And so it begins. There was a brief hiatus, post-Shakespeare in Delaware Park, when the theater scene seemed to go dormant, but in reality, a dozen shows were incubating. Brace yourself for the fall deluge of shows, covering a wide range of periods and genres.
OPENING
CATCH 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. Sep 6-28, 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. Sep 6-Oct 6, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668). www.kavinokytheatre.com WEST 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. Sep 4-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.com CONTINUING
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.comCOMING UP
THE AUTHENTIC LIFE OF BILLY THE KID, play by Lee Blessing directed by Scott Behrend, starring Daniel Greer, Peter Palmisano, David Mitchell, Patrick Cameron, Sep 12-Oct 6, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. 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. Sep 13-Oct 5, Fri & Sat at 8. Alleyway Cabaret, 672 Main St. (886-9239) www.buffalounitedartists.orgNAVIGATORS, world premiere of the play by Gordon Farrell directed by Neal Radice, starring Chris J Handley, Sandra Roberts, Tom Owen. Sep 12-Oct 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30 (Sep 20 at 8), Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600). www.alleyway.com