Theater News: September / October

STAGEFRIGHT by JAVIER

With the Grand Dame of Buffalo Theater, the one and only Anne Gayley

September zipped by, and the theater season burst to life. Curtain Up brought a cascade of first-rate productions – so good, you’ve got to wonder, “Can they top this?” It all bodes well for a wonderful season ahead. The highlight was certainly a very special event: the induction of the one and only Anne Gayley into the Plaza of Stars. Truly the Grande Dame of Buffalo theater, Anne has done it all: acted, directed, and left her mark at nearly every theater in town. I count myself lucky to have directed her in Glorious as well as in her unforgettable Artie Award winning turn in Six Dance Lessons in Six Weeks at O’Connell & Company. (I’ve loved that comedy ever since seeing the legendary Uta Hagen play the role years ago.) Working with her is every director’s wish come true, and she totally deserves this big honor.

 With Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo, Karen Saxon, and Dasia Cervi

Also in September, Shea’s 710 reopened its doors to reveal a beautifully remodeled lobby and bar. And what a glorious production it had on offer: the musical Dreamgirls, produced by Shea’s and the newly formed company Ansari-Saxon, comprised of Naila Ansari (now Naila Ansari Carbonell Catilo), who co-directed and choreographed, and Karen Saxon, who co-directed and music directed. The whole cast was superb, and the run was a huge success. Dasia Cervi delivered a star-making performance in the demanding and iconic role of Effie. Apparently, the new company is here to stay – they broke the box office record for Shea’s 710 with over 7,500 tickets sold across 18 performances, the largest audience for a single engagement since Shea’s assumed ownership of the theatre in 2012. Titles are already being discussed for next year!

Dreamgirls was originally produced on Broadway in 1981, directed and choreographed by Buffalo’s own Michael Bennett. Jennifer Holliday, the original Effie, won the Tony Award for Best Actress. The 2006 movie adaptation earned Jennifer Hudson an Oscar for Best Supporting Actress. Dreamgirls is now heading for a Broadway revival in fall 2026. The producers are looking for “talented women of all shapes and sizes” and will hold auditions all over the country and abroad. Go, Buffalo girls!

Incidentally, Jennifer Holliday will be performing November 14^-15 at Seneca Niagara Resort & Casino. The last time I saw her in Buffalo was at the Tralf.

With Tracie Lane at Theatre for a New Audience at Polonsky Shakespeare Center in New York City

The Alleyway triumphed over a last-minute “emergency” when star Tracie Lane, set to play the lead in The Cottage by Sandy Rustin, got a role in Ibsen’s The Wild Duck at Theatre for a New Audience in New York City. Anna Krempholtz stepped up to the plate, and with just three days to prepare, hit it out of the ballpark. The result was a highly entertaining evening, which had no reason to envy the Broadway production. Directed by David E. Shane, the show starred Todd Benzin, Kelly Copps, Paige Cummings (taking on the role Krempholtz was originally playing with just three days rehearsal), Chris Handley, and Daniel Lendzian.

With Michele Ragusa and Jay Dref at Kleinhans

Buffalo’s Michele Ragusa and Jay Dref brilliantly performed an evening of Broadway music with the BPO on September 27^th, as part of the Pops Series. The next day, Dref took the microphone at an even bigger venue to perform the national anthem before the Buffalo Bills game against the New Orleans Saints at Highmark Stadium. (Maybe they should have invited him to sing again last Sunday!)  The fabulous Ragusa is currently appearing in Come From Away at Theatre Northport on Long Island along with fellow Western New Yorker John Scherer; the production has been extended through November 2^nd.

A very popular show, Come From Away will also be the opener for Musicalfare, October 23 ^- November 9, as they begin their residency at Shea’s 710 Theatre. This is the inspiring true story of 7,000 stranded airline passengers on 9/11 and the small town in Canada that welcomed them. Directed by Randy Kramer, and choreographed by Michael Oliver-Walline, with music direction by Theresa Quinn, the show stars Bobby Cooke, Steve Copps, Augustus Donaldson, Wendy Hall, John Kaczorowski, Austin Marshall, Bob Mazierski, Kayla McSorley, Michele Marie Roberts, Debbie Pappas Sham, Alexandria Watts and Emily Yancey. Donaldson and Marshall must be feeling quite at home in the space; they also starred in Dreamgirls!

With the Broadway contingent of the Starring Buffalo cast of Young Frankenstein: Brandon Espinoza who played Igor, director Drew Fornarola, Lindsay Nicole Chambers who played Inga, and A.J. Shively who played young Dr. Frankenstein

Starring Buffalo delivered an irresistible concert version of the Mel Brooks musical Young Frankenstein, starring Broadway veterans A.J. Shively, Lindsay Nicole Chambers, and Brandon Espinoza, and several local stars. Did you know that Michele Ragusa took over for Megan Mullally in the original Broadway production of Young Frankenstein? By the way, there is no stopping Brooks. Now 99, he will produce and star in the follow-up to his 'Star Wars' parody film that hit theaters in 1987, Spaceballs 2.

And with some of the equally wonderful Buffalo cast members of Young Frankenstein: Lily Jones, Kristen-Marie Lopez, Matt Rittler, Same Crystal, Ricky Needham, Jamil Kassem-López, Kristen-Marie Lopez, and Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci. (Jeffrey Coyle, who killed as the monster, escaped).

