While Christmas in New York City is a time to add performances to the schedule, here in Western New York theaters shut down for the Christmas holiday. And so, locally, with the exception of IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE, this is your last weekend in 2015 to take in a Buffalo show.
As mentioned, most shows in and around town close this weekend. Two exceptions include THE GUNS OF CHRISTMAS, a staged reading of the play by Gary Earl Ross, as presented by Subversive Theatre, through December 22, Friday-Tue at 8 at The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (Better call first 408-0499) and IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE, written by Joseph Demerly, directed by Loraine O’Donnell, which runs through December 27, Saturday & Sunday at 2 at the Forest Lawn Chapel, 1411 Delaware Ave. (Better call first here too. 885-1600).
Closing this weekend are A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Neal Radice, which runs through the 20th, Friday at 7:30, Saturday at 5 & 8, and Sunday at 2 at the Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley. ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, a play written and directed L. Don Swartz, runs Friday& Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2 at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda. HARVEY, a comedy by Mary Chase, directed by Tom Makar, starring Richard Lambert, and Tammy Hayes McGovern is up through December 20, Friday and Saturday at 8 at the New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park.
LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, based on the series by Laura Ingalls Wilder, is presented by Theatre of Youth, through December 20, Saturday at 10 am and 2 pm & Sunday at 2at the Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St.
UH OH! HERE COMES CHRISTMAS, a variety performance by Fulghum, Zulia & Caldwell, is presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Joey Bucheker, through December 20, Friday and Saturday at 7:30, Sunday at 2:30 at The Park School, 4625 Harlem Rd., Snyder.
THE SANTALAND DIARIES, a one-man show by David Sedaris & Joe Mantello, directed by Doug Weyand, stars Kevin Kennedy, only through December 19, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 at the Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St.
SANTA CLAUS CONQUERS THE MARTIANS! adapted for the stage and directed by Billy Horn, is presented by Patchwork Theatre of Niagara, through December 20, Friday at 7, Saturday & Sunday at 3 & 7 at the Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. at Portage Rd. (Better call first 628-5347).
And JOSEPH’S GOSPEL, a one-man comedy starring Alan Safier runs through December 20, Friday& Saturday at 8, Sunday at 2 at 710 Main Theatre, located at, you guessed it, 710 Main Street.
