Two very intense 90 minute no-intermission dramas are gripping audiences this week, one at the Alleyway and one at Jewish Rep.
MY NAME IS ASHER LEV, a play by Aaron Posner based on the novel by Chaim Potok, presented by The Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Josie DiVincenzo, Adam Yellen, Tom Zindle. It’s up through November 15, Thursdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 4 & 8, Sundays at 2 at The Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, 2640 North Forest Road, Getzville (688-4114 x391). www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com
Speaking of leaving the theater in tears, that’s how the audience reacted to another intense 90 minute family drama, DANIEL’S HUSBAND, a play by Michael McKeever, presented by Buffalo United Artists and directed by Javier Bustillos, stars Tyler Brown, Timothy Patrick Finnegan, Anne Hartley Pfohl, Eric Rawski, Michael Seitz. “Mitchell doesn’t believe in gay marriage; Daniel does” is the tagline for this intense 90 minute family drama. You’ll start off laughing, but at the end you’ll be in tears. It’s up through November 7, Fridays & Saturdays at 8 at theAlleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239). www.buffalobua.org
Tonight’s openings include two plays in the downtown Buffalo Theatre district. APPROPRIATE, a comedy-drama by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Lisa Ludwig, David Mitchell, Aaron Krygier, Lisa Vitrano, Kelsey Mogensen, Dan Urtz, Renee Landrigan, Simon Mysliwy. It opens tonight and runs through November 22, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30, and Sundays at 2 at The New Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
OUTSIDE MULLINGAR, a play by John Patrick Shanley, presented by The Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti, stars Patrick Moltane, Kate LoConti, Pamela Rose Mangus, and Guy Wagner. It opens tonight and runs through November 22, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 3 & 7:30, Sundays at 2 at the Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com
And we have two musicals opening next week. MATILDA THE MUSICAL, the touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino opens on Tuesday November 3 and runs through November 8, Tuesday through Thursday at 7:30, Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 8, and final Sunday at 2 & 7 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
PAGEANT: THE MUSICAL, by Albert Evans, Frank Kelly & Bill Russell, directed by Doug Weyand, stars Bobby Cooke, Matthew Iwanski, Chris Kelly, Ben Michael Moran, Tom Owen, Marc Sacco, Michael Wachowiak, Michael Walline. It opens on Wednesday, November 4 and runs through December 6, Wednesdays & Thursdays at 7, Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 4 & 7, Sundays at 2 at MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.com
But wait, there's more. SYLVIA, a comedy by A.R. Gurney presented by The Buffalo Laboratory Theatre, directed by Taylor Doherty, stars Todd Benzin, Marisa Caruso, and Wendy Hall. It opens Thursday, November 5 and runs through November 15, Thurdays at 7:30, Fridays & Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2 at 710 Main Theatre, 710 Main St. (in case you were wondering). (1-800-745-3000). www.buffalolabtheatre.org
