This week Theater Talk follows up on Anthony's latest blog posts. One earlier this week titled "Shea's: the Aftermath - How did things go so horribly wrong? A detailed analysis of a failure in not-for-profit leadership." And just yesterday a post titled: "Michael Murphy files a lawsuit... Claims anti-gay discrimination, retaliation, and defamation."
You can read both, plus the 20+ page complaint as filed by Mr. Murphy's attorneys. All that is in theatertalkbuffalo.com. Subscribe and you won't miss out on a lot of juicy theater news as well as great reviews.
Anthony is in rehearsals for his one-man show (well, two, counting Phil Ferugia at the piano) titled ANTHONY CHASE: MY LIFE IN THE AUDIENCE to open in November at the Bittersweet Piano Lounge in the Lafayette Hotel, 391 Washington St, Buffalo, NY 14203. Speaking of which, one of this week's openings, THE GENTLEMAN CALLER, is at the Bittersweet. Also opening this week: BRACE FOR IMPACT at Canisius's Mayday Theatre, MISERY at D'Youville's Kavinoky, and BURST starring Tracie Lane, Aleks Malejs, and Christine Turturro (see listings below).
OPENINGS:
BRACE FOR IMPACT, a new play, by Vincent DeStefano, directed by Mike Doben, presented by Bellissima Productions, starring Vincent DeStefano (Logan), Taylor Lee Hall (Lily), Sean Patrick Ryan (Trevor), Andrew Brown (Brad), and Colleen Pine (Julia). October 27 - November 5 Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 7:30, one matinee, October 29 at 3:00. Marie Mayday Theatre, Canisius College, in Lyons Hall, 2048 Main St, Buffalo, NY (ample off-street parking). 716-218-8530. bellissimaproductions.com
BRACE FOR IMPACT BLURB: Five long time friends gather one last time in a North Buffalo apartment as an asteroid hurtles towards earth. Faced with their untimely ends, and aided by various vices, they confront their life regrets, what could’ve been, and their deepest secrets.
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BURST, a new play by Rachel Bublitz, directed by Daniel F. Lendzian, starring Tracie Lane, Aleks Malejs, and Christine Turturro, October 21 – November 12, 2022. October 21, 22, 23, 25 at 7:30 are Pay What You Can Previews. Opening night is Wednesday, October 26 at 7:30pm, then performances continue Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30, with a matinee on Saturday November 5 at 3:30pm, and a special Monday performance on November 7 at 7:30 (for the convenience of industry but open to the public). Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo (on Main Street in the Theatre District) 716-852-2600. alleyway.com
BURST BLURB: Sarah is an extraordinary human being on the verge of saving the planet from her cushy office in Silicon Valley. At the helm of one of the fastest growing tech companies in history—a company she built herself from scratch—she is about to announce a major breakthrough that will make her richer, famous-er, and prove that she was right all along: biodegradable plastic. Oh, and tonight she also has to prep for tomorrow’s lawsuit, soothe her frustrated business partner, and fend off an eager journalist hungry for a scoop. It’s all in a night’s work on the climb to success. BURST is a fast-paced exploration of our drive to success, and who it takes down along the way. A contemporary peek into corporate power structures, Silicon Valley politics, and the global plastic emergency, the play was a finalist in the 2022 National New Play Network Showcase and will make its world premiere at the Alleyway.
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MISERY, a play by William Goldman adapted from Stephen King, directed by Brian Cavanagh, starring Adriano Gatto as Paul, Steven Brachmann as Buster, and Kavinoky Artistic Director Loraine O’Donnell as Annie ("the Kathy Bates role"). October 28 - November 20, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30 p.m., Saturdays at 3:30 p.m., and 7:30 p.m., and Sundays at 2:00 p.m. There will be one pay-what-you-can preview on Thursday, October 27th at 7:30 pm. The D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre, (716) 829-7668. kavinokytheatre.com
MISERY BLURB: The play version of the beloved Stephen King classic movie follows successful romance novelist Paul Sheldon, who is rescued from a car crash by his “Number One Fan,” Annie Wilkes, and wakes up captive in her secluded home. Annie forces Paul to write a new “Misery” novel, and he quickly realizes Annie has no intention of letting him go anywhere.
