Arties Cap Big Buffalo Theater Weekend
- Anthony Chase
- Jun 5
- 3 min read
By ANTHONY CHASE
From Shea’s Gala to the Artie Awards
Buffalo’s theater lovers, get ready -- this is our weekend! With a dazzling lineup of events, theater in the Queen City is about to take center stage on the national and local arts scene.
Friday: Shea’s Gala with Stephanie J. Block
The festivities kick off Friday night with the annual Shea’s Gala, which is right up there with the Neglia Ballet Gala as a highlight of Buffalo’s cultural calendar. This year’s event promises to be extra special, featuring Tony Award-winner Stephanie J. Block. Known for her powerhouse vocals and magnetic stage presence in such outings as Cher in The Cher Show (2019 Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical); as Elphaba in Wicked (the original workshop, then Broadway replacement, and then First National Tour); as the Baker’s Wife in the 2022 Broadway revival of Into the Woods; as the title character in the 2012 Broadway revival of The Mystery of Edwin Drood (with Chita Rivera); and originating the role of Judy Bernly in 9 to 5: The Musical. Just last week, she was featured on PBS's Great Performances making her West End debut as Lilli Vanessi in Kiss Me Kate. She'll be bringing her Broadway brilliance to Shea’s Performing Arts Center for a special evening, this weekend!
Saturday: “Good Night and Good Luck” on CNN—Starring Buffalo’s Greg Stuhr
Saturday, at 7 p.m., Buffalo pride goes national as CNN broadcasts Good Night and Good Luck, live from Broadway. The acclaimed play chronicles Edward R. Murrow’s battle with McCarthyism. Keep an eye out for Buffalo’s own Greg Stuhr, who delivers a standout performance as Phil from Legal. According to “Variety,” the network aims to build a primetime event and a television first, with a live telecast of the Broadway play, filling in the schedule before and after with special coverage tied to the show’s story of journalists who stand up to power.
Anderson Cooper and Pamela Brown will lead special live coverage for the Warner Bros. Discovery-backed outlet’s telecast, which will mark a first for Broadway. Oh -- George Clooney is in it too.
Sunday: The Tony Awards
Sunday night brings the biggest celebration in American theater: the Tony Awards. For the fifth year in a row, the event will be split into two broadcasts: a pre-show celebration of the season and the main ceremony. The pre-show will begin at 6:40 p.m., streaming live on Pluto Live Music channel, which is a free streaming service. You can download the Pluto TV app onto your device or you can stream from your desktop computer. The Tony Awards ceremony, hosted by Cynthia Erivo, will follow, live on CBS and streaming simultaneously on Paramount+ (for subscribers of Paramount+ with Showtime only) at 8 p.m.
Monday: The Artie Awards at Babeville -- Don’t Miss Out!
The Buffalo Theater weekend crescendos on Monday with the 34th Annual Artie Awards at Babeville, Buffalo’s own night to honor the outstanding achievements of our local theater community. Tickets are selling fast. If you want to be part of this unforgettable evening, don’t delay. This year’s Career Achievement Award winner is actor-director Eileen Dugan. Amy Jakiel and Curtis Lovell will join me as hosts, with music direction by Phil Farugia. The Arties are sponsored by BTPM-npr, for 32 years, home to Theater Talk. For tickets, click below:
