A. R. Gurney's perfectly pleasant new comedy Buffalo Gal, currently making its New York premiere courtesy of Primary Stages at 59E59 Theaters, laments the theater's struggle to compete with Hollywood. However, it lacks the bite that would be necessary to make its point register as more than just a passing concern.

Fading Hollywood star Amanda (Susan Sullivan) has returned to her hometown of Buffalo to headline the local theater's revival of Chekhov's The Cherry Orchard. The production's director, Jackie (Jennifer Regan), is worried that Amanda will fly back to Los Angeles at any moment -- a possibility greatly increased due to an unsigned contract, the prospect of a new sitcom, and the per[...]