This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter look back on some notable passings for 2025. These include Saul Elkin (founder of both the Jewish Repertory Theater and Shakespeare in Delaware Park) and Vincent O'Neill (founder of the Irish Classical Theatre), both teachers who left behind a legacy of many, many local actors. Also, playwright Kathy Betsko Yale, actors Christopher Standart, and, tragically, Hugh Davis and Mickey Harmon (actor and activist). Also, Anthony went to NYC to the James Earl Jones Theatre to see LIBERATION by Bess Wohl (up through Feb 1). There's only one show up in Buffalo this early January, Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing into January at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.
Check out all of Anthony's reviews and the latest edition of Javier's "Theater Dish." Peter's reviews appear in Buffalo Rising (buffalorising.com).
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LOCAL LISTINGS ARE PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS: CLOSINGS (last chances to see these shows!), followed by OPENINGS, then CONTINUING, then OPENINGS NEXT WEEK or NEXT MONTH. Within the categories, shows are alphabetical by title, with any show starting with "The" under the letter "T."
CLOSINGS: none
OPENINGS: nonw
CONTINUING INTO 2026:
BLACK COMEDY, a comedy/farce by Peter Shaffer (author of Amadeus), directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Jeremy Kreuzer, Justyne Harris, Lisa Hinca, John Profeta, Ian Michalski, Jennifer Toomey Starr, and Ashton DeCaro. Through Jan 11, 2026, presented by Desiderio's Dinner Theatre at Bobby J's, 204 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga, NY 14227 (716) 395-3207 mybobbyjs.com/dinner-theatre
BLACK COMEDY PUBLICITY BLURB: The premise of the piece is that light and dark are transposed, so when the stage is lit, the cast is supposed to be in darkness, and when the stage is dimmed or darkened, the cast can see each other and their surroundings. Lovesick and desperate, sculptor Brinsley Miller has borrowed some expensive antique furniture and priceless artwork from his absent high-strung neighbor (without his permission) to impress his fiancée's pompous father. However, when a blackout occurs, plunging the apartment into darkness, anything that can go wrong will go wrong.
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SELECT OPENINGS JANUARY, 2026:
MAMMA MIA! Music and lyrics by ABBA's Benny Andersson and Bjorn Ulvaeus (and some songs with Stig Anderson), directed by Lisa Ludwig, starring Michele Marie Roberts, Kelly Copps, and Broadway’s Bethany Moore. 1/15 - 2/1 Thu - Fri 7:30, Sat 2:00 & 8:00, Sun 2:00. Produced by Second Generation Theatre and Shea’s Performing Arts Center, on stage at Shea's 710 Theatre, 710 Main Street (corner Tupper) 716-847-0850, sheas.org/performances/mamma-mia/
MAMMA MIA! PUBLICITY BLURB: On the eve of her wedding, a daughter’s quest to discover the identity of her father brings three men from her mother’s past back to the island they last visited 20 years ago. With non-stop laughs and high-energy dance numbers, ABBA’s smash hit jukebox musical, MAMMA MIA! is the perfect escape from Buffalo winter.
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PRESERVATION, a new play by Deborah Yarchun (author of THE ALEPH COMPLEX), directed by Lara D. Haberberger, starring Sarah Emmerling, Rick Lattimer and Lanie Shannon. 1/16 - 2/7, produced by First Look Buffalo at the Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center, 705 Renaissance Dr., Williamsville NY 14221 (off of Youngs Rd between Maple and Klein). 716-771-6358 FirstLookBuffalo.com
PRESERVATION PUBLICITY BLURB: In a small town, in an archival library, there’s a vault. Inside the vault, there’s a box. Stella, Lydia’s dying grandmother, has convinced her that inside the box is a buried family secret that could alter their lives. But the library's founder funded it on the condition that the box never be opened. Lydia and Stella need vindication. Stan, the library’s archivist, needs to protect the library and the founder’s integrity at all costs. Lydia isn’t going away. And Stan isn’t backing down. Preservation is a dark comedic drama that explores what happens when protecting the dead comes at the cost of the living.
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RENT, the musical by Jonathan Larson, starring Sean Ryan (Mark), Destinie Morales (Mimi), Jetaun Louie (Joanne), Ryan Adam Norton (Roger), Hope Shaw (Maureen), et. al. 1/16 - 1/25 Fri 7:30, Sat 2:00 & 7:30, Sun 3:00. Produced by Curtain Up Productions on the Historic Palace Theatre stage, 2 East Ave. Lockport, NY 14094 (716) 438.1130 lockportpalacetheatre.org/curtain-up-productions/
RENT PUBLICITY BLURB: RENT is a musical loosely based on Puccini’s opera “La Bohème”, set in 1980s/90s New York City. It tells the story of a group of struggling young artists dealing with poverty, AIDS, love, loss, and the pursuit of their dreams. The musical explores the lives of characters like Roger, a musician struggling with HIV/AIDS, and Mimi, an S&M dancer also dealing with the virus. Other characters include Mark, an aspiring filmmaker, Maureen, a performance artist, and Joanne, her girlfriend. The story centers on their individual struggles and relationships amid the AIDS epidemic and the East Village's bohemian culture.
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SHREK, THE MUSICAL, based on the DreamWorks Animation Motion Picture and the book by William Steig, book and lyrics by David Lindsay-Abaire, music by Jeanine Tesori. 1/15 - 1/25 Thu-Fri-Sat 7:30, Sat 1/24 & Sun 1/25 both at 2:00. Produced by O'Connell & Company at Shea's Smith Theatre, Box Office: 716-848-0800, oconnellandcompany.com
SHREK PUBLICITY BLURB: "Once upon a time, there was a little ogre named Shrek...." And thus begins the tale of an unlikely hero who finds himself on a life-changing journey alongside a wisecracking Donkey and a feisty princess who resists her rescue. Throw in a short-tempered bad guy, a cookie with an attitude, and over a dozen other fairy tale misfits, and you've got the kind of mess that calls for a real hero. Luckily, there's one on hand... and his name is Shrek.
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THE LITTLE PRINCE by Rick Cummins and John Scoullar, based on the book by Antoine de Saint-Exupery. 1/31 - 2/8 (only six performances) Sat 2:00 & 4:30, Sun 2:00. Runtime 90 minutes, produced by the Kenan Center's Taylor Theatre, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY 716-433-2617 www.kenancenter.org/
THE LITTLE PRINCE PUBLICITY BLURB: This adaptation of the beloved book tells the story of a world-weary and disenchanted Aviator whose sputtering plane strands him in the Sahara Desert, and a mysterious, regal "little man." During their two weeks together in the desert, the Little Prince tells the Aviator about his adventures through the galaxy and about his strained relationship with a very special flower on his own tiny planet. Through each interaction, the Aviator comes closer to understanding the Little Prince’s maxim: "It is only with the heart that one can see rightly… What is essential is invisible to the eye." A touching story for young and old that empowers the voice of young people: a perspective of untethered creativity.
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SHEA'S BUFFALO 2025-2026 Five Star Bank Broadway shows presented at Shea's Buffalo Theatre 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 847-0850 sheas.org include:
KIMBERLY AKIMBO, March 17-22, 2026
A darkly comic and deeply compassionate musical about a New Jersey teenager aging at an impossible rate. As Kimberly navigates a chaotic family, unexpected friendships, and the urgency of limited time, the show blends humor and heartbreak into a luminous portrait of resilience, hope, and the fierce desire to live fully
WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, April 14-19, 2026
A young runaway joins a Depression‑era circus, finding love, danger, and belonging as performers and animals unite in a sweeping tale of survival, spectacle, and chosen family.
SUFFS, June 2-7-2026s
A vibrant retelling of the American women’s suffrage movement, following determined activists balancing strategy, conflict, and sacrifice as they fight for voting rights and reshape the nation’s future.
The Five Star Bank 2025-26 Broadway Season is presented by Shea’s Performing Arts Center and Albert Nocciolino, and is sponsored locally by Five Star Bank, The Buffalo News, and WKBW-TV.
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Copied from https://www.theatertalkbuffalo.com/post/2025-artie-award-winners
34th Annual Artie Awards
Sponsored by Buffalo Toronto Public Media
Presented June 9, 2025 at Asbury Hall, Buffalo, New York
Hosted by Anthony Chase, Curtis Lovell, and Amy Jakiel with Music Director Philip Farugia
2025 Artie Awards Winners
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY
Dorian, Irish Classical Theatre Company
OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL
Waitress, MusicalFare Theatre
EMANUEL FRIED AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING NEW PLAY
Matthew LaChiusa, The Informer
OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY
David Lundy, Remember This
OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Tracie Lane, Scenes from A Marriage
OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Vanna Deux, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Maria Pedro, Waitress
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY
Gerald Ramsey, The African Company Presents Richard III
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY
Rebecca Elkin, The Loved Ones
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL
Kristopher Bartolomeo, Hedwig and the Angry Inch
OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL
Kelly Copps, The Producers
OUTSTANDING FEATURED PERFORMANCE
Caitlin Coleman, The Hung Man
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY
Mason Beggs, Dorian
OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL
Susan Drozd, Waitress
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY
The Hobbit, Theatre of Youth
OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL
Into the Woods, O'Connell & Company
OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY
Eric Deeb Weaver, Newsies
OUTSTANDING MUSIC DIRECTION
Bridget Moriarty, The Fitzgeralds of Saint Paul
OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN
Dyan Burlingame, Shipwrecked!
OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN
Ann R. Emo, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ELEMENT
Emma Schimminger, Lighting, The Murder of Roger Ackroyd
CAREER ACHIEVEMENT AWARD
Eileen Dugan
SPECIAL APPRECIATION AWARD
Buffalo Toronto Public Media
KATHARINE CORNELL AWARDS – honoring the work of visiting artists
Christie Baugher; composer, lyricist, and playwright; The Fitzgeralds of Saint Paul, Irish Classical Theatre Company
Derrian Brown, actor, William Barfee, 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Second Generation Theatre
Kevin Zak, playwright, Kidman Carol, Alleyway Theatre
