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Theater Talk: A Broadway report and local theater tips on BUA, New Phoenix and Theater of Youth

Anthony had great fun at the red-carpet opening of the Jimmy Buffet musical ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE and some fun (but wanted more laughs) at Ken Ludwig's adaptation of MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS in Hartford. Also a tip: When in NYC, visit "Feinstein's 54 Below" for performances by Broadway's greats. Back home Peter was impressed by Pulitzer prize winning THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON (lots of testosterone over at the New Phoenix) as well as Theatre of Youth's latest Junie B. Jones adventure, and both Anthony and Peter are looking forward to BUA's production of SIGNIFICANT OTHER with a younger cast, as the script demands, at The Alleyway (opens tonight).

OPENING

SIGNIFICANT OTHER, comedy by Joshua Harmon presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Matthew J. DiVita, Zachary Bellus, Lissette DeJesús, Maria Droz, Anthony J. Grande, Sabrina Kahwaty, Peter S. Raimondo, Darleen Pickering Hummert. Mar 23-Apr 14, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Apr 8 at 7. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239).

CHARLOTTE'S WEB, play by Joseph Robinette, based on the book by E.B. White, presented by Rocking Horse Productions, directed by Leigha Eichhorn. Mar 23-25, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave. Lancaster. (683-1776). www.lancasterregionalplayers.org    

THE HOUSE OF BERNARDA ALBA, drama by Federico Garcia Lorca presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Amanda Lytle Sharpe. Mar 22-26, Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, Sun at 2, Mon at 7. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall at NU campus (286-8685).

ONGOING

DISGRACED, play by Ayad Akhtar, directed by John Hurley, starring Afrim Gjonbalaj, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Matt Witten, Candace Whitfield, Mohammad Farraj. Through Mar 31, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, musical by Lloyd Webber & Rice presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Matthew LaChiusa, starring Christopher Teal, Anthony Alcocer, Candice Kogut, Casey Moyer; Nick Lama, Eliot Fox; Timothy Goehrig, Gary Andrews Stieglitz. Through Mar 31, Thu-Sat at 8. The 330 Performance Space, 330 Amherst St. (697-0837). www.artofwny.org

THAT CHAMPIONSHIP SEASON, play by Jason Miller directed by Kelli Bocock-Natale, starring Richard Lambert, Victor Morales, John Kreuzer, Greg Natale, Mark Donahue. Through Apr 7, Thu-Sat at 8. . The New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park. (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org

CLOSING

AND THEN THERE WERE NONE, thriller by Agatha Christie presented by Aurora Players, directed by Joel Murphy, starring Chris Fire, Andrea Dudziak, Bob Bateman, Paige Ronan, Anthony Wizner, Christopher Jackson, Andrew Coder, Les Bailey, Melissa Cumming, Michael Starzynski, David Hall. Through Mar 25, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Roycroft Pavilion, Hamlin Park on South Grove St., East Aurora (687-6727). www.auroraplayers.org

BEN BUTLER, comedic drama by Richard Strand, directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring John Fredo, Christopher Evans, Tom Loughlin, Patrick Coleman. Through Mar 25, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com

DON'T BOTHER ME, I CAN'T COPE, musical entertainment written by Micki Grant, conceived by Vinnette Carroll, directed & by Carlos R. A. Jones. Through Mar 25, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org

JUNIE B. JONES IS NOT A CROOK, play by Alison Gregory presented by Theatre of Youth. Mar 24 & 25 at 1 & 4. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400). www.theatreofyouth.org

THE NANCE, play by Douglas Carter Beane presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Kurt Schneiderman, starring Christopher Standart, Michael Seitz. Through Mar 24, Thu-Sat at 7:30. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org

THE NIGHT ALIVE, comedy by Conor McPherson presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Brian Cavanagh, starring Vincent O'Neill, Brian Mysliwy, Cassie Gorniewicz, Kevin Craig, Adam Yellen. Through Mar 25, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

‘NIGHT MOTHER, drama by Marsha Norman presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by, Lara D. Haberberger, starring Heather Fangsrud, Priscilla Young-Anker. Through Mar 25, Sat & Sun at 2. Rust Belt Books, 415 Grant St. (598-1585). www.varlets.org

PRESENT LAUGHTER, comedy by Noel Coward presented by Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by M. Joseph Fratello, starring Marc Ruffino, Dianna Kolek, Dawn Marcolini Newton, Lori Panaro, Robyn Baun, Brian Tabak. Through Mar 25, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek, Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

JITTERS, comedy by David French presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Sue Toomey, Guy Balotine, Marc Jon Filippone, Jeremy Kreuzer, Brett Klaczyk, Lucas Lloyd, Len Mendez, Katie Buckler, Alley Griffin. Through Apr 8, 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

I DO! I DO!, musical by Tom Jones & Harvey Schmidt, presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Bobby Cooke, starring Mary Coppola Gjurich, Gregory Gjurich. Apr 5-May 6,
Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com

SCHOOL OF ROCK – THE MUSICAL, musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber’s presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Apr 3-8, 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

THE SHAW FESTIVAL

The Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake has announced its 2018 season https://www.shawfest.com/2018season/.
At the Shaw's Festival Theatre:

    The Magician’s Nephew
    Grand Hotel
    Mythos: A Trilogy – Gods. Heroes. Men.
    The Hound of the Baskervilles

At the Shaw's Royal George Theatre:

    Stage Kiss
    Of Marriage & Men: A Comedy Double-Bill
    O’Flaherty V.C.
    Oh What a Lovely War
    A Christmas Carol

At the Shaw's Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre

    The Orchard (After Chekhov)
    The Baroness and the Pig
    Henry V

THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL

The Stratford Festival in Stratford, Ontario, has also announced its 2018 season https://www.stratfordfestival.ca/WhatsOn/ThePlays including three plays by Shakespeare: Julius Caesar, The Tempest, Coriolanus, and The Comedy of Errors along with such classics as Long Days Journey into Night and An Ideal Husband.

Listings adapted from “On the Boards” appearing in Artvoice 03/21/2018

 

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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