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THE GENTLEMAN CALLER, by Philip Dawkins, directed by James Cichocki, presented by Buffalo United Artists, starring Jonathan Beckner as William Inge and Matt Rittler as Tennessee Williams. Thursdays - Saturdays, October 27-29 at 8:00 pm, then November 3-5, 10-12 at 7:30 pm. Bittersweet Piano Lounge in the Lafayette Hotel, 391 Washington St, Buffalo, NY 14203 buffalounitedartists.org No One Under 18 Years Old Admitted. Content Warning: Nudity and Simulated Sex
THE GENTLEMAN CALLER BLURB: Tennessee Williams and William Inge today are recognized as two of the greatest American playwrights, whose work irrevocably altered the theatrical and social landscapes. In 1944, however, neither had achieved anything like genuine success. As flamboyant genius Williams prepares for the world premiere of his play THE GENTLEMAN CALLER(ultimately to become THE GLASS MENAGERIE) self-loathing Inge struggles through his job as a theater critic, denying his true wish to be writing plays. Based on real-life but closed-door encounters, reconstructed from troves of comments (and elisions) by each man about their relationship, Philip Dawkins gorgeously envisions what might have taken place during those early-career meetings.
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CLOSINGS THIS WEEKEND:
THE ADDAMS FAMILY MUSICAL, by Marshall Brickman, Rick Elice, and composer/lyricist Andrew Lippa, directed by Dewayne Barrett, musical direction by Joe Isgar, presented by O'Connell & Company, starring Joey Bucheker as Gomez Addams, Anna Fernandez as Morticia Addams, Michael J. Galante as Uncle Fester, Madalyn Teal as Wednesday Addams, Jared Eichel as Lucas Beineke, Sara Kovacsi as Grandma, John Perno as Pugsley Addams, Dan Mink as Lurch, Kelliegh Murray as Alice Beineke, and Michael Starzynski as Mal Beineke. October 14 - 30, Fridays - Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00 pm. Additional matinee at 3:00 pm on Saturday 10/22. NOTE NEW LOCATION! O’Connell & Company, 4110 Bailey Ave., Amherst, NY 14226 in the Eggertsville Youth & Community Center (about 500 feet south of Bocce Pizza). 716-848-0800. www.oconnellandcompany.com
The show also features "the kooky, mysterious and spooky 'Ancestors'”: Lizzie Arnold, Kris Bartolomeo Corey Bieber, Timmy Goodman, Vincent Murphy, Daniel Pieffer, Leanna Pulinski, Emory Redfearn, Aimée Walker, Michael Wells. Again, NOTE NEW LOCATION 4110 Bailey Ave., Amherst, NY 14226 (roughly between Main St. and Eggert Rd.)
Read Peter's combined reviews of ADDAMS FAMILY and SECRET GARDEN here.
https://www.buffalorising.com/2022/10/ghosts-galore-two-reviews-addams-family-and-secret-garden/
THE ADDAMS FAMILY BLURB: The magnificently morbid family is put to the test when outsiders come to dinner, hurling them into a night that will change their lives forever. Wednesday Addams, the ultimate princess of darkness, has grown up and fallen in love with a sweet, smart young man from a respectable family – a man her parents have never met. And if that weren’t upsetting enough, Wednesday confides in her father and begs him not to tell her mother. Now, Gomez Addams must do something he’s never done before – keep a secret from his beloved wife, Morticia. Everything will change for the whole family on the fateful night they host a dinner for Wednesday’s ‘normal’ boyfriend and his parents. Again, NOTE NEW LOCATION! 4110 Bailey Ave., Amherst, NY 14226.
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FUTURE WARS: A SCI-FI DOUBLE FEATURE features two play premieres, RESET a new play by Samantha Macher and OVERLAY, a new play by Adam Hahn, presented by First Look Buffalo, October 7 - 29, Thurs, Friday, Saturday at 8 pm, at The Park School Theatre, 4625 Harlem Rd, Amherst, NY 14226 firstlookbuffalo.com (716) 771-6358
RESET a new play by Samantha Macher BLURB: East coast premiere of Samantha Macher's play that the NOHO Arts District called; "compelling, stark, and bitterly funny." It's also a story about humanity, like all good science fiction is. RESET takes a hard look at what it means to be human in a not-too-distant future where machines can have feelings and dreams, just like us.
