Today we observe the 50th anniversary of "The Stonewall Riots" in NYC which mark the modern era of Gay Rights with a "Triple Play" (pardon the pun) of LGBTQ themed theater: You can see THE SEAT NEXT TO THE KING and/or ON THE ROOF either tonight or tomorrow, and BUA TAKES 10: STONEWALL EDITION tonight through Sunday.
Meanwhile, Shakespeare in Delaware Park got off to a damp start, but has been enjoying a "full hill" of fans, and will continue (weather permitting) Tuesdays through Sundays through July 14th starting at 7:15 p.m. (note the new early start time for 2019) with a kinder, gentler Prospero in THE TEMPEST, starring nice guy Dave Marciniak as "Prospero."
A few seasons back Road Less Traveled Productions put on Lucas Hnath's (say "nayth") play THE CHRISTIANS about an evangenlical mega-church pastor who begins to preach that there is no such thing as hell. Just as it was an ideal vehicle for Road Less Traveled, which leans towards "theater for smart people" it should be perfect for the Chautauqua Theater Company, part of the Chautauqua Institution which has been called "summer camp for smart people" or "what NPR would look like if the radio came to life." The vaunted Chautauqua Choir will provide an authentic experience.
OPENING
THE CHRISTIANS, play by Lucas Hnath presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Taibi Magar, featuring the Chautauqua Choir. Jun 28-Jul 14. Bratton Theater, Chautauqua Institution (357-6437). https://chq.org/chautauqua-theater-company
ONGOING
THE TEMPEST by William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in Delaware Park, directed by Saul Elkin, starring David Marciniak, Christine Turturro, Robyn Lee Horn, Phil Wackerfuss, David Lundy, Brendan Cunningham, Brett Klaczyk. Brendan Didio, Tom Makar, Chris J. Handley, Norman Sham. Through Jul 14, Tue-Sun at 7:15, Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park (856-4533). www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org
CLOSING
BUA TAKES 10: STONEWALL EDITION, collection of one-act plays presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Jessica K. Rasp, starring Timothy Patrick Finnegan, Tim Goehrig, Adam Kluge, Melissa Leventhal, Matthew Rittler, A Peter Snodgrass, Andrew Zuccari. Through Jun 30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Alleyway Cabaret, 672 Main St. (886-9239) www.buffalounitedartists.org.
ENTERTAINING MR. SLOANE, play by Joe Orton presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Greg Natale, starring Kelli Bocock-Natale, Anthony J. Grande, Stan Klimecko, Gerry Maher. Through Jun 30, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.com
NINE, musical by Arthur Kopit and Maury Yeston presented by Second Generation Theatre, directed by Victoria Pérez, starring Ben Michael Moran, Aimee Walker, Arianne Davidow, Kelly Copps, Lisa Ludwig, Mary Gjurich, Sabrina Kahwaty, Nicole Cimato, Charmagne Chi, Leah Berst, Cassidy Kreuzer, Bethany Burrows, Jessie Miller, Anna Fernandez, Stevie Jackson, Julia Murphy, Max Goldhirsch. Through Jun 30, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (508-7480). www.secondgenerationtheatre.com
THE SEAT NEXT TO THE KING, play by Steven Elliot Jackson, directed by Todd Fuller, starring Robert Cooke, Xavier Harris. Through Jun 29, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
A TIME TO KILL, courtroom drama adapted for the stage by Rupert Holmes, presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Kinzy Brown, Peter Horn, Marc Ruffino, Sandra Gilliam, Larry Smith, Elizabeth Oddy, Bob Lohr, Jeremy Catania, Michael David O'Hear, Ronald Hicks, Kenneth Leman, Justin Chortie, Jacob Sauer, Nathanial Higgins.
Through Jun 30, 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
ON THE ROOF, play by Donna Hoke, presented by Post-Industrial Productions (PIP), Through Jun 29, Fri-Sat at 7:30. Trinity Episcopal Church, Christ Chapel, 371 Delaware Avenue to benefit both PIP and Gay and Lesbian Youth Services of Western New York.
AT THE SHAW FESTIVAL 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada 905-468-2172 / 1-800-511-7429
BRIGADOON, a musical, by Lerner and Loewe, at the Festival Theatre, through October 13
GETTING MARRIED, a comedy by George Bernard Shaw, at the Shaw's Royal George Theatre, through October 13.
ROPE, a thriller by Patrick Hamilton (after Hitchcock) at The Royal George Theatre, through October 12
THE HORSE AND HIS BOY, adapted from C.S. Lewis's Narnia books by Anna Chatterton, at the Festival Theatre, through June 26
THE LADYKILLERS, by Graham Linehan, at the Festival Theatre, through October 12
THE RUSSIAN PLAY, by Hannah Moscovitch, a "Lunchtime One-Act" at the Royal George Theatre, though October 12
Listings adapted from Javier Bustillos
