HAMILTON is a cultural phenonmenon, introducing new audiences to musical theater with a mixed race cast singing in a mixture of styles in a touring production at Shea's that does not diminish the Broadway effect in any way. Tickets are available. The setting of Lin-Manuel Miranda's earlier musical, IN THE HEIGHTS, is reprised in Raíces Theater Company's BARCELÓ ON THE ROCKS, set in NYC's Washington Heights neighborhood, and it opens tonight at the Manny Fried Theater.
OPENING
BARCELÓ ON THE ROCKS, play by Marco Antonio Rodriguez presented by Raíces Theatre Company, directed by Victoria Pérez, starring Alejandro Gabriel Gómez, Rolando Martín Gómez, Jake Hayes, Victor Morales, Dewel Pérez, Jordan Rosas. Nov 30-Dec 16, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 6. Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave. Third Floor (381-9333). www.raicestheatrecompany.com
A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS, based on the story by Charles M. Schulz and the television special by Melendez & Mendelson, adapted by Eric Schaeffer, presented by Theatre of Youth. Dec 1-16, Sat & Sun at 1 & 4. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400). www.theatreofyouth.org
GREETINGS!, play by Tom Dudzick presented by Western Door Playhouse, directed by Bob Priest, starring Kris Bookhagen, Sam Granieri, Brandon Minicucci, Amanda Molinaro, Ricco Slaiman. Nov 30 – Dec 9, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun. at 2:30. Woodbox Theatre, Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. at Portage Rd. (297-5910).
IS HE DEAD?, comedy by Mark Twain presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Amanda Sharpe. Nov 29-Dec 9. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall, NU campus (286-8685).
NUNCRACKERS, musical by Dan Goggin presented by O'Connell & Company, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Susana Breese, Mary Craig, Mary Moebius, Ann Mosner, Mary Kate O’Connell, Michael Starzynski. Nov 29-Dec 23. Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com
SILENT NIGHT, the Pulitzer Prize winning opera by Kevin Puts and Mark Campbell, presented with orchestra in a fully staged production by Buffalo Opera Unlimited, Friday, November 30 at 8:00, Sunday, December 2 at 2:30 at Rockwell Hall Performing Arts Center, 1300 Elmwood Avenue. (878-3005) www.buffalostatepac.org
ONGOING
CHRISTMAS OVER THE TAVERN, world premiere of the musical by Tom Dudzick, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Jacob Albarella, Isaac Fesmire, Samuel Fesmire, Wendy Hall, Pamela Rose Mangus, Caroline Schettler, Michael Scime. Through Dec 16, 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
HAMILTON, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Through Dec 9, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 1 & 7. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
MY THREE ANGELS, comedy by Samuel & Bella Spewack, directed by Tom Makar. Through Dec 15, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org
CLOSING
KING HEDLEY, play by August Wilson, directed by Edward G. Smith, starring Jon Cesar, Hugh Davis, Christina Foster, Al Garrison, Renita Shadwick, Vincenzo L. McNeill. Through Dec 2, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org
More…..
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
THE LADIES FOURSOME, comedy by Norm Foster presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Lisa Ludwig, Maureen Porter, Susan Toomey, Lisa Hinca. Nov 15-Jan 20, 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 BETSY CARMICHAEL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, interactive original comedy conceived & written by Mary Kate O’Connell & Joey Bucheker, directed by O’Connell, starring Betsy Carmichael, Dec 14-23, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 654 Main St. (847-0850). www.oconnellandcompany.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Neal Radice, starring David C. Mitchell, James Cichocki, David G. Poole, Joyce Stilson, Roger VanDette, Emily Yancey, Lauren McGowan. Dec 7-23, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 5, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE, play presented by Aurora Players, directed by Michael Breen, Dec 6-9, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Roycroft Pavilion, in Hamlin Park. South Grove St., East Aurora (687-6727). www.auroraplayers.org
MISS BENNET: CHRISTMAS AT PEMBERLEY, play by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon, presented by Road Less Traveled Productions, directed by Katie Mallinson, starring Alex Watts, Nick Stevens, Amy Feder, Todd Benzin, Rosa Fernandez, Darryl Semira, Brittany Bassett, Tracy Snyder. Dec 7-22, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Shea's 710 Theatre, 710 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
A VERY, VERY TRUMPY CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Todd Warfield, starring Stephanie Bax, Timothy Patrick Finnegan, A. Peter Snodgrass, Guy Tomassi. Dec 7-23, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Dec 16 & 23 at 7. Alleyway’s Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main St. (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
Adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice 11/27/2018