OVERLAY, a new play by Adam Hahn BLURB: The play is set in an unnamed country sometime in the near future, a country perpetually at war. But new technology has been developed to insulate soldiers from the horrible reality of their actions; However, nothing is perfect!
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THE SECRET GARDEN: Spring Version, adapted from the musical by Marsha Norman and Lucy Simon, based on the novel by Frances Hodgson Burnett, directed and choreographed by Michael Oliver-Walline with music mirection by Allan Paglia, presented by Second Generation Theatre, starring Ella Hinklin (Mary), Clark Garvey (Colin), Louis Colaiacovo (Archibald), Kelly Copps (Lily), John Panepinto (Neville), Amy Jakiel (Martha), Joe Russi (Dickon), Anne DeFazio (Mrs. Medlock), John Kreuzer (Ben), and an ensemble featuring Leah Berst, Bob Mazierski, Jenn Stafford, Collin McKee, Anthony Lazzaro, Maria Pedro, Jenny Marie McCabe, and Charles McGregor. October 14 - 30, Thursdays - Fridays at 7:30 pm, Saturdays at 8:00 pm, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 pm. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main Street, Buffalo NY 14202. Tickets at (716)508-7480 or sheas.org/performances/the-secret-garden. Information and virtual playbill at secondgenerationtheatre.com.
Read Anthony's review of THE SECRET GARDEN here.
(Note: A 6-month digital subscription to the Buffalo News is available for $1.) https://myaccount.buffalonews.com/offers
Read Peter's combined reviews of ADDAMS FAMILY and SECRET GARDEN here.
https://www.buffalorising.com/2022/10/ghosts-galore-two-reviews-addams-family-and-secret-garden/
THE SECRET GARDEN BLURB: The story is set in the early years of the 20th century. Mary Lennox, an English girl born and raised in the British Raj, is orphaned by a cholera outbreak when she is ten years old. She is sent away from India to the moors of Yorkshire, England, to live in the manor of a brooding uncle she has never met. There, her personality blossoms among the other residents of the manor as they bring new life to a long-neglected garden. This version runs under two hours, keeping the heart and spirit of the original story in a format that better suits young audiences. “This is a heartfelt musical story of love, loss, and regeneration. SGT is poised to continue our legacy of quality, immersive experiences featuring actor debuts from an exciting 'third generation' with SGT Academy alum Ella Hinkin and Clark Garvey,” says Executive Director Kristin Bentley. Both Hinklin and Garvey have been students of SGT’s theatre education program since 2017, but this is their first show with the company. Hinklin’s mother, four-time Artie Award winning actor Jenn Stafford, is also featured in THE SECRET GARDEN. This is the first time the duo has appeared on stage together.
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CONTINUING:
MAKING GOD LAUGH, a "comedy/drama" by Sean Grennan, directed by Jay Desiderio, presented by Desiderio's Dinner Theatre , starring Lisa Hinca, Michael Breen, Audrey Grout, Vincent Barile, and Caleb Paxton. September 15 - November 6 on select days (see website) with evening show dinner at 6 and show at 7:30, matinée show dinner at 1 and show at 2:30. Theater is located within Bobby J's Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga, NY 14227. (716)395-3207 mybobbyjs.com/desiderio-s-dinner-theatre.
MAKING GOD LAUGH BLURB: This is a family comedy/drama that takes place in four scenes, each ten years apart, set at various holidays. Starting in 1980, the newly “launched” kids (a priest, an aspiring actress, and a former star football player) all return home, where we learn of their plans and dreams as they embark on their adult lives. The “empty nest” parents contend with their own changes too, as old family rituals and dubious recipes are trotted out and ancient tensions flare up. Over the course of thirty years worth of celebrations- Thanksgiving, Christmas, New Years Eve and Easter- we see how, despite what we may have in mind, we often arrive at unexpected destinations. “If you want to make god laugh, tell him your plans...”
