This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about PERICLES at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, a fun 2 hours picnic with music by Tom Makar. Then, a bit about Canada's Stratford Festival and Niagara-on-the-Lake's Shaw Festival with a reminder that July 8th is the deadine to reserve your seat for Anthony's September 10th bus trip with BTPM to see FUNNY GIRL at Shawfest - the bus trip, the show, and the dinner. Visit btpm.org/events/travel-club. Scroll down to see the local (Buffalo area) listings and then the Shaw Festival listings and then the Stratford Festival listings.
For in-depth reviews, check out Anthony's blog theatertalkbuffalo.com. Peter's reviews appear in Buffalo Rising Buffalorising.com).
And remember: when getting tickets for any venue, please start with the producing company's own website, but especially for the three Shea's venues, go through Shea's box office, the producing company, or Ticketmaster. But DO NOT buy tickets from any other third-party vendor unless re-directed there by the producing company's own website. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.
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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: None
CONTINUING:
PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE, a play by Shakespeare, directed by Scott McKenna Campbell, starring Sean Patrick Ryan as Pericles, with John Profeta, Lauren Farrow, Heather Casseri, Vernia Garvin, Marie Hasselback-Costa, et. al. 6/18 - 7/12 Every night at 7:00 pm except Mondays on the Saul Elkin Stage on "Shakespeare Hill" near the rose garden and Terrace restaurant. If you enter from Rumsey Road, there is a (free) golf cart shuttle ride to the hill.
Note (1): THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, directed by Brendan Didio, will run July 23, 2026 through August 16, 2026.
Note (2): The "FOOLS AND FOES TOURING PRODUCTION" directed by Nathanial Higgins, will be in local parks on nights when the mainstage productions are "dark" (see separate FOOLS AND FOES listing.
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FOOLS AND FOES, the touring production of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, directed by Nathaniel Higgins, starring Paige Cummings, Cody Gooley, Camille Keeves, Devin Klumpp, Sue McCormack, and Julianna Tracey. 6/10 - 8/24 All performances at 7:00 pm. All performances are free and open to the public. Touring dates and locations can be found at shakespeareindelawarepark.org. The next several shows are: June 29th – Grand Island Nike Base (3278 Whitehaven Rd, Grand Island, NY 14072), July 13th – Galanti Park, Lackawanna (230 Martin Rd, Lackawanna, NY 14218), July 14th – Heritage Park (65 Franklin Street, Springville, NY 14141), July 15th – Friends of Knox Farm (345 Buffalo Rd, East Aurora, NY 14052 (for that show use entrance at iron gate then make first left to parking field near stables).)
FOOLS AND FOES PUBLICITY BLURB: Shakespeare in Delaware Park (SDP) kicks off its 51st season with its touring production, FOOLS AND FOES, a fast-paced, family-friendly show featuring Shakespeare's most memorable clowns, tricksters, heroes, and villains. The touring production will travel to locations throughout Western New York this summer, bringing free professional theatre directly to communities across the region. One of the highlights of the tour will be a special performance at Sahlen Field on August 24, bringing the Bard to the ballpark for a unique evening of Shakespeare in downtown Buffalo. Note: the free mainstage productions on the Saul Elkin Stage in Delaware Park will be PERICLES, PRINCE OF TYRE 6/18 - 7/12 (the first time ever for SDP) and THE TAMING OF THE SHREW 7/23 - 8/16. Mainstage performances are Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:00 p.m. All performances are free and open to the public.
