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Theater Talk: A new generation is in CATS, going to Prague, in NATIVE SON

BuffaloNews.com

Millennials; they're coming on strong. Keri René Fuller (interview) stars as Grizabella in CATS opening at Shea's, UB undergraduates are off to represent the United States in an international scenography competition in Prague, and McKinley High School/Buff State grad Janae' Leonard is on stage at the Paul Robeson Theatre as "Bessie" in NATIVE SON.

OPENING

BREAKFAST AT TIFFANY'S, play based on the novella by Truman Capote, adapted by Richard Greenberg, directed by Matthew LaChiusa, starring Candice Kogut and Ryan Kaminski. American Repertory Theatre, 545 Elmwood Avenue. Jan 31 to Feb 16th. Thu - Sat at 8 with one Sunday matinee Feb 10 at 2 (983-4345). www.artofwny.org

BRIDGE OF ROSES, world premiere musical by Giovanna Albani & Daniele Maugeri, directed by Neal Radice, starring Emily Yancey, Kim Piazza, Tim Goehrig, Daniel Keith Barone, Jeremy Catania, Amy Feder, Roger Griffiths, Andrew Zuccari, Meghan Cobham, Roger VanDette, Heather Reed, Caoimhe Krueger. Feb 7-Mar 2, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com

CATS, touring production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Feb 5-10, 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

LOVE LETTERS, play by A.R. Gurney, presented by O'Connell & Company, with a different cast each evening, Feb 1-Feb 24, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30 The Park School 4625 Harlem Rd. (848-0800) www.oconnellandcompany.com

TALES OF THE DRIVEN, play written & directed by Kurt Schneiderman, presented by Subversive Theatre, starring David Wysocki, Elliot Fox, Lawrence Roswell, Nigel Williams.  Jan 31-Feb 23, Thu-Sat at 7:30. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org

TALLEY’S FOLLY, play by Lanford Wilson presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Steve Vaughan, starring Anne Roaldi Boucher, Chris J. Handley. Feb 7-Mar 3, 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

ONGOING

THE ILLUSION, play by Tony Kushner adapted from Corneille’s  L'Illusion Comique, directed by John Hurley, starring Lisa Vitrano, Dave Hayes, Patrick Cameron, Cassie Cameron, Rolando Gomez, Sara Kow-Falcone, David Marciniak, Ray Boucher. Through  Feb 20, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org

NATIVE SON, play by Nambi E. Kelley, adapted from the novel by Richard Wright, directed by Paulette D. Harris, starring Alphonso Walker Jr., Augustus Donaldson Jr., Debbi Davis, Deborah A. Krygier. Through Feb 10, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org

SENSE & SENSIBILITY, play by Kate Hamill based on the novel by Jane Austen presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Kate LoConti, Josephine Hogan, Jenn Stafford, Anthony Alcocer, Renee Landrigan, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Ben Michael Moran, Brendan Didio, Brittany Bassett, David Lundy. Through Feb 20, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION, play by Agatha Christie presented by Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Les Bailey, starring Kunji Rey, Mike Breen, Mike Starzynski, Ryan Morgan, Paul Bene, Tim Bookhagen, Sarah Fratello, Randy Rumley. Through Feb 17, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3, plus Feb 16 at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 550 Road, Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com

CLOSING

SPAMALOT, musical by Eric Idle & John Du Prez, directed by Lynne Kurdziel Formato, starring Gregory Gjurich, Louis Colaiacovo, Dudney Joseph, Bobby Cooke, Steve Copps, Arin Lee Dandes, Michele Marie Roberts. Through Feb 3, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2, plus Jan 27 at 7.  Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com

UPCOMING

THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE, a world premiere stage adaptation of the film written by John Cassavetes, presented by Torn Space, directed by Dan Shanahan. Feb 15-Mar 9, Thu-Sat at 7:30, plus Mar 10 at 7:30. 612 Fillmore Ave. www.tornspacetheater.com

Listings adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice (www.Artvoice.com).

 

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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