The ARTIE AWARDS, produced by WNED|WBFO were a huge success in terms of fun, for honoring excellence in theater, and to raise money (over $14,000 and counting) for the ECMC Immunodeficiently Clinic. Some recent Shaw outings have been less than hoped for, but that's not the case for Shaw's SAINT JOAN which is powerful theater and for a tragedy, surprisingly funny. It's at the large Festival Theatre in Niagara on the Lake and makes full use of the stage to astound the audience. Opening tonight: FREE FRED BROWN! with Ujima Company at Paul Robeson Theatre on Masten Avenue.
OPENING
FREE FRED BROWN!, a play about a young black man who becomes the reluctant face of a movement while in prison, presented by Ujima Theatre Company at the Paul Robeson Theatre, one weekend only, June 9, 10, 11 Fri & Sat at 7, Sun at 4 in the African-American Cultural Center 350 Masten Avenue in Buffalo 14209 (281-0092).
ONGOING
HAY FEVER, comedy by Noel Coward presented by the Irish ClassicalTheatre Company, directed by Gordon McCall, starring Josephine Hogan, David Oliver, Marisa Caruso, Jordan Levin, Hillary Walker, David Lundy, Melissa Levin. Jacob Albarella, Andrea Gollhardt. Through Jun 25 Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).
LIGHT IN THE PIAZZA, musical by Adam Guettel & Craig Lucas, presented by Second Generation Theatre, directed by Loraine O’Donnell, starring Debbie Pappas Sham, Kelly Copps, Anthony Lazzaro, Marc Sacco, Rebecca Runge, Katy Miner, Matt Witten, Steve Jakiel, Leah Berst, Lucas DeNies, Christopher Andreana. Through Jun 18, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).
CLOSING DESDE EL PUENTE, a bilingual one-act play festival written, directed and performed by the Raíces Ensemble, presented by Raíces Theatre Company. Through Jun 11, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 6. Manny Fried Playhouse 255 Great Arrow Ave. 3rd floor. (381-9333).
UPCOMING
GODOT RODEO, six one-act plays by Matt Boyle, Frank Canino, John Elston, Mark Lloyd and Mike Fanelli, presented by Buffalo Writers' Theater, starring John Profeta, Leon Copeland, Brittany Germano, Becky Globus, Darryl Hart. Jun 17-25, Sat at 7 & Sun at 2. Rust Belt Books, 415 Grant St. (652-6719).
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, comedy by William Shakespeare presented by Shakespeare in Delaware Park, with an all-female cast directed by Eileen Dugan, starring Pamela Rose Mangus, Kate Conigisor, Priscilla Young Anker, Victoria Perez, Charmagne Chi. Jun 22-Jul 15, Tue-Sun at 7:30. Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park (856-4533).
NOISES OFF, comedy by Michael Frayn presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Andrew Borba. Jun 30-Jul 16. Bratton Theater, Chautauqua Institution (357-6250).
Adapted from “On the Boards” appearing in Artvoice 6/6/2017