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THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL LIST OF SUMMER PLAYS THROUGH OCTOBER 30, 2022:
Summary: You have until October 30 to get to the Stratford Festival in Stratford Ontario where stunning productions of HAMLET, RICHARD III, and ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL continue throughout the entire month. Color-rich casting and Stratford's traditionally impeccable production values make these three plays a "must-see." But some of the best experiences come from their new plays, especially 1939 and DEATH AND THE KING'S HORSEMAN. And, at their big festival playhouse, they have a very funny THE MISER, and a stunning CHICAGO as well.
The Stratford Festival recommends downloading their Visitors Guide to discover information about Shows, Forum Events, Special Performances, Speakers & Panels, Workshops, Tours & Exhibits, and much more. Click here: https://cds.stratfordfestival.ca/uploadedFiles/2022-Visitors-Guide.pdf
Read Peter's preview of the 2022 summer season here.
Read Peter's review of the three by Shakespeare currently in repertory at Stratford here.
https://www.buffalorising.com/2022/08/a-trip-to-stratford-part-i-all-shakespeare/
Read Peter's review of three more modern shows - CHICAGO, EVERY LITTLE NOOKIE, and LITTLE WOMEN here.
The Stratford musical this summer is
CHICAGO by Kander & Ebb & Fosse
which runs Through OCT 30 at The Festival Theatre
The comedy this summer is
THE MISER by Moliere
which runs through OCT 29 at The Festival Theatre
The family show this summer is
LITTLE WOMEN (a modern adaptation of the Luisa May Alcott classic)
which runs Through OCT 29 at The Avon Theatre
And there are three Shakespeare plays
RICHARD III in a stunning production starring Colm Feore as Richard III with Shaw & Stratford favorite actor Andre Sills as his right hand man. That runs through OCT 30 at The Tom Patterson Theatre (newly rebuilt from the ground up!)
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL
which runs Through OCT 29 at The Tom Patterson Theatre (newly rebuilt from the ground up!)
HAMLET
which runs Through OCT 28 at The Festival Theatre
And there were four “Modern” plays this summer at Stratford with two of them now closed:
EVERY LITTLE NOOKIE at the Studio Theatre which ran through October 1 and HAMLET-911 which ended on October 2, 2022.
However, two of the best modern plays this summer continue.
DEATH AND THE KING'S HORSEMAN by Nobel Laureate and Nigerian exile Wole Soyinka in which Elessin, the king's chief and horseman, is expected to commit suicide to join his king in the afterlife. Elessin is willing, but delays slightly to enjoy some last-minute earthly delights, and when the British "Raj" gets involved, it leads to a disastrous end. Watch for Amaka Umeh as the Praise Singer (and truth-teller). She's also playing Hamlet in this summer's production. It runs through OCT 29 at The Tom Patterson Theatre (newly rebuilt from the ground up).
In the play 1939, co-written by Jani Lauzon and Kaitlyn Riordan, it's 1939 at five indigenous students at a residential school in northern Ontario have been chosen by their Welsh-born teacher to perform Shakespeare's "All's Well that Ends Well." It's about a clash of cultures and about the mistreatments of indigenous children at residential schools. 1939 runs through OCT 29 at the Studio Theatre,
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SHOWS OPENING IN NOVEMBER, 2022:
BEEHIVE: The 60s Musical, by Larry Gallagher, Directed & Choreographed by Carlos R.A. Jones, presented by MusicalFare Theatre, November 9th – December 11th, Wednesdays - Thursdays at 7:00pm, Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 3:30pm and 7:30pm and Sundays at 2:00pm. On the campus of Daemen College, MusicalFare Theatre is located at 4380 Main Street in Amherst, NY (tip: enter off Getzville Road). There will be a special “half-price preview” on Tuesday, November 8th at 7:00pm. Meet-the-cast talkbacks take place after all Wednesday performances EXCEPT opening night, November 9th. THERE IS NO PERFORMANCE ON THANKSGIVING DAY (THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 24th). 716-839-8540 www.musicalfare.com
BEEHIVE BLURB: Starring Brittany Bassett-Baran, Stevie Jackson, Lily Jones, Sabrina Kahwaty, Kristen-Marie Lopez and Timiyah Love, six women sing the rock-n-roll music of the 1960s in a night of non-stop song and dance! Featuring a fantastic showcase of songs like "My Boyfriend's Back," "It's My Party," "Natural Woman," "Me & Bobby McGee" and many more! Assistant Choreographed by Robin Barker, Music Direction by Philip Farugia, Set, Lighting & Sound Design is by Chris Cavanagh, Costume Design is by Kari Drozd and Hair, Wig & Make-up Design is by Susan Drozd.
