By Joyce Kryszak
Buffalo, NY – For the first time in five years, Buffalo welcomes a new playhouse to the theatre district Friday. The self-proclaimed gypsy theatre company, Road Less Traveled Productions, opens Friday in its permanent home inside the Market Arcade Cinema.
Artistic Director Scott Behrend and his band of nomad actors and playwrights have nailed down considerable critical acclaim during their wandering run in Buffalo. Now, they've managed to nail down a home.
Road Less Traveled Productions cuts the ribbon on its new playhouse Friday afternoon - then later at night opens its first production of the season.
But if you catch a performance you might think you've gotten lost and wandered into a movie by mistake.
There's good reason. The performance space was constructed inside one of the arcade's still functioning movie theatres. Behrend said, what's so strange about that?
"We're thrilled to be in the theatre ditrict," said Behrend. "And we have cup hlders, and concessions!"
But don't get too excited. Behrend said, unless its a special event, there will be no eating during performances. And definitely no throwing popcorn at the actors.
The company doesn't seem to have to worry about that though. Behrend said everyone has welcomed them with open arms, including the theatre community.
Behrend said he believes his company has something unique to offer.
The Wendt Foundation provided $33,000 to build the theatre. But Behrend said volunteers provided all the labor.
And no, Behrend said his personal friend and company benefactor actor Alec Baldwin didn't hammer any of those nails.
But behrend said that Baldwin's recent appearance in Buffalo raised about $18,000 thousand to help get the theatre going. The first production, Manny Fried's the Dodo Bird, opens tonight.
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