This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about two shows with strong LGBTQ content: THE PROM at MusicaFare which opened on 9/4, and MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA, a two-hander from BUA at the Compass Performing Art Space (545 Elmwood) which opens tonight. Niagara on the Lake Ontario's Shaw Festival continues well into the fall, with many of their popular plays at the Festival including SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART and a completely wonderful play at the Jackie Maxwell Studio theater called THE HOUSE THAT WILL NOT STAND about a well-to-do black family in New Orleans facing the threat that once Louisiana is part of the U.S., then slavery will be legal.
Most plays at Shawfest run up to Canadian Thanksgiving (that is, through October 13) but MY FAIR LADY and A CHRISTMAS CAROL will run through December 22. In Buffalo, Curtain Up! (the beginning of the theater season) has many shows opening at 7:30 on Friday September 13, but remember that Anthony will have his star installed on Monday, September 9, on the "Plaza of the Stars" (Main at Tupper in the "Theatre District") emceed by Stephen McKinley Henderson starting at 5:30 pm.
Check out Anthony's reviews and the latest edition of Javier's "On the Boards" at theatertalkbuffalo.com for more details!
Peter's reviews appear in Buffalo Rising (buffalorising.com).
COVID and the flu are still affecting theatrical performers (and audiences!) so it's worth getting the latest COVID booster readily available at pharmacies everywhere. Did you know that, for your convenience, you can get your COVID booster AND your flu shot simultaneously, and if your age qualifies, you can also get your RSV vaccine with those other two. After Anthony told Peter that he "doubled up" then Peter "tripled up" and you can too!
LOCAL LISTINGS ARE PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS: CLOSINGS (last chances to see these plays), then OPENINGS, followed by CONTINUING, followed by COMING IN SEPTEMBER. Within the categories, shows are alphabetical by title, with any show starting with "The" under the letter "T."
CLOSING: (one this weekend)
DON’T DRINK THE WATER, a comedy/farce by Woody Allen (Allen’s First Broadway Hit), directed by Jay Desiderio, presented by Desiderio Dinner Theatre at Bobby J's, starring Robert Insana, Lisa Hinca, Sarah Emmerling, David Lundy, Nate Chateaux, Joel Weiss, Brendan Cunningham, Ian Michalski, Geno Delmaro, Mary Moebius and Don Williams. Jul 20 - Sep 7: Shows run most Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays, and some Wednesdays. Dinner 6pm show at 7:30pm Matinees dinner 1 pm show at 2:30 at 204 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga NY. 14227. Info/reservations call (716) 395-3207
DON’T DRINK THE WATER PUBLICITY BLURB: A cascade of comedy and a solid hit on Broadway in 1966, this crazy Woody Allen comedy/farce takes place in an unnamed country somewhere behind the Iron Curtain. It is the story of an American tourist, his wife and daughter who rush into the U.S. embassy two steps ahead of the secret police who suspect them of spying and taking pictures in an unauthorized area. To stay out of jail, the Hollanders take refuge in the American Embassy, which is temporarily being run by the absent ambassador's diplomatically incompetent son. The plot thickens as they carefully and frantically plan their escape. The ambassador’s son and the Hollander’s daughter even have time to fall in love.
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OPENINGS: (three this week)
MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA, a play by Christian St. Croix, directed by Mike Doben, presented by Buffalo United Artists (BUA), starring P.K. Fortson and Ayden Herreid, 9/6-28, Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 5:00 at the Compass Performing Arts Center, 545 Elmwood Avenue. 716-440-5521 buffalounitedartists.org/tickets/
MONSTERS OF THE AMERICAN CINEMA PUBLICITY BLURB: When his husband passes away, Remy Washington, a Black man, unexpectedly becomes the owner of a drive-in movie theater and the guardian of his late husband’s straight, white teenage son, Pup. Bound by their shared love for classic American monster movies, they form a warm and caring bond. Their relationship unravels when Remy learns that Pup and his friends have been bullying a gay classmate. Through intertwining monologues and sharp dialogue, “Monsters of the American Cinema” by Christian St. Croix, explores fathers and sons, the ghosts of our pasts, and the monsters we face within ourselves.
