This week we have three openings to celebrate! Tonight, it's THE PROFANE, a play by Zayd Dohrn, presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Vivienne Benesch. In it Raif Almedin is a first generation American – a writer and a father who prides himself on being modern, liberal, and tolerant. But when his daughter falls for the son of a fundamentalist, Raif finds himself cast as the intolerant patriarch of his own fast changing family. Then, on Saturday, IT’S ONLY A PLAY, a comedy by Terrence McNally is presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Drew McCabe, starring, among others, Theater Talk's own Anthony Chase! In the play, it's opening night and the cast wait eagerly for the reviews, each in his or her own self-absorbed way. And, this coming Thursday, July 28, Shakespeare in Delaware Park opens their long run of THE TAMING OF THE SHREW on their new stage.
ONGOING
EVITA, musical by Tim Rice & Andrew Lloyd Webber, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Michele Marie Roberts, John Fredo, Marc Sacco, Paschal Frisina III, Arianne Davidow, Victoria Perez, Jeffrey Coyle, Alejandro Gomez, Taylor Carlson, Jon Yepez, Matthew Iwanski, Emily Yancey, Jake Hayes, Thomas Evans. Through August 7, Wednesday & Thursday at 7, Friday at 8, Saturday at 4 & 8, Sunday at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.com
THE ADVENTURES OF THE BLACK GIRL IN HER SEARCH FOR GOD continues at the Shaw Festival's Court House Theatre through September 11. It's this year's "lunchtime" play with 11:30 a.m. start times and run times around 45 minutes, leaving time for lunch before attending a 2:00 p.m. matinee (all of which is mentioned as part of this high energy farce). It's not a play by Shaw, but an adaption for the stage by Lisa Codrington from the short story by Bernard Shaw (who appears as one of the characters on stage). Many laughs and "over the top" performances.
LOOKING, a comedy by Norm Foster presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, stars Don Gervasi, Marc-Jon Filippone, Lisa Hinca, Tammy Reger. Through August 28. Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga (395-3207). www.mybobbyjs.com
OPENINGS
THE PROFANE, play By Zayd Dohrn presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Vivienne Benesch. July 22-31. Bratton Theater, Chautauqua Institution (357-6250).
IT’S ONLY A PLAY, comedy by Terrence McNally presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Anthony Alcocer, Anthony Chase, Adam Hayes, Jimmy Janowski, Lisa Ludwig, Mary Kate O’Connell, Michael Seitz. July 23-August 14, Saturday at 8, Sunday at 7. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239). www.buffalobua.org
THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, comedy by William Shakespeare presented by Shakespeare in Delaware Park, directed by Steve Vaughan, starring Bonnie Jean Taylor, Chris Hatch, Zev Steinberg, Marissa Puzutto, Norm Sham, Adam Yellen, Marc Ruffino, David Lundy, Rolando Gomez. July 28 – August 21 Tuesday-Sunday at 7:30. Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park (856-4533). www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org
