Two plays, both running through Sunday, February 28, deal with the emotions that cultural identity stirs up, as well as culture versus stereotypes. BAD JEWS presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Steve Vaughan, asks questions about Jewish identity while FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN presented by Paul Robeson Theatre, directed by Laverne Clay, presents a late-in-life friendship between boxer Muhammad Ali and Hollywood actor Steppin' Fetchit.
BAD JEWS, the comedy by Joshua Harmon presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Steve Vaughan, starring Arin Lee Dandes, Jamie Nablo, Adam Rath, Nick Stevens runs through February 28, Thursdays at 7:30, Saturdays at 4 & 8, Sundays at 2 at The Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, 2640 North Forest Road, Getzville (688-4114 x391). www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com
FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN, a play by Will Power directed by Laverne Clay, starring Johnny Rowe, Joe Giambra, Leon Copeland, Courtney Turner, and Fisher runs through February 28, Fridays & Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 4 at the Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org
ORDINARY DAYS, musical by Adam Gwon presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Victoria Perez, starring Reed Bentley, Edith Grossman, Adam Hayes, Jennel Pruneda runs through February 21, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder (848-0800). www.oconnellandcompany.com
RING OF FIRE, musical featuring the songs of Johnny Cash, directed by Michael Walline, starring Katie Clark, Steve Copps, Kevin Craig, Philip Farugia, Bob Mazierski, Theresa Quinn, Zak Ward, Maggie Zindle runs through February 28, Wed & Thursdays at 7, Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 4 & 7, Sundays at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.com
OPENINGS THIS WEEKEND
LOVE’S PASSIONATE FIRE – Shakespeare’s Sonnets, directed and conceived by Kelli Bocock-Natale, starring Eric Rawski, Bobby Cooke, Nick Lama, Michael Wachowiak, Noah Doktor, Joseph Natale. February 12-27, Thursdays-Saturdays at 8 at The New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park. (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org
THE ADVENTURES OF TOM SAWYER, world premiere adaptation of Mark Twain's classic novel, written and directed by L. Don Swartz, starring DJ Swartz, Ben Torres, Daniel Arrasjid. February 11-21, Thursdays at 7, Fridays & Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2 at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).www.starrynighttheatre.com
COME BACK TO THE FIVE AND DIME, JIMMY DEAN, JIMMY DEAN, play by Ed Graczyk presented by Batavia Players. February 12-20, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2 at the Harvester 56 Theater, 56 Harvester Ave. #15, Batavia (585-861-6471). www.BataviaPlayers.org
CLOSINGS THIS WEEKEND
ALICE IN WONDERLAND, fantasy by Lewis Carroll, presented by Theatre in the Mist, directed by Corey Bieber, starring Elizabeth Teal, David Lewis, Maggie Ralph, Chris Teal. Through February 13, Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 2 & 7:30 at Stella Niagara Education Park, 4421 Lower River Road, Lewiston (1-877-856-0694). www.theatreinthemist.org
FREUD’S LAST SESSION, play by Mark St. Germain, directed by Katie Mallinson, starring David Oliver, Matt Witten. Through February 14, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2 at Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
THE MIRACLE WORKER, drama by William Gibson presented by The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Les Bailey, starring Sarah Potozniak, Bethany Kulikowski, Jessica Dows, Joe Cassidy. Through February 14, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 3 at the Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com.
SPEAK NO EVIL, world premiere comedy by Sonya Sobieski, directed by Neal Radice, starring David C. Mitchell, Melissa Leventhal, Joey Bucheker, Emily Yancy, Joyce Stilson, James Cichocki runs through February 13, Thursdays-Saturdays at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com
WHY WE HAVE A BODY, comedy-drama by Claire Chafee, presented by the Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Elizabeth Oddy starring Jennifer Fitzery, Heather Fangsrud, Lara Haberberger, Jeanne Vuich. Through February 14, Saturdays & Sundays at 2 at Rust Belt Books, 415 Grant St. (598-1585). www.varlets.org
