The Subversive Theatre's tradition of exposing life's inequalities continues with THE FULL MONTY, opening tonight, based on the 1997 movie. It follows six unemployed men, four of them former steel workers, who decide to form a male striptease act that will be better than The Chippendales because they will go "the fully monty" (strip all the way). The Subversive Theatre connection is that it deals with serious subjects such as unemployment, fathers' rights, depression, working class culture, and suicide. But it IS a comedy.
OPENING
THE FULL MONTY, musical by David Yazbek & Terrence McNally presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Susan Forbes, starring Anthony Alcocer, Jeffrey Coyle, Thomas LaChiusa, Pamela Rose Mangus, Victor Morales, Jamie Nablo, Connor Graham, Alejandro Pèrez, Alfonzo Tyson, Tim Goehrig, Smirna Mercedes-Pèrez, Diane McNamara. Apr 13-May 12, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org
LIT 401: A SCHOOL SHOOTING IN ONE ACT, play written and presented by Drew Piatek and Gordon Tashjian. Apr 12-15, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. www.sheas.org/productions/lit401 Listen to WBFO Senior Reporter Eileen Buckley's coverage of this discussion provoking drama created as a reaction to the Virginia Tech shootings.
ONGOING
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. Through May 6,
Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com
THE ROAR OF THE GREASEPAINT -THE SMELL OF THE CROWD, musical by Leslie Bricusse & Anthony Newley, directed by Merete Muenter, starring David Bondrow, Stan Klimecko. Through Apr 22, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave. Lancaster. (683-1776). www.lancasterregionalplayers.org
CLOSING
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. Through Apr 14, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239).
TWELVE ANGRY MEN, play based on the movie by Reginald Rose, adapted by Sherman L. Sergel, presented by Theatre in the Mist, directed by Emily Pici, starring Mark Gravel, Anne Kurtis, Nick Thompson, Colin Fleming-Stumpf, Adam M Wall, Jack Agugliaro, Ryan Bradt, Anne Belin, Eric Fesmire, Kacie Matthews, Leonardo LiPomi, Tina Palermo. Through Apr 15, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Stella Niagara, 4421 Lower River Road, Lewiston (1-877-856-0694). www.theatreinthemist.org
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
AN EVENING OF NOSTALGIA, IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY, series of radio plays presented by Western New York Players. Apr 27 & 28 at 7:30. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 107 Scott St., Tonawanda (692-0906).
LOVE LETTERS, play by A.R. Gurney presented by Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, starring Maryalice Demler, Scott Levin. Apr 14 at 7:30 & Apr 15 at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com
SECURITY, performance installation by Tim Stegner and Frank Napolski presented by Torn Space. Apr 27-29 at 7. 612 Fillmore Ave. www.tornspacetheater.com
UPCOMING
THE AWFUL TRUTH, comedy by Arthur Richman presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti, starring Eric Rawski, Zak Ward, Diane Curley, Ellen Horst, Maura Nolan, Adriano Gatto, Marisa Caruso, Chris Kelly. Apr 20-May 13, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com
BUFFALO QUICKIES, festival of one act plays directed by Lee Becker, James Cichocki and Joyce Stilson, starring Christopher Standart, Andrew Zuccari, Tom Dreitlein, Jacquie Cherry, Bill Lovern, Kate Olena. Apr 19-May 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
CABARET, musical by Kander & Ebb presented by Casting Hall, directed by Jennifer Toohey. Apr 19-28, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8. Warren Enters Theatre, Upton Hall, Buffalo State (878-3005).
CHICAGO, musical by Kander & Ebb presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Steve Braddock. Apr 19-29. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall, NU campus (286-8685). theatre.niagara.edu
THE CHRISTIANS, play by Lucas Hnath, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Dave Hayes, Aaron Moss, Steve Jakiel, Victoria Pérez, and Lisa Vitrano. Apr 27-May 20, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2 Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
THE FOREIGNER, comedy by Larry Shue directed by David Oliver. Apr 27-May 20, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com
ONCE, musical by Walsh, Hansard & Irglová, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Jacob Albarella, Ryleigh Grace Cavanagh, Mia Cimato, Katie Clark, Steve Copps, Philip Farugia, Robert Insana, Amy Jakiel, Renee Landrigan, Bob Mazierski, Theresa Quinn, Andrew J. Reimers, Nick Stevens Apr 25-May 27, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.com
SIGHT UNSEEN, play by Donald Margulies presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Constance Caldwell, Josie DiVincenzo, David Lundy, Peter Palmisano. Apr 19-May13, Thu at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. The Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, 2640 North Forest Road, Getzville (650-7626). www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com
WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN, musical by Lane & Yazbek presented by UB Department of Theatre & Dance, directed by Nathan R. Matthews. Apr 26-May 6, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Drama Theatre, UB Center for the Arts, North Campus (645-ARTS).
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 04/11/2018
