how you can win a free pair of tickets to the show by listening in to the podcast.