This weekend all of the local Christmas shows wrap up, but with 41 Broadway theaters, not to mention off and off-off Broadway, New York City never sleeps. Anthony recently saw KING KONG (it's a musical, sort of), THE CHER SHOW (a jukebox musical with stunning costumes), GLORIA (as in Steinem, co-founder of Ms. Magazine), and THE LIFE SPAN OF A FACT about an overzealous fact checker (Daniel Radcliffe) and his editor (Cherry Jones).
LOCAL "CHRISTMAS CLOSINGS"
THE BETSY CARMICHAEL CHRISTMAS SPECIAL, interactive original comedy conceived & written by Mary Kate O’Connell & Joey Bucheker, directed by O’Connell, starring Betsy Carmichael. Through Dec 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. Through Dec 23, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 5, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and originally directed by Tim Carroll, starring Michael Therriault as Scrooge, through Dec 23, most performances sold out, at The Royal George Theatre, Niagara-On-The-Lake, part of The Shaw Festival (1-800-511-7429) www.shawfest.com
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. Through Dec 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
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. Through Dec 23. Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com
A VERY, VERY TRUMPY CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Todd Warfield, starring Stephanie Bax, Timothy Patrick Finnegan, A. Peter Snodgrass, Guy Tomassi. Through Dec 23, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Alleyway’s Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main St. (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE, a musical, about the "permanent" residents of Buffalo's Forest Lawn Cemetery, directed by Christopher Standart, at The Chapel on the cemetery grounds, through December 29 (288-5999) www.forest-lawn.com/events.
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. Through 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
MEET ME IN ST. LOUIS, radio-play/musical presented by American Repertory Theater, directed by Matthew LaChiusa, starring Courney Maj, Joe Russi, Derrick Reynolds, Candice Kogut, Kelly O'Hara, Joe Spahn. Through Dec 22, Fri & Sat at 8. 545 Elmwood Ave. www.artofwny.org
Listings adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice 12/19/2018
