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Theater Talk: Reading 'STAGEFRIGHT' then filling in the calendar...a reawakening

news.wbfo.org

After, what, 15 months, Javier Bustillos posted a STAGEFRIGHT column titled "the world slowly reawakens... "in Anthony's blog "TheaterTalkBuffalo.com," which led Peter to run out and buy a new big wall calendar. Fifteen months ago there might be a play or musical in every square on every single day (if you include the occasional reading on Monday) and some days had both a matinee and an evening performance in two different venues. Wow! We aren't there....yet. Yet, just filling in a few live items felt good.

While Javier's STAGEFRIGHT column is much juicier reading  full of gossip and photos, here are some of the venues, shows, dates, times, and contact information gleaned from his efforts:

Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre opened last night, directed by Jay Desiderio, with Neil Simon’s comedy, GOD'S FAVORITE starring Jimmy Janowski, Dave Marciniak, Lisa Hinca, Jeremy Kreuzer, Jacob Marciniak, Bekki Sliwa, and Mary Moebius. It runs through August 8th in Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd, in Cheektowaga. Call 395-3207.

The Irish Classical Theatre offers their final virtual event of this season IN PERFORMANCE AND COVERSATION - W.B. YEATS POEMS: WORDS & MUSIC with Yeats works read by Vincent O’Neill along with Irish music and song performed by Mary Ramsey. It streams starting tonight, June 4th with a virtual fundraiser and runs through June 27. For tickets and information go to irishclassical.com

BUFFALO QUICKIES is back at the Alleyway! It was virtual last year, but in 2021 it will be live again, with a twist. The 30th annual short play festival runs from June 17th  to July 10th and features five ten-minute world and regional premiere plays and one twenty-minute world premiere musical. Here's the twist: storefronts along Main Street will be transformed into performing stages each hosting a short play. The audience will watch from seats on the sidewalk and listen through headphones as the actors perform behind the storefront glass. Seating is limited so patrons are stronglyu advised to purchase tickets in advance at alleyway.com.

Shakespeare in Delaware Park is coming back this summer in a different format. A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK is a retelling of A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM while walking throughout the park with groups of 25 people guided by the character "Puck." Go to www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org

The Shakespeare company will also be presenting a touring show, SHAKESPEARE & LOVE, at 22 different spots around WNY. Capacity is limited. For reservations, go to the website www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org.

Road Less Traveled Productions is picking up where it left off with their hit show HAND TO GOD which was shut down in March 2020 because of the pandemic. It will re-open on November 4th. Visit www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org

Second Generation Theatre will present a fully digital production of Jason Robert Brown’s SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD filmed on location all over Buffalo, and streaming June 10th to the 27th. Go to www.secondgenerationtheatre.com

The ARTIE AWARDS will come back when all physical restrictions are removed from a full-capacity, full-on party to held at Shea's 710 Theatre.  It will be on a Monday, date TBA.

And, per Javier Bustillos, theater folk favorite hangout, Matinee, will re-open when live theater comes back.

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
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