Once again, Drew Fornarola's "Starring Buffalo" assembled local stars (including Dudney Joseph, Jr. as "the plant"), Broadway stars, and students from Newfane, Fredonia, and Lockport, this time at Shea's 710, for LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS. Subversive Theatre's SHE KILLS MONSTERS continues with rave reviews. Expectations are high for TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD opening at the Kavinoky.
OPENING
(AARON SORKIN'S) TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD, play based on the novel by Harper Lee, adapted by Aaron Sorkin, directed by Kyle LoConti, starring Chris Avery, Aleks Malejs, Xavier Harris, Robyn Baun, Shantina Moore, Paul Maisano, Patrick Moltane, John Profeta, David Lundy, Michael Seitz, Jacob Albarella, Marie Costa, Mary McMahon, Ray Boucher, Kevin Kennedy, Peter Palmisano. Nov 8 -Dec 8, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com
COMPANY, musical by Stephen Sondheim presented by The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Fran Newton, starring Joe Fratello, Chris Andreana, Rachael Buchanan, John Parascak, Joanne Pera, Sydney Bucholtz, Madison Hanel, Erin Holmes, Dan Zerpa, Lucas Colon, Emily Plotkin, Tami Martel, Alexandra Montesano, Christopher Parada. Nov 8-24, plus Nov 23 at 3. Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 550 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com
THE DROWSY CHAPERONE, Broadway musical presented by Casting Hall Productions & Buffalo State Theater Department, directed by Carlos Jones. Nov 14-16, 21 & 22 at 8, Nov 23 at 2. Warren Enters Theatre, Upton Hall at Buffalo State College (878-3005).
ELF, THE MUSICAL by Martin, Beguelin & Slar, directed by Michael Walline, starring Melinda Capeles, Louis Colaiacovo, Adrienne Ricchiazzi Cummings, Chris Cummings, Rheanna Gallego, Chris J. Handley, Jake Hayes, Stevie Jackson, Johnny Kiener, Nicholas Lama, Bob Mazierski, Jennifer Mysliwy, Dan Urtz, Michael Wachowiak, Alexandria Watts. Nov 13-22, 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
MY LIFE IN THE BASEMENT, written and performed by John "Circ" Kane, directed by Joyce Stilson. Nov 8-16, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Cabaret, 672 Main St. (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
ONGOING
THE BOYS UPSTAIRS, comedy by Jason Mitchell presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Todd Fuller, starring Jonathan Beckner, Zachary Bellus, Jeremy Catania, Ricky Needham, Daniel Torres. Nov 1-23, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239) www.buffalounitedartists.org
INTERROGATION ROOM, play by Jon Elston, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Matt Witten, John Vines, Nick Stevens, Dave Tyrik. Through Nov 24, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
THE KINDNESS OF STRANGERS, play by Mark Humphrey presented by Navigation Theatre Company, starring Victor Morales, Suzie Hibbard, Monish Bhattacharyya, John F Kennedy, Timothy Costaglia. Through Nov 16, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 5. Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Ave. (697-0837).
OH MY GOD, play by Anat Gov presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Todd Benzin, Max Goldhirsch, Lisa Ludwig. Through Nov 17, 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
SHE KILLS MONSTERS, play by Qui Nguyen presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Emily Yancey, Jamie Nablo, Ryan Kaminski, Rick Lattimer, David Moran, Stefanie Warnick, Sofia Matlasz, Mara Westerling-Morris, Jaimee Harmon, Bekki Sliwa. Through Nov 16, Thu-Sat at 7:30. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org
THE TOXIC AVENGER, musical by Joe DiPietro & David Bryan, presented by Second Generation Theatre, directed by Doug Weyand, starring Steve Copps, Bethany Burrows, Jenn Stafford, Raphael A. Santos, Dylan Zalikowski. Through Nov 10, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2, plus Nov 3 at 7. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (508-7480). www.secondgenerationtheatre.com
CLOSING
BRIGHT STAR, musical by Edie Brickell & Steve Martin presented by Aurora Players, directed by Tom Durham. Through Nov 9, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. The Roycroft Pavilion, in Hamlin Park. South Grove St., East Aurora (687-6727). www.auroraplayers.org
ERMA BOMBECK: AT WIT’S END, one-woman show by Allison and Margaret Engel, directed by Mark Cuddy, starring Pam Sherman. Nov 5-10, Tue & Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s 710 Theatre, 710 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PRESCRIPTION MURDER: COLUMBO, play by William Link and Richard Levinson presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Jack Hunter, Dave Marciniak, Lisa Hinca, Laura Barriere, Nathanial Higgins, Rhonda Parker. Through Dec 15, Thu & Sat, dinner at 6, show at 7:30; Sun, dinner at 1, show at 2:30. Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga (395-3207). www.mybobbyjs.com
UPCOMING
GUYS & DOLLS, Broadway musical presented by UB Department of Theatre & Dance, directed by Keith Andrews. Nov 15-24, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Black Box Theatre, UB Center for the Arts, North Campus (645-6897) www.theatredance.buffalo.edu
JERSEY BOYS, touring production of the Broadway musical. Nov 15-17, 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
OUT OF TOWN
AT THE SHAW FESTIVAL 10 Queen’s Parade, Niagara-on-the-Lake, ON, Canada 905-468-2172 / 1-800-511-7429 (a 1-hour drive from downtown Buffalo) Rehearsals continue for HOLIDAY INN (November 16 - December 22) and A CHRISTMAS CAROL (November 13 - December 22)
AT THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL, Stratford, ON www.stratfordfestival.ca 1-800-567-1600 (Stratford, Ontario is about a 2-1/2 hour drive from downtown Buffalo)
BILLY ELLIOT THE MUSICAL by Lee Hall and Elton John extended through November 10 at the Festival Theatre
Listings adapted from Javier Bustillos
