A dozen different shows now into February give present a wide variety of genres, from exposing our hidden motivations in THE ANASTASIA TRIALS, THE ANTIPODES, and JUMP to "detective shows" MISS NELSON IS MISSING or THE MOUSETRAP to plays that portend violence such as COPS AND FRIENDS OF COPS, FACTORY FOR MURDERERS, and MERCURY FUR.
OPENING
MISS NELSON IS MISSING, play by Joan Cushing; based on the books by Harry Allard, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Jacob Albarella, Mike Benoit, Sabrina Kahwaty, Lily Jones, Christine Seshie, Dan Torres. Jan 25-Feb 9, Sat & Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400). www.theatreofyouth.org
THE MOUSETRAP, mystery by Agatha Christie, directed by Nathan Andrew Miller, starring Monish Bhattacharyya, Anne Roaldi Boucher, Jackson DiGiacomo, Jaimee Harmon, Nathanial Higgins, Susan King, David Mitchell, Matthew Rittler. Jan 24-Feb 9, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776). www.LancOpera.org
NUNSENSE A-MEN!, musical by Dan Goggin presented by O'Connell & Company, directed by Mary Kate O’Connell, starring Michael Starzynski, Jake Hayes, Nick Lama, Daniel Lendzian, Joey Bucheker Jan 24-Feb 2, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 654 Main St. (847-1410). www.oconnellandcompany.com
ON A FIRST NAME BASIS, comedy by Norm Foster presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Eileen Dugan, Russ Papia. Jan 23-Mar 22. 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
ONGOING
THE ANASTASIA TRIALS IN THE COURT OF WOMEN, courtroom drama by Carolyn Gage presented by The Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara D. Haberberger, starring Jennifer Arroyo, Heather Fangsrud, Jessie Miller, Jamie Nablo, Caroline Parzy-Sanders, Emily Pici, Kathleen Rooney, Stefanie Warnick, Priscilla Young-Anker. Through Feb 1, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Feb 2 at 2. Alleyway’s Cabaret, 672 Main St. (598-1585).
THE ANTIPODES, play by Annie Baker, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Sean Cullen, Cassie Cameron, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Greg Howze, John Hurley, David Marciniak, Ricky Needham, Dave Hayes, Adam Yellen. Through Feb 9, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
THE BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, musical by Jason Robert Brown and Marsha Norman, directed by Loraine O’Donnell, starring Michele Marie Roberts, Steve Copps, Christopher Guilmet, Ian Hayes, Arin Dandes, Robert Cooke, Ben Moran, Karen Harty, Kelly Copps, Laryssa Petryshyn, Pamela Rose Mangus, Paul Maisano. Through Feb 2, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com
COPS AND FRIENDS OF COPS, play by Ron Klier presented by First Look Buffalo, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Tony Grande, Dan Morris, John Patrick Patti, Shakora Purks, Bob Rusch. Through Feb 1, Thu-Sat at 8. Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Ave. (800-838-3006). www.FirstLookBuffalo.com
FACTORY FOR MURDERERS, play by Scott McCrea, directed by Neal Radice, starring James Cichocki, Trevor Dugan, Sandra Roberts, Emily Yancey, Madeline E. Allard, Bob Bozek, Emily Lotocki, Nolan Miles, Amy Rochford. Through Feb 18, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
JUMP, play by Charly Evon Simpson directed by Paulette D. Harris, starring Marcus Thompson Jr., Aqueira Oshun, Andy Finley, Dayane Araujo. Through Feb 9, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave.(884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org
MERCURY FUR, play by Philip Ridley, presented by Subversive Theatre Collective, directed by Mike Doben, starring Matthew B. Cullen, Zach Thomas, Lucas Colon, Helen Rose, Jeremy Catania, Zach Bellus, Justyne Harris, Vinnie DeStefano. Through Feb 8, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org
UPCOMING
DEATH OF A SALESMAN, play by Arthur Miller presented by The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Dawn Marcolini Newton, starring Kunji Rey, M. Joseph Fratello, Ryan Morgan, Chuck Slisz, Eric Bloom. Jan 31-Feb 16, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3, plus Feb 15 at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 550 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com
Listings courtesy of Javier Bustillos
