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Arts & Culture

Theater Talk: Kavinoky in the news, "Bookie" skillfully adapted, MISS SAIGON for a new generation

Matthew Murphy

The Kavinoky Theatre, caught in the crossfire of Rudinplay versus Dramatic Publishing's dueling lawsuits, has had to cancel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD through no fault of their own. Meanwhile, THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE at Torn Space is getting great press for their innovative adaptation of the Cassavete's movie. And Shea's brings the emotional musical MISS SAIGON to a whole new generation.

OPENING

FROST/NIXON, play by Peter Morgan, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Brian Cavanagh, starring Jack Hunter, Adriano Gatto, Peter Palmisano, David Lundy, Matt Witten, Renee Landrigan, Adam Yellen, Ray Boucher, Jamie O’Neill. Mar 1-24, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

JULIUS CAESAR by William Shakespeare, presented by UB Department of Theatre & Dance, directed by Danielle Rosvally. Mar 1 & 2 at 7:30. UB Center for the Arts, Mainstage Theatre, North Campus (645-6897). theatredance.buffalo.edu

THE LIFE AND DEATH OF KING JOHN, adapted and directed by Lawrence Gregory
Smith. Mar 1-23, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org

ONGOING

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. Through Mar 9, Thu-Sat at 7:30, plus Mar 10 at 7:30. 612 Fillmore Ave. www.tornspacetheater.com

RAGTIME, musical by Ahrens, Flaherty & McNally, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Kyle Baran, Noah Bielecki, Brian Brown, George L. Brown, Taylor Carlson, Charmagne Chi, Adam Eckmair, Bennett Goldberg, Jake Hayes, Stevie Jackson, Dominique Kempf, Jon May, Ricky Needham, Lorenzo Shawn Parnell, Marc Sacco, Chrissy Vogric-Hunnell, Michael Wachowiak, Alexandria Watts. Through Mar 17, 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

CLOSING

MISS SAIGON, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Through Mar 3, 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

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

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

SAME TIME, NEXT YEAR, comedy by Bernard Slade presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Lisa Ludwig, Don Gervasi.  Feb 21-Apr 7, 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 ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS OF LEONARD PELKEY, one-man show by James Lecesne presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Todd Warfield, starring Jimmy Janowski. Mar 8-30, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239). www.buffalounitedartists.org

BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY, play by Stephen Adly Guirgis directed by Scott Behrend, starring Victoria Pérez, Dave Mitchell, Lisa Vitrano, John Vines, Alejandro Gomez, Melinda Capeles, Gabriel Roberé. Mar 8-31, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org

PRESENT LAUGHTER, comedy by Noel Coward presented by Aurora Players, directed by Monish Bhattacharyya, Mar 8-24, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. The Roycroft Pavilion, in Hamlin Park. South Grove St., East Aurora (687-6727). www.auroraplayers.org

THE WOLVES, play by Sarah DeLappe presented by Casting Hall Productions, directed by Lorna C. Hill. Mar 7-16, Thu-Sat at 8, plus Mar 16 at 2. Flexible Theatre, Savage Theater and Communication Building at Buffalo State College (878-3005).

Listings adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice 01/27/2019
 

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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