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THE CHOSEN, a play adapted by Aaron Posner and Chaim Potok from the novel by Chaim Potok, directed by JRT Artistic Director Saul Elkin, starring Ray Boucher, Sam Fesmire, Max Goldhirsch, Tom Loughlin, And David Lundy, presented by Jewish Repertory Theater, November 3-November 20, Thursdays 7:30, Saturdays 3:30pm & 7:30pm, Sundays 2:00pm. 2640 N Forest Rd, Getzville, NY. 716-688-4033 jewishrepertorytheatre.org
THE CHOSEN BLURB: For the first production of our 20th anniversary season, we return to one of JRT’s first hit shows. This stage adaptation of the rTHE CHOSEN BLURB: For the first production of our 20th anniversary season, we return to one of JRT’s first hit shows. This stage adaptation of the revered novel is the story of two boys, two fathers, and two very different Jewish communities— “five blocks and a world apart” —in Williamsburg, Brooklyn, in the 1940s. Set against the backdrop of WWII, the revelation of the Holocaust, and the desperate struggle of Zionism, THE CHOSEN remains not essentially political or religious but deeply human. Reuven Malter and Danny Saunders are both passionate and intelligent young men. When Danny injures Reuven during a heated baseball game between their rival yeshivas, a unique friendship is born. As the boys grow to manhood, they are forced to learn important lessons about each other, their fathers, and themselves. This is a story of friendship, family, and difficult choices that we must all make on the path to understanding, respect, and reconciliation.
NOTE: Stage to Screen: The Chosen- In Association with JCC Cultural Arts Monday, November 14 at 7:00 pm at 2640 N Forest Rd, Getzville, NY. All are invited for a free screening of the award-winning 1981 film adaptation of "The Chosen," starring Maximillian Schell and Rod Steiger. (Popcorn will be provided!)
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EVITA, musical by Andrew Lloyd Weber, concert performance presented by Starring Buffalo, starring Broadway professionals, Buffalo professionals, and the outstanding high school choirs from City Honors and Frederick Law Olmsted! for three shows only, Friday November 4 7:30 pm, Saturday November 5 at both 2 pm and 7:30 pm.
EVITA BLURB: EVITA is the soaring epic musical by seven-time Tony Award-Winning Andrew Lloyd Webber (The Phantom of the Opera, Cats) and three-time Academy Award-Winning Tim Rice (The Lion King, Jesus Christ Superstar). Set in Argentina between 1934 and 1952, EVITA charts Eva Peron’s rise to become the most powerful woman in Latin America, and features some of musical theater’s finest songs, including the smash hit “Don’t Cry for Me, Argentina”.
The Starring Buffalo signature concert performances will feature Tony Award-Winning Lena Hall (Hedwig and the Angry Inch, Kinky Boots) as Eva, Robi Hager (Spring Awakening, Little Duende) as Che, and Nicholas Rodriguez (Company, Tarzan) as Juan Peron, performing alongside Buffalo area stars Anna Fernandez (Artie Award-Nominee, A Chorus Line) as The Mistress, and Raphael Santos (Artie Award-Nominee, The Toxic Avenger) as Magaldi. Buffalo’s best join them on stage for each unforgettable performance: Blaise Mercedes, Victoria Pérez, Mateo Rivera, Joe Russi, Madalyn Teal and Dan Torres, as well as dozens of Western New York singers, dancers, and musicians.
The M&T Broadway series at Shea's for 2022-2023 includes:
TINA: THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL Nov 8-13, 2022
COME FROM AWAY Dec 13-18, 2022
HADESTOWN Feb 21-26, 2023
BEETLEJUICE Mar 21-26, 2023
SIX Apr 25-May 7, 2023
JAGGED LITTLE PILL Jun 6-11, 2023
with two "special engagements"
Disney's ALADDIN Nov 22-27, 2022 and
DEAR EVAN HANSEN June 20-25, 2023.
