OPENING
CRAZY FOR YOU, musical by George & Ira Gershwin presented by The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Fran Newton, starring Joe Fratello, Emily Plotkin, Chuck Slisz, Chris Andreana, Sarah Fratello, Dawn Marcolini Newton, Kate Parker, John Parascak. Sep 20-Oct 6, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 550 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (260-2319). www.niagaratheatre.com Izzy, musical revue by Grant Golden & Jim Santella, directed by Richard Lambert, starring Chuck Basil, Brett Klaczik, Nathan Miller, Renee Landrigran. Sep 20-Oct 19, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). www.newphoenixtheatre.org Knock Knock, Jesus Calling, play written and performed by Heather Fangsrud, presented by The Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara D. Haberberger. Sep 20-Oct 5, Fri at 8, Sat & Sun at 2. Rust Belt Books, 415 Grant St. (598-1585). varlets.org Ladies Swing The Blues, book and original lyrics by Thomas W. Jones, II, original music by William A. Knowles, directed by Jones II. Sep 20-Oct 13, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). www.aaccbuffalo.org MEAN GIRLS, opening of the national tour of the Broadway musical by Tina Fey, Jeff Richmond & Nell Benjamin, directed by Casey Nicholaw. Sep 21-27, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7:30, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). www.sheas.org PIPELINE, play by Dominique Morriseau presented by Ujima Company, directed by Lorna C. Hill, starring Shanntina Moore, Jerai Kahdim, Mary Moebius, Phil Davis, Johnny Rowe, Samantha Cruz. Sep 20-Oct 13, Thu-Sat at 7, Sun at 4. Ujima Theater, 429 Plymouth Ave. (281-0092). www.ujimacoinc.org THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE, comedy by Neil Simon presented by The Carriage House Players, directed by Gail Golden, starring Darryl Hart, Kathleen Rooney, Daniel Morris, Betsy Bittar, Alicia Michielli, Alisse. Sep 20-29, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Taylor Theater at Kenan Center, 433 Locust St., Lockport (433-2617). www.kenancenter.org TICK, TICK…BOOM!, musical by Jonathan Larsen presented by Bellissima Productions. Sep 20-22, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. bellissimaproductionstheatre.wordpress.com‘TIS PITY SHE’S A WHORE, comedy by John Ford presented by presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti, starring Anna Krempholtz, Jeremy Kreuzer, David Oliver, Charmagne Chi, Chris Brandjes, Adriano Gatto, Ben Moran, Adam Yellen, Aleks Malejs, Jacob Albarella, Rolando Martin Gomez, Melinda Capeles. Sep 20 – Oct 13, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). www.irishclassicaltheatre.comONGOING
THE AUTHENTIC LIFE OF BILLY THE KID, play by Lee Blessing directed by Scott Behrend, starring Daniel Greer, Peter Palmisano, David Mitchell, Patrick Cameron. Through Oct 6, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2 (Sep 20 at 8). Road Less Traveled Theater, 456 Main St. (629-3069). www.roadlesstraveledproductions.orgBRIGHT COLORS AND BOLD PATTERNS, one man comedy by Drew Droege presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Carly Weiser, starring James Cichocki. Through Oct 5, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Cabaret, 672 Main St. (886-9239) www.buffalounitedartists.orgCATCH 22, comedy by Joseph Heller presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Kurt Schneiderman, starring Connor Maxwell, Jack Agugliaro, Jacob Chester Sauer, Lawrence Rowswell, John Kehoe, Leon Copeland, Jr. Through Sep 28, Thu-Sat at 7:30. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (462-5549). www.subversivetheatre.org HAIRSPRAY, Broadway musical based on the John Waters film, directed by Carlos Jones. Though Oct 6, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2 (Sep 20 at 8). Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com LOST IN YONKERS, play by Neil Simon presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Lisa Ludwig, starring, Ellen Horst, Diane DiBernardo, Elliot Fox, Ayden Herreid, Timothy Whipple, Kevin Nagel, Kelly Cammarata. Through Sep 29, Thu & Sat, dinner at 6, show at 7:30; Sun, dinner at 1, show at 2:30. Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga (395-3207). www.mybobbyjs.comNAVIGATORS, world premiere of the play by Gordon Farrell directed by Neal Radice, starring Chris J Handley, Sandra Roberts, Tom Owen. Through Oct 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30 (Sep 20 at 8), Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.comWEST SIDE STORY, musical by Laurents, Bernstein & Sondheim, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Leah Berst, Robert Cooke, Lissette DeJesus, Brendan Didio, Matthew DiVita, Thomas Evans, Philip Farugia, Rheanna Gallego, Alejandro Gabriel Gomez, Julieana Guash, Alexia Guzman, Karen Grace Harty, Dominique Kempf, Blaise Mercedes, Koby Morgan, Ricky Needham, Jordan Rosas, Joe Russi, Dan Torres, Dan Urtz. Through Oct 6, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2 (Sep 20 at 8). MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.comSPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
GENTLEMEN PREFER DIVAS: BROADWAY LEGENDS, cabaret celebration created and written by Mary Kate O’Connell, presented by O’Connell & Company. Sep 20 at 8. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (847-1410). www.oconnellandcompany.com