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Theater Talk: FROST/NIXON at Irish Classical and many more A-listers up and down Main

Gene Witkowski

The Buffalo theater season is cyclic and right now in a boom time we're bullish on so many A-list plays using our best Buffalo actors, directors, and behind the scenes efforts (such as the Drozd sisters' costumes, make-up, and hair for FROST/NIXON). Arranging your calendar to see as many shows as possible can be a bit like playing the game of TETRIS, but should be worth the effort.

OPENING

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

ANGELS IN AMERICA: PART ONE, MILLENNIUM APPROACHES, play by Tony Kushner presented by Second Generation Theatre, directed by Greg Natale, starring Jacob Albarella, Kristin Bentley, Steve Copps, Anthony J. Grande, Dudney Joseph Jr., Kristen Tripp Kelley, Mary McMahon, Ben Michael Moran, David Oliver. Mar 8-24, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (508-7480). www.secondgenerationtheatre.com

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).

ONGOING

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. Through Mar 24, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

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

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

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 10, Thu-Sun at 7:30.  Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave. (812-1733). www.tornspacetheater.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.  Through 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

RENT, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Mar 26-31, 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

Listings adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice 03/06/2019
 

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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