So it’s Tom Dudzick’s time in Buffalo. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre is presenting three of his one-act comedies starring Marie Costa, Mira Steuer, Collin Pellerin, Brian Tabak, Ian Michalski, Geno Delmaro, Randy Reese, through October 19th. Up next at Desiderio’s is Peter Shaffer’s Black Comedy, opening November 13th. The production will star Jeremy Kreuzer, Justyne Harris, Lisa Hinca, and John Profeta. Next up at Desiderio’s is Norm Foster’s On a First Name Basis with Eileen Dugan and Sean Cullen.

Kicking back at Bobby J's after the show with members of the cast of the Tom Dudzick one-acts at Desiderio's in Cheektowaga! Randy Reese, Geno Delmaro, Collin Pellerin, Mira Steuer, Brian Tabak, and Ian Michalski.

American Repertory Theater of WNY presents the regional premiere of Dudzick’s The Gods of Paderewski Drive, set on Buffalo’s East Side, directed by Matthew LaChiusa, starring Danette Pawlowski, Alyssa Walsh, Dan Morris, Steve Jakiel, and Anna Lauger. The play runs October 9 - 25. 

Bethany Moore (right) with her former ballet teacher, Young Frankenstein choreographer Jeanne Palmer Fornarola

Everyone loves ABBA!  (Everybody I know, anyway). SOS: The Abba Experience will play Shea’s October 25^th at 7:30. The super popular musical Mamma Mia! featuring ABBA’s songs is now back on Broadway for a limited run probably prior to another national tour. The show will also be back in Buffalo, courtesy of Second Generation Theatre, playing at Shea’s 710. Directed by Lisa Ludwig with choreography by Michael Deeb Weaver, and music direction by Allan Paglia, the cast includes  Kelly Copps, Bethany Moore, Michele Marie Roberts, Chris Avery, Philip Farugia, and Bobby Cooke. The show represents a return for Moore, who, after years working on Broadway, on tour, and in regional theaters, has come back home!

Before Second Generation tackles ABBA, however, they’re off to Urinetown!, starring Sean Ryan, Charmagne Chi, Marc Sacco, Penelope Sergi, Arin Lee Dandes, Philip Farugia, Thomas Evans, Gretchen Didio, Kristopher Bartolomeo, David P. Eve, Chris Victor, Nicole Cimato, Brittany Bassett, and Dan Urtz.  Directed by Louis Colaiacovo; and choreographed by Kristy Schupp Cavanagh; with music direction by Allan Paglia,the show runs October 24 - November 9 at Shea’s Smith Theatre.

Coincidentally, the UB Department of Theater and Dance will also perform Urinetown! November 6-9 under the direction of Doug Weyand. The department is dedicating the 2025-2026 production season to Professor Emeritus Saul Elkin and Professor Emeritus Vincent O'Neill, in recognition of their extraordinary contributions to the field of theatre and to their academic and artistic community. The department’s season kicked off with The Wolves, a play by Sarah DeLappe, directed by Lana Sugarman, which featured Lindsay Brandon Hunter as the soccer mom.

With Curtis Lovell

After charming us as Judas in Ujima’s production of Godspell, Curtis Lovell moves to the director’s chair to talk some sense into those Straight White Men. The play by Young Jean Lee runs November 14-23, and stars Camille, Nova Russell, Daniel Greer, Connor Graham, Brent Hetrick, and Nathaniel Higgins.

Speaking of Higgins, he will be directing the touring show for Shakespeare in Delaware Park next season. They may be going back to a “small scenes” concept as opposed to a full abridged play. Brendan Didio, who previously directed the touring show, is now directing the main stage production of The Taming of the Shrew. Looking for someone to play Kate, Brendan? Think The Blue Bird and look in your own yard!

With Ted Lange and Josie DiVincenzo on Theatre Row in New York City!

After her starring role off-Broadway in Lady Patriot, Josie DiVincenzo is set to star in the upcoming Jewish Repertory Theatre of WNY production of Conscience by Joe DiPietro. Directed by Steve Vaughan, the production also stars Anna Krempholtz, David Mitchell, and Nick Stevens. Lady Patriot was written by Ted Lange of Love Boat fame. Many years ago, Lange was touring in a production of Driving Miss Daisy, which made a stop at Shea’s. A genuinely nice guy, he took time to visit with Buffalo students at the Paul Robeson Theatre while he was in town.

The Irish Classical Theatre Company (ICTC) is proud to present a special engagement of Distillation, an award-winning, multi-sensory performance by Irish artist Luke Casserly, hosted at the Buffalo Irish Center, October 24-26. For tickets, go to irishclassical.com .

Theatre of Youth will kick off its season with Fancy Nancy: Splendiferous Christmas, The Musical, which is to be directed and choreographed by Alexandria Watts with music direction by Stephen Schapero, starring Amaya Sonubi, Taylor Grosskopf, Timiya Love, Aaron Gabriel Saldana, and Jetaun Louie. Costumes are by Ken Shaw, with set by Sarah Waechter, and sound by Emma Schimminger.  Christmas is just around the corner -- the musical opens December 6^th.

While work is being done at O’Connell & Company’s space on Bailey Ave, they will be performing at other locations. The Golden Girls opens in November at Shea’s Smith Theatre, followed by Shrek The Musical directed by Daniel Lendzian, starring Nick Lama, Audrianna Yates, Dasia Cervi, Jake Hayes, Chrisena Ricci and Corey Bieber.  They will also perform at Canterbury Woods presenting, among other shows, the seldom-produced Kander & Ebb musical Curtains, starring Lisa Ludwig.