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YALLA BITCH, play by Lorna C. Hill, directed by Tioga Simpson, 6/19 - 7/12, some paid, some free performances as follows:
Free Performances:
July 6th, 6PM @ The Saul Elkin Stage at Shakespeare in Delaware Park
July 11th, 6PM @ Freedom Park
July 12th, 6PM @ Gail V Wells Memorial Food Forest
And there is one paid Performance remaining ($40 General, $30 Seniors, $20 Veterans & Students) on July 10th, 6PM @ Penn Dixie Fossil Park
Box Office: 716-322-5178 website: ujimacoinc.org
YALLA BITCH PUBLICITY BLURB:
Closing the Ujima season is YALLA BITCH by Ujima’s founder, Lorna C. Hill. This bold and provocative play is an exploration of power, agency, and the voices of Black women, and of Lorna C. Hill's life from her days as a foundling left on "Miss Ruby's" doorstep. YALLA BITCH will be touring this production marking the first time in many years that the company has taken a show on the road, part of a commitment to sharing impactful stories with a wider audience beyond Buffalo. And so this special run of YALLA BITCH will be performed in gardens across the Buffalo area.
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THE SHAW FESTIVAL OFFERINGS THIS 2026 ARE:
April
SLEUTH — Court House Theatre Opens Apr 2 • Closes Oct 9
FUNNY GIRL — Festival Theatre Opens Apr 24 • Closes Oct 3
May
JEEVES & WOOSTER IN PERFECT NONSENSE — Court House Theatre Opens May 8 • Closes Oct 10
THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS — Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre Opens May 22 • Closes Sep 27
ONE FOR THE POT — Festival Theatre Opens May 27 • Closes Oct 11
June
HEARTBREAK HOUSE — Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre Opens Jun 20 • Closes Oct 3
July
AMADEUS — Festival Theatre Opens Jul 8 • Closes Oct 4
OHIO STATE MURDERS — Jackie Maxwell Studio Theatre Opens Jul 19 • Closes Oct 3
August
A NEW WORK IN PROGRESS — Court House Theatre Opens Aug 1 • Closes Sep 5
Holiday season 2026 opens in November
A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD — Court House Theatre Opens Nov 13 • Runs through December
RODGERS & HAMMERSTEIN’S CINDERELLA — Festival Theatre (Holiday Stage) Opens Nov 20 • Runs through December
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THE STRATFORD FESTIVAL OFFERINGS THIS YEAR ARE:
Festival Theatre
THE TEMPEST OPENS Apr 21 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
GUYS AND DOLLS Opens Apr 22 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
SOMETHING ROTTEN! Opens Apr 23 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
Avon Theatre
WAITING FOR GODOT Opens Apr 24 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
DEATH OF A SALESMAN Opens Apr 25 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
THE HOBBIT Opens Apr 26 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
Tom Patterson Theatre
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST Opens Apr 27 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
SATURDAY, SUNDAY, MONDAY Opens Apr 28 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM Opens Apr 29 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
Studio Theatre
OTHELLO Opens Apr 30 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
THE TAO OF THE WORLD Opens May 1 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
THE KING JAMES BIBLE PLAY Opens May 2 • Closes Nov 1, 2026
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SHEA'S BUFFALO 2026-2027 Five Star Bank Broadway shows presented at Shea's Buffalo Theatre 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 (716) 847-0850 sheas.org will include ...
Buena Vista Social Club™ — September 12–19, 2026
Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen — October 27 – November 1, 2026
The Great Gatsby — November 10–15, 2026
The Sound of Music — December 8–13, 2026
Death Becomes Her — February 16–21, 2027
Harry Potter and the Cursed Child — March 31 – April 8, 2027
Operation Mincemeat: A New Musical — June 22–27, 2027
Also, the Gallagher Encore Series (Subscriber Add‑Ons)
(Not part of the Five Star Bank series, but announced alongside it) are
Beetlejuice — March 5–7, 2027
Jersey Boys — May 18–23, 2027
SIX — June 8–13, 2027
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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The 35th annual Artie Awards, honoring excellence in Western New York theater, were presented on Monday, June 8, 2026 at Asbury Hall at 341 Delaware Avenue (Babeville). Maria Pedro, Jake Hayes, and Anthony Chase were the hosts with Joe Isgar as the music director. Tickets were $30 with proceeds going to local AIDS charities.
