HIGHLAND HILLS – The Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C®) Eastern Campus Theatre Department will open a production of American Buffalo by David Mamet on Friday, May 6, at 8 p.m. The production is directed by acclaimed director Brian Zoldessy of Shaker Heights, who will also appear in the thought-provoking and humorous play.

American Buffalo follows three men who are conspiring to steal a coin collection after junk shop owner Don discovers that the buffalo head nickel he recently sold was more valuable than he imagined. The would-be thieves deal with growing frustrations and mounting tension as their plans do not come to fruition as had been expected. An examination of American consciousness, the play tackles the ability to suspend ethics and adopt a popular mythology to assuage one’s conscience.

Zoldessy is an assistant professor and director of the Theatre Arts Department at the Tri-C Eastern Campus. He was awarded two Best Director awards in 2008 by The Times Newspaper Theatre Tribute Awards, a division of The Northeast Ohio Critics Association. 

Show times are May 6, 7, 12 and 13 at 8 p.m., and May 8 and 15 at 2 p.m. All shows will take place in the ELA Performing Arts Building Studio Theatre on the Eastern Campus, located at 4250 Richmond Road, a quarter mile west of I-271 at the corner of Richmond and Harvard Roads.

Parking at Eastern Campus is available in designated visitor lots for $1 for a two-hour time block, or a hangtag permit can be purchased for 75 cents. Please call 216-987-4772 for more information.

Tickets are $10 and reservations are recommended. For reservations or more information call (216) 987-2438. American Buffalo contains adult subject matter and language, and is not appropriate for students under 16 years of age.