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Theater Talk: Openings all over town (& "Phantom Unmasked" one night only)

Kavinoky Theatre Facebook page

PHANTOM UNMASKED, a benefit concert and part of the fundraising efforts of the WNED/WBFO Artie Awards to benefit ECMC’s HIV/AIDS Immunodeficiency Services, ($20 donation minimum) featuring cast members from the touring company of THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, “singing songs they’re totally not right for from their favorite 1990s Broadway musicals” is up one night only, April 30 at 7:30 p.m. at the Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).  Tonight's openings are THE CHRISTIANS at Road Less Traveled, THE FOREIGNER at the Kavinoky, and of course PHANTOM at Shea's, while last night it was WOMEN ON THE VERGE OF A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN (another Yazbek musical) at UB.

OPENING

THE CHRISTIANS, play by Lucas Hnath, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Dave Hayes, Aaron Moss, Steve Jakiel, Victoria Pérez, 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, starring Kevin Craig, Patrick Moltane, Aleks Malejs, Christopher Evans, Anne Gayley, David Mitchell. Dan Urtz. 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

THE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA, touring production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Previews Apr 26 at 1 & 7:30. Apr 27-May 6, 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

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).

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

PHANTOM UNMASKED, a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and ECMC’s HIV/AIDS Immunodeficiency Services, featuring cast members from the touring company of The Phantom of the Opera. Apr 30 at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).
AN EVENING OF NOSTALGIA, IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY, series of radio plays presented by WNY Players. Apr 27 & 28 at 7:30. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 107 Scott St., Tonawanda (692-0906).

MOJADA, a reading in English of the play by Luis Alfaro, presented by Raíces Theatre Company, directed by Megan Callahan starring Anthony Alcocer, Marta Aracelis, Melinda Capeles, Lissette DeJesus, Carlos Rafael Maggiolo, Victoria Pérez. Apr 29 at 6. Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. Free admission (381-9333).

SECURITY, performance installation by Tim Stegner and Frank Napolski presented by Torn Space. Apr 27-29 at 7. 612 Fillmore Ave. www.tornspacetheater.com
ONGOING

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. Through 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. Through May 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com

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. Through 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

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

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. Through 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. Through 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
CLOSING
CABARET, musical by Kander & Ebb presented by Casting Hall, directed by Jennifer Toohey. Through Apr 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. Through Apr 29. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall, NU campus (286-8685). theatre.niagara.edu

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

AN EVENING OF NOSTALGIA, IMAGINATION AND CREATIVITY, series of radio plays presented by WNY Players. Apr 27 & 28 at 7:30. Immanuel Lutheran Church, 107 Scott St., Tonawanda (692-0906).

MOJADA, a reading in English of the play by Luis Alfaro, presented by Raíces Theatre Company, directed by Megan Callahan starring Anthony Alcocer, Marta Aracelis, Melinda Capeles, Lissette DeJesus, Carlos Rafael Maggiolo, Victoria Pérez. Apr 29 at 6. Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. Free admission (381-9333).

PHANTOM UNMASKED, a benefit concert for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS and ECMC’s HIV/AIDS Immunodeficiency Services, featuring cast members from the touring company of The Phantom of the Opera. Apr 30 at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

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

BLACKBERRY DAZE, musical by Watson, Jones & Knowles, starring Latosha Payton, Danielle Green, Sandra Gilliam, Tifani Wofford, Ayana Williams, Augustus Donaldson Jr., Fisher. May 4-27, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org  

THE CURIOUS SAVAGE, comedy by John Patrick, directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Julie Senko, Gary W. Cox, Vanessa Stipkovits, Alexandra Saleh, Quentin Gray. May 10-20, Thu at 7, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).
www.starrynighttheatre.com

THE RAIN DOGS PROJECT, one acts based on the music of Tom Waits, presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Nick Lama and Katherine Burkhart, starring Candice Kogut, John Profeta, John Kreuzer, Carly Luksch, Gary Andrews-Stieglizt, Courtney Maj. May 10-26, Thu-Sat at 8. Jim Bush Studios, 44 17th St. (697-0837). www.artofwny.org

ROUNDING THREE, play by Richard Dresser. May 11-20, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave. Lancaster. (683-1776). www.lancasterregionalplayers.org

STELLALUNA, adapted for the stage by Saskia Janse, based on the book by Janell Cannon, music by Guus Ponsioen, presented by Theatre of Youth. May 5-Jun 2, Sat & Sun at 2 (no performance May 26 & 27). Allendale Theatre 203 Allen St.  (884-4400). www.theatreofyouth.org

BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY, comedy by Ken Ludwig presented by MusicalFare, directed by Randall Kramer & Doug Weyand, starring Todd Benzin, Patrick Cameron, Maria Droz, Chris J. Handley, Marc Sacco. May 10 at 7:30, May 11-19, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s 710 Theatre, 710 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

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 04/25/2018

 

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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