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THE PROM, a musical by Chad Beguelin and Matthew Sklar, directed by Doug Weyand, presented by MusicalFare, 9/4 - 10/6, Wed - Thu 7:00, Fri 7:30, Sat 3:30 and 7:30, Sun 2:00 at MusicalFare Theatre, c/oDaemen College, 4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226, 716- 839-8540 musicalfare.com
THE PROM PUBLICITY BLURB: Five incredibly narcissistic Broadway actors, lamenting their days of fame, travel to a small town in Indiana to "help" a student banned from bringing her girlfriend to the prom. They’re ready to put a spotlight on the issue...and themselves...and kick-ball-change the world!
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WIPEOUT, a play by Aurora Real de Asua, directed by Josie DiVincenzo, presented by The Alleyway Theatre, Previews (9/6 - 9/10) begin tonight with the official opening 9/11. WIPEOUT runs through 9/28, presented on a variety of evenings, all at 7:30 pm (except one matinee, 9/21 at 3:30) (visit alleyway.com/show/wipeout for details).
WIPEOUT PUBLICITY BLURB: For fans of Grace & Frankie, Beaches, Laverne & Shirley, Thelma & Louise. Claudia, Wynn, and Gary are three best friends, celebrating their golden years with the ultimate challenge: learning to surf in Santa Cruz. Trading their comfort zones for surfboards, the three friends navigate the choppy waters of their changing relationships and identities, balancing on both the literal and metaphorical tides of life. The sun-soaked breakers are no match for these three as they learn to master the waves while confronting the complexity of aging and friendship and embracing the courage to hang ten on new beginnings.
Dive into this bitingly funny and profoundly moving new surf comedy that proves adventure has no age limit … all on surfboards. Did we mention lessons are provided by a young hotrod surf instructor?
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CURTAIN UP! OPENINGS ALPHABETICALLY (NOTE: CURTAIN UP! SHOWS BEGIN AT 7:30pm, NOT 8:00 THIS YEAR!)
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS, a play by Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Jorge Luna as Dracula, with Mike Donovan, Charmagne Chi, Keelie A. Sheridan, and Daniel Lendzian. 9/13 - 9/29 Thu - Sat 7:30, Matinees Sat - Sun at 2:00, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, 625 Main Street
716-853-1380 irishclassicalcom/Dracula
DRACULA PUBLICITY BLURB: A laugh-out-loud sendup of a Gothic classic. Step into the shadows with our electrifying Curtain Up! show as we unleash the uproarious mayhem of Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors by the ingenious minds of Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen. Fresh from its smash-hit off-Broadway reign at New World Stages in NYC, this wickedly offbeat comedy is descending upon Buffalo for the first time, igniting the stage with its irreverent charm.
From the English countryside to Dracula's castle in Transylvania in the 1980s, this 90-minute romp of gender-bending, lightning-paced hilarity breathes new life into the timeless gothic tale by one of Ireland’s most famous exports- Bram Stoker. Packed with razor-sharp wit and a riotous parade of pop culture nods, this reimagining promises to leave audiences of all blood types howling with laughter.
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NEWSIES, a musical, by Alan Menken, lyrics by Jack Feldman, book by Harvey Fierstein. directed & choreographed by Eric Deeb-Weaver with
musical direction by Allan Paglia. 9/12 - 9/29 Thu - Fri 7:30, Sat 8:00, Sun 2:00, produced by D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre ON STAGE AT SHEA'S 710 THEATRE, 710 Main (at Tupper) 716-847-0850 sheas.org/performances/disneys-newsies/
NEWSIES PUBLICITY BLURB: They delivered the papers until they made the headlines… NEWSIES, the smash-hit, crowd-pleasing musical from Disney is coming to Shea’s 710 Theatre. A two-time Tony Award-winning show, They delivered the papers, until they made the headlines.Based on true events, NEWSIES tells the captivating story of a band of underdogs who become unlikely heroes when they stand up to the most powerful men in New York. It’s a rousing tale about fighting for what’s right... and staying true to who you are. NEWSIES was brought to the stage by an award-winning creative team. It features a score by Alan Menken (Beauty and the Beast) and Jack Feldman (The Lion King II: Simba’s Pride) and a book by Harvey Fierstein (La Cage aux Folles).
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SHIPWRECKED: An Entertainment—The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself), a play by Donald Margulies, directed by John Hurley, starring Gregory Gjurich, Jeremy Kreuzer, and Gabriella McKinley. 9/13 - 10/13 Thu - Sat 7:30, Sun 2:00 presented by Road Less Traveled Productions, 456 Main Street 716-629-3069 roadlesstraveledprductions.org
SHIPWRECKED PUBLICITY BLURB: The adventurous Louis de Rougemont invites you to hear his amazing story of bravery, survival and celebrity that left nineteenth-century England spellbound. Dare to be whisked away in a story of the high seas, populated by exotic islanders, flying wombats, giant sea turtles and a monstrous man-eating octopus. Shipwrecked! examines how far we’re willing to blur the line between fact and fiction in order to leave our mark on the world.
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THE AFRICAN COMPANY PRESENTS RICHARD THE III, a play by Carlyle Brown, directed by Curtis Lovell. 9/13-9/29 Fri-Sat 7:30, Sun 4:00, presented by Ujima Theatre Co. 429 Plymouth Ave.716-281-0092 ujimacoinc.org
THE AFRICAN COMPANY PRESENTS RICHARD THE III PUBLICITY BLURB, written by Carlyle Brown and directed by Curtis Lovell. Based on true events, this play tells the story of the first Black theatrical troupe in America putting on a production of Richard III, while white uptown producer, Stephen Price, threatened by the competition, sets about shutting them down at all costs. The African Company Presents Richard III carries a timeless message on the challenge of negotiating racial consciousness in theater that still resonates today.
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TEA PARTY, play by Sean Abley, directed by Lara D. Haberberger, presented by First Look Buffalo (on the TOY stage), starring Andrew Zuccari, Bob Rusch, Kaylie Horowitz, and John DellaContrada. 9/13 - 10/5 Thu - Sat 7:30. At the Allendale Theatre (Theatre of Youth) - 203 Allen St, Buffalo, NY 14201. (716) 771-6358 FirstLookBuffalo.com
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StarKid’s TWISTED: THE UNTOLD STORY OF A ROYAL VIZIER, music by A.J. Holmes, Lyrics by Kaley McMahon, Book by Matt Lang, Nick Lang, & Eric Kahn Gale, Directed by Drew McCabe, Choreography by Timmy Goodman, Musical Direction by Joe Isgar, presented by O’Connell & Company starring Nicholas Lama, Amanda Funiciello, David Wysocki, Samantha Campbell, and Michael Wells. 9/13-9/22. Opening Fri 9/13. Thu-Sun 7:30, Sat 9/21 matinee at 2:00pm, with all shows at Shea’s Smith Theatre 658 Main St. Buffalo 14202 716-847-0850 oconnellandcompany.com sheas.org
TWISTED: THE UNTOLD STORY OF A ROYAL VIZIER Publicity Blurb:
There are two sides to every story...and in this hilarious musical parody we finally get to see the story of Aladdin from the villains point of view - and boy is it a whole new world! Told in a similar style to 'Wicked', this twisted version of the childhood classic reveals Ja'far is actually a hardworking and honest man who only wants to help the people of the Magic Kingdom. When the spoiled and naive Princess angers the prince of the Kingdom of Pik-zar, Ja'far must protect his people from the invading army, the kingdom’s own bumbling Sultan and the most notorious thief in the land, Aladdin! This musical adventure celebrates and lovingly pokes fun at everyone's favorite series of hand-drawn, animated films.
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SHEA'S BUFFALO 2024 - 2025 season
SOME LIKE IT HOT (8 shows), Sep 24 - 29
HAMILTON (16 shows), Oct 15 - 27
& JULIET (8 shows), Nov 19 - 24
THE LION KING (24 shows), Dec 18, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025
THE WIZ (8 shows), Mar 4 - 9, 2025
SHUCKED (8 shows), Mar 25 - 30, 2025
A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL (8 shows), Apr 8 - 13, 2025
BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL (8 shows), Jun 24 - 29, 2025
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