2026 Artie Award Winners — Buffalo, NY (scroll down to see all the nominations)
Outstanding Production of a Play
The Book of Will — Road Less Traveled Productions / Shakespeare in Delaware Park
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Come from Away — MusicalFare
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Kyle LoConti — Sheltered
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Jessica Hillman McCord — Islander
Outstanding Music Direction
Allen Paglia — Urinetown
Outstanding Choreography
Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo — Dreamgirls
Outstanding Ensemble of a Play
The Cottage — Alleyway Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble of a Musical
Urinetown — Second Generation Theatre
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play
Robert Creighton — A Skull in Connemara
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play
Aleks Malejs — Thirst
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Michael Starzynski — Irish Play
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
VerNia Sharisse Garvin — Twelfth Night
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical
Quinn McGillion — Jesus Christ Superstar
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical
Michele Marie Roberts — Come from Away
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Augustus Donaldson — Dreamgirls
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Alexandria Watts — Come from Away
Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role
Joey Bucheker — Shrek
Outstanding Costume Design
Collin Ranney — Game of Love and Chance
Emanuel Fried Award for New Play
Bella Poynton — The Girl in the Washroom
Outstanding Set Design
Dyan Burlingame — The Book of Will
Outstanding Technical Element
Diane Almeter Jones — Props, A Skull in Connemara
Katharine Cornell Awards
Ryan Cupello — Actor, Or, Irish Classical Theatre Company
Justin Lahue — Set Design, Oak, Alleyway Theatre
Career Achievement Honoree (2026)
Brian Cavanagh
THE NOMINATIONS:
Scroll up to see the winners. The 2026 Artie Award Nominations (copied from https://www.theatertalkbuffalo.com/post/2026-artie-award-nominations) are below. Visit theatertalkbuffalo.com for the list of winners.
Outstanding Production of a Play
The Book of Will – Road Less Traveled Productions
The Cottage – Alleyway Theatre
Hedda Gabler – D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre
On A First Name Basis – Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre
Sheltered – Jewish Repertory Theatre
A Skull in Connemara – Irish Classical Theatre Company
Outstanding Production of a Musical
Come from Away – MusicalFare
Crazy For You – Lancaster Opera House
Dreamgirls – Ansari/Saxon Productions
Ghost Brothers of Darkland County – Road Less Traveled Productions
Islander – Irish Classical Theatre Company
Mamma Mia! – Second Generation Theatre
Outstanding Direction of a Play
Mike Doben – The Girl in the Washroom (BUA / First Look Buffalo Theatre Company)
Lara D. Haberberger – Gidion’s Knot (Brazen-Faced Varlets)
John Hurley – The Book of Will (RLTP)
Matthew LaChiusa – Irish Play (ART)
Kyle LoConti – Sheltered (JRT)
Steve Vaughan – Conscience (JRT)
Outstanding Direction of a Musical
Chris Kelly – White Christmas (MusicalFare)
Randall Kramer – Come from Away (MusicalFare)
Daniel F. Lendzian – Shrek (O’Connell & Co)
Lisa Ludwig – Mamma Mia! (Second Generation Theatre)
Jessica Hillman McCord – Islander (ICTC)
Doug Weyand – Ghost Brothers of Darkland County (RLTP)
Outstanding Music Direction
Matt Caputy – Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Joe Isgar – Penelope
Allen Paglia – Urinetown
Theresa Quinn – Come from Away
Karen Saxon – Dreamgirls
Stephen Schapero – Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Outstanding Choreography
Joey Bucheker – Curtains (O’Connell & Co)
Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo – Dreamgirls (Ansari/Saxon Productions)
Kristy Cavanagh – Urinetown (Second Generation Theatre)
