STAGEFRIGHT by JAVIER
The fabulous and beautiful Priscilla Presley is now touring the country in her show An Evening with Priscilla Presley which will be playing at Seneca Niagara Casino on February 28th and March 1st. Among her stories, she shares memories and insights into her relationship with the legendary Elvis Presley. Elvis’s 90th birthday would have been this past January 8th.
After a great 2024, theatrically speaking, in Buffalo, 2025 is off to a very good start. Jason Robert Brown’s innovative The Last Five Years opens tonight (January 10th) at Musicalfare’s Premier Cabaret. The story explores a five-year relationship between a rising novelist and a struggling actress. His story is told in chronological order (starting just after they first met) and her story is told in reverse chronological order (beginning at the end of their marriage). Kelly and Steve Copps star, directed by Eric Deeb Weaver, music direction by Theresa Quinn. Nine performances only, through February 26th. Brown, who attended Eastman School of Music in Rochester, is the author of such shows as Parade, Songs for a New World, and The Bridges of Madison County. His most recent musical, Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil, premiered this past summer in Chicago and is reportedly heading to Broadway. And, after playing off-Broadway in 2002, The Last Five Years will make its Broadway debut next March starring Nick Jonas and Adrienne Warren.
Sabrina Kahwaty directs her mother Donna Hoke’s play Brilliant Works of Art for Bellissima Productions, starring Zoe Goñez, Greg Howze, and