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Theater Talk: Strong women on stages large - BODYGUARD at Shea's; & small - DESDEMONA at Rust Belt

Toronto born Deborah Cox has a voice and personality big enough to fill Shea's Performing Arts Center, which you can enjoy starting next Tuesday in THE BODYGUARD. Meanwhile, over at the very tiny (18 seat?) Rust Belt Books performing space, three women with personality - Jeni Arroyo, Caroline Parzy-Sanders, and Stefanie Warnick - present a different view of Shakespeare's play OTHELLO. Two plays opened last night:  the venerable two hander VISITING MR. GREEN (about a young man ordered to do community service bringing groceries to a cantankerous curmudgeon) and STUPID F**ING BIRD which is a very clever modern American recasting of THE SEAGULL by the 19th century Russian Chekhov.

OPENING

STUPID FUCKING BIRD, play by Aaron Posner, presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Michael Lodick, starring Connor Graham, Emily Yancey, Candice Kogut, Rick Lattimer, Diane DiBernardo, Thomas LaChiusa, Scot Kaitanowski. Oct 19-Nov 11, Thu & Fri at 8. The 330 Performance Space, 330 Amherst St. (697-0837).  www.artofwny.org

VISITING MR. GREEN, play by Jeff Baron, presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Steve Vaughan, starring Saul Elkin, Nick Stevens. Oct 19-Nov 12, Thu at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2.  The Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, 2640 North Forest Road, Getzville (688-4114 x391). www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com 

Credit GetOut! Magazine
Toronto born Deborah Cox stars in THE BODYGUARD opening Tuesday at Shea's

THE BODYGUARD, The Musical touring production starring Deborah Cox, presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Oct 24-29, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org

ONGOING

BUNNICULA, presented by Theatre of Youth. Through Oct 29, Sat & Sun at 2 (no performance Oct 21 & 22). Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400). www.theatreofyouth.org

DESDEMONA: A Play about a Handkerchief, play by Paula Vogel presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara D. Haberberger, starring Jeni Arroyo, Caroline Parzy-Sanders, Stefanie Warnick. Through Oct 29. Rust Belt Books, 415 Grant St. (598 – 1585).

STRAIGHT, play by Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola presented by Buffalo United Artists, starring Michael Seitz, Adam Hayes, Cassie Gorniewicz. Through Nov 4, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239). www.buffalobua.org

CLOSING

CHILD'S PLAY, thriller by Robert Marasco, directed by Vanessa Stipkovits, starring L. Don Swartz, Tommy Vane, Jesse Swartz. Through Oct 22, Thu at 7, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614). www.starrynighttheatre.com

DEAR WORLD, musical by Jerry Herman presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Kelli Bocock Natale, starring Mary Kate O’Connell, Roger Van Dette, Katy Miner, Amy Jorrisch, Nick Lama, Jon May, Matt Gilbert, Matthew Mooney, Gianna Palermo, Jeremy Kreuzer, Joel Russlett. Through Oct 22, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

STEEL MAGNOLIAS, comedy by Robert Harling presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Kyle LoConti, starring Lisa Ludwig, Lisa Hinca, Justyne Harris, Maureen Porter, Mary McMahon, Bethany Gruendike. Sep 21-Dec 3, Thu, Sat & Sun, evening shows arrival at 6, show at 7:30; matinee shows arrival at 1, show at 2:30. Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga (395-3207). www.mybobbyjs.com

UPCOMING

THE CRUCIBLE, drama by Arthur Miller, directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring Christina Foster, Aleks Malejs, John Fredo, Adriano Gatto, Peter Palmisano, Christopher Evans, Gerry Maher, Daniel Greer, Eileen Dugan, Adam Yellen, David Lundy, Leah Berst, Shelby Ehrenreich, Emma English, Christine Turturo, Mikyla Fisher. Nov 3-26, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com

DERANGED DURANG, one-act plays by Christopher Durang, presented by Buffalo State’s Casting Hall, directed by Shaun McLaughlin. Nov 1-11, Wed-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Flexible Theatre, Savage Theater and Communication Building (878-3005).

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS, drama by David Mamet, directed by Scott Behrend starring David C. Mitchell, Matt Witten, Dave Hayes, Steve Brachmann, David Marciniak, Patrick Moltane, Michael Dugan. Oct 27-Nov 19, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org

MEN ON BOATS, play by Jaclyn Backhaus presented UB Department of Theatre & Dance, directed by Eero Laine. Oct 25-29, Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Drama Theatre, UB  Center for the Arts, North Campus (645-ARTS).

Listings adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice (10/18/2017)

 

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
Even though "semi-retired," Peter Hall continues to wear many hats. He is the Sunday afternoon host on WBFO’s “sister station,” WNED Classical where he has produced over 1,000 radio interviews with musical artists. If you see him at a theater with a pen in his hand, he’s probably getting ready to co-host “Theater Talk” with Anthony Chase (heard Friday mornings at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on WBFO) or to write a review for www.buffalorising.com. He is also a member of the "Artie Awards" committee (think “Tony Awards for Buffalo theaters”).
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