Michael Deeb Weaver – Mamma Mia! (Second Generation Theatre)
Eric Deeb Weaver – Hairspray (MusicalFare)
Michael Oliver Walline – Jesus Christ Superstar (MusicalFare)
Outstanding Ensemble of a Play
The Book of Will – Road Less Traveled Productions
The Brothers Size – Ujima Theatre Company
Conscience.– Jewish Repertory Theatre
The Cottage – Alleyway Theatre
Exit Strategy – Road Less Traveled Productions
Sheltered – Jewish Repertory Theatre
Outstanding Ensemble of a Musical
Between the Lines, Bellissima
Godspell – Ujima Theatre Company
Shrek – O’Connell & Company
String – D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre
Urinetown – Second Generation Theatre
White Christmas – MusicalFare Theatre
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Play
Chris Avery – Richard III
Robert Creighton – A Skull in Connemara
Rick Lattimer – Preservation
Jordan Levin – Just for Us
Cory McCants – The Brothers Size
Peter Palmisano – On a First Name Basis
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Play
Paige Cummings – The Girl in the Washroom
Josie DiVincenzo – Conscience
Rebecca Elkin – Sheltered
Sabrina Kahwaty Garcia – The Laughing Troll Café
Kate LoConti‑Alcocer – Hedda Gabler
Aleks Malejs – Thirst
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Play
Brendan Didio – A Skull in Connemara
Peter Johnson – Thirst
Stan Klimecko – Things with Friends
Dave Spychalski – The Game of Love and Chance
Michael Starzynski – Irish Play
Nick Stevens – Conscience
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Play
Kristin Bentley – Mr. Wolf
Diane DiBernardo – Exit Strategy
VerNia Sharisse Garvin – Twelfth Night
Pamela Rose Mangus – A Skull in Connemara
Shanntina Moore – Things with Friends
Maria Pedro – Sheltered
Outstanding Leading Actor in a Musical
Tiger Brown – Jesus Christ Superstar
George L. Brown – Dreamgirls
Louis Colaiacovo – Hairspray
Nicholas Lama – Curtains
Quinn McGillion – Jesus Christ Superstar
Marc Sacco – Urinetown
Outstanding Leading Actress in a Musical
Dasia Cervi – Dreamgirls
Kelly Copps – Mamma Mia!
Amy Jakiel – Penelope
Kayla McSorley – Islander
Michele Marie Roberts – Come from Away
Audrianna Yates – Shrek
Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Musical
Bobby Cooke – Crazy for You
Augustus Donaldson – Dreamgirls
Phil Farugia – Mamma Mia!
Jake Hayes – Shrek
Austin Marshall – Hairspray
Matt Witten – Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Musical
Arin Lee Dandes – Urinetown
Anna Fernandez – Crazy for You
Mary Coppola Gjurich – White Christmas
Bethany Moore – Mamma Mia!
Debbie Pappas Sham – Come from Away
Alexandria Watts – Come from Away
Outstanding Performance in a Featured Role
Michael Blasdell – Pure Glitter
Joey Bucheker – Shrek
Nicole Cimato – Lucky Stiff
Kevin Craig – Twelfth Night
Jeremy Kreuzer – The Book of Will
Kate Olena – Precious Little
Outstanding Costume Design
Ann R. Emo – A Christmas Carol
Phylicia Robinson Dove – Dreamgirls
Kari Drozd – Sheltered
Collin Ranney – Game of Love and Chance
Ken Shaw – Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas
Todd Warfield – The Book of Will
Emanuel Fried Award for New Play
Ian Downes – Retail Horror
Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola – The Laughing Troll Café
Daniel F. Lendzian – A Christmas Carol
Bella Poynton – The Girl in the Washroom
John Snodgrass – Ready, Set, Rerun
Outstanding Set Design
Primo Thomas – Crocodile Fever
Collin Ranney – A Skull in Connemara
J. Marc Quattlebaum – The Game of Love and Chance
Dyan Burlingame – The Book of Will
Hyla Stellhorn – Islander
Chris Cavanagh – Mamma Mia!
Outstanding Technical Element
Chris Cavanagh – Projections, Conscience
Diane Almeter Jones – Props, A Skull in Connemara
J. Marc Quattlebaum – Puppet, Crocodile Fever
Nicholas Quinn – Sound, Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
John Rickus – Lighting, Mr. Wolf
Emma Schimminger – Lighting/Sound, A Christmas Carol
2026 CAREER ACHIEVEMENT HONOREE – Brian Cavanagh
