Dixie Longate comes up from Mobile and returns to Shea's Smith with her southern-style humor, a little biting (a la Joan Rivers) at times; the Irish (well, one actor, but when it's Bosco Hogan that's all you need) take over Canisius; and FINALLY, the American Repertory Theatre is in their new home on Amherst Street, ready for a March 10th opening night with a play by John Guare.
Openings this week include THE HOUSE OF BLUE LEAVES, a black comedy by John Guare about a zookeeper, his schizophrenic wife, his girlfriend, his AWOL son, three nuns, and the Pope coming to NYC in 1965 presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Diane DiBernardo Blenk, Robert Ernie Insana, Scot A Kaitanowski, Maura Nolan, Mara Morris, Rick Lattimer, Virginia Brannon, Erica Lorenzetti, Lisa Semper. March 10-April 2, Thursdays - Saturdays at 8 at 330 Amherst St. (697-0837) www.artofwny.org
And we have one special event: I AM OF IRELAND: AN ENTERTAINMENT OF W.B. YEATS, a play by Edward Callan featuring the great Irish actor Bosco Hogan, presented by Canisius College, one night only, Tuesday, March 8 at 7 p.m. in the Montante Cultural Center, 2001 Main Street, part of the Canisius College campus. The event is free and open to the public. For information contact Kristin Etu (etuk@canisius.edu) or Mick Cochrane (cochrane@canisius.edu).
And NEVER WEAR A TUBE TOP WHILE RIDING A MECHANICAL BULL AND 16 OTHER THINGS I LEARNED WHILE DRINKING LAST THURSDAY is a comedy starring Dixie Longate (the “alter ego” of Kris Andersson) who last brought us DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY. It’s presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. It opened Tuesday and runs only through this Sunday, March 6. Friday at 8; Saturday at 4 & 8, and Sunday (last day) at 2 & 6. It’s at the smaller Shea’s Smith Theatre, (right next door to Shea’s Performing Arts Center) 658 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, the beloved 1963 comedy by Neil Simon and his longest running hit. Corie and Paul Bratter are newlyweds on the top floor of a brownstone in New York City. As they get to know each other, Corrie wants Paul to become more easy-going, to run "barefoot in the park." It’s presented by Aurora Players, directed by Patricia Hoefler, starring Suzie Hibbard, Joel Murphy, Jessica K. Rasp, Michael Breen, and Chris Cummins and opens Friday, March 4 running through March 20, Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 2:30 at the Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park, East Aurora (687-6727). www.auroraplayers.org
THE HAPPIEST SONG PLAYS LAST, the third in a triology by Quiara Alegría Hudes about ex-marine Elliot searching for purpose after returning from duty in Iraq. Presented by Raíces Theatre Company, directed by Victoria Pérez, starring Anthony Alcocer, Marta Araceli, Monish Bhattacharyya, Rolando M. Gómez, Dewel Pérez, Ana Vafai. It runs March 4- 13, Fridays & Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 6 at The Manny Fried Playhouse 255 Great Arrow Ave. third Floor (238-1522). www.raicestheatrecompany.com
NOISES OFF, the famous 1980s farce by Michael Frayn uses a play within a play to show what goes on behind the curtain. Presented by Casting Hall Productions, directed by Jennifer Toohey. It runs March 3 through 12, Thursdays & Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 2 & 8 at the Warren Enters Theatre. That’s in Upton Hall at Buffalo State College (878-3005).
WHEN WE ARE MARRIED, a 1930s comedy by J.B. Priestley has a group of three couples, old friends and all married on the same day in the same chapel, discover that they are not legally married. It all ends well, though and is presented by The Niagara Regional Theater Guild, directed by M. Joseph Fratello, starring Alaina Kulikowski, Gary Gaffney, Melanie Merrill, Chris Best, Dawn Marcolini Newton. March 4-20. Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com.
Continuing this week are:
THE CITY OF CONVERSATION, a play about politics from Carter to Obama by Anthony Giardina, takes us back to a time in Washington, D.C. when deals were brokered, not in smoky back rooms, but at dinner parties. What happens when there is a political divide in the family, though? Find out in this excellent play beautifully directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring Kristen Tripp Kelley, Adriano Gatto, Aleks Malejs, Debbie Pappas Sham, Steve Jakiel, Loraine O’Donnell, Aaron Moss, David Lundy, Joel Fesmire, Tyler Eisenmann. It runs through March 20, Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 3:30 & 7:30, Sundays at 2 at the Kavinoky Theatre (in D’Youville College), 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com.
CHILDREN OF EDEN, a musical by Stephen Schwartz is based on the Book of Genesis. Act I tells the story of Adam and Eve, Cain, and Abel, and Act II deals with Noah and the Flood. Presented by Rocking Horse Productions, directed by Leigha Eichhorn, starring Clarisse Birkby, Danielle Burning, Jackson DiGiacomo, Emily DiMartino, Tom Doyle, Ryan Kaminski, Marc Krzystek, Derrik Reynolds, Valerie Stevens it runs to March 13, Fridays & Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2:30. It’s at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776). wwwlancopera.com
LOAD MORE GUYS, the world premiere of the play with music written and directed by Todd Warfield, inspired by the gay hook-up site “Grinder” is presented by Buffalo United Artists, starring Michael Seitz, Tyler Brown, Joey Bucheker, Sean Marciniak, Aaron Mrowka, Sean Murphy, David Spychalski, Bebe Bvlgari. It runs through March 12, Fridays & Saturdays at 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239). www.buffalobua.org.
Closing this week are:
EL HAJJ MALIK, a play by N.R. Davidson based heavily on The Autobiography of Malcolm X as told to Alex Haley, presented by Ujima, directed by Lorna C. Hill, starring a very well balanced ensemble of Brian Brown, Perris Fortson, Preach Freedom, Tuhran Gethers, Tanika Holmes, Daisy Medina, Shanntina Moore, Zoe Viola Scruggs is up through March 6, Fridays & Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 6 at Alleyway’s Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main St. (281-0092). www.ujimacoinc.org.
NEVER WEAR A TUBE TOP WHILE RIDING A MECHANICAL BULL AND 16 OTHER THINGS I LEARNED WHILE DRINKING LAST THURSDAY is a comedy starring Dixie Longate (the “alter ego” of Kris Andersson) who last brought us DIXIE’S TUPPERWARE PARTY. It’s presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. It opened Tuesday and runs only through this Sunday, March 6. Friday at 8; Saturday at 4 & 8, and Sunday (last day) at 2 & 6. It’s at the smaller Shea’s Smith Theatre, (right next door to Shea’s Performing Arts Center) 658 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
And THE SHIPMENT, a play by Young Jean Lee about racism where the audience reactions are as important as the play is presented by Torn Space, directed by Dan Shanahan, starring Dudney Joseph, Danica Riddick, Peter Johnson, Greg Howze, Roosevelt Tidwell runs through March 12, Thursdays through Saturdays at 7:30 (but Feb. 26 & Mar. 4 at 7), plus March 13 at 7:30 at the Adam Mickiewicz Library and Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave. (812-1733). www.tornspacetheater.com
UPCOMING
BEAUTIFUL, THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL, a touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino traces the career of this singer/songwriter from her start in the Brill building through her groundbreaking “Tapestry” CD. It has a short run March 15-20, Tuesday-Thursda at 7:30, Friday at 8, Saturday at 2 & 8, and Sun at 2 & 7 at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org
DEATH OF A SALESMAN, the drama by Arthur Miller about Willie Loman, is presented by Western Door Playhouse. March 11-20, Fridays & Saturdays at 2:30, Sundays at 2:30. Woodbox Theatre, Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls (297-5910).
THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, adapted from the children’s novel by C.S. Lewis, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Chris Kelly runs March 11 at 7 then March 12 through April 3, Saturdays at 10 a.m. & 2, Sundays at 2 (no 10 a.m. show on Mar 12) at the historic Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400). www.theatreofyouth.org
SAFE, the world premiere of the play by Donna Hoke, directed by Kyle LoConti, starring Christopher Evans, Michele Benzin, Matthew Gilbert, Lisa Ludwig, Jesse Tiebor. March 11 through April 3, Thurdays-Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 2 (no performance Mar 27) will be at Road Less Traveled Theater, 500 Pearl St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org
WIESENTHAL, a play about the Holocaust concentration camp survivor who dedicated his life to memorializing the millions who were killed in the camps, and to hunting down their murderers, Simon Wiesenthal, written by and starring Tom Dugan. March 17 through 20, Thursdays at 7:30, Fridays at 8, Saturdays at 2 & 8, Sundays at 2 & 7. 710 Main Theatre, 710 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org/710main.
