Pre-dating the TV show "Seinfeld" ("the show about nothing") by 100 years, Oscar Wilde's most popular (and unfortunately last) play "The Importance of Being Earnest" moved one contemporary critic to write that he had enjoyed the play but found it empty of meaning. Nobody cares when you have delightful verbal fencing written by a master with lines such as: “To be natural is such a very difficult pose to keep up,” “All women become like their mothers. That is their tragedy. No man does, and that is his” and "I hate people who are not serious about meals. It is so shallow of them.” Theater Talk co-host Anthony Chase plays Lady Bracknell (Judy Dench, Brian Bedford, and Geoffrey Rush have, among others, brought this role to life) and notes the fun of bringing "Earnest" to yet another generation of theater goers. Directed by Donn Youngstrom it's in the Warren Enters Theatre in Upton Hall on the Buffalo State Campus, tonight and tomorrow and March 17th -20th at 8pm with one matinee March 14th at 2pm.
Andrew Lloyd Webber's "The Phantom of the Opera" touring production comes to Shea's March 18-29, Tuesday-Thursday at 7:30, Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 8, and Sunday at 2 & 7, plus March 19th at 1. This is now the longest running Broadway show in history, and is responsible for moving many theaters to upgrade and expand their backstage to accommodate this blockbuster.
Time is running out on "Mothers and Sons" by Terrence McNally presented by Buffalo United Artists at the Alleyway through Saturday at 8pm. Also closing this weekend, "Topdog/Underdog" by Suzan-Lori Parks is presented by Ujima Company, in Hallwalls, 341 Delaware, their temporary home due to a leaking roof at their regular venue on Elmwood.
And, one night only, "Men are from Mars - Women are from Venus" - a one man show starring John Frusciante, is at 710 Main on Saturday, March 14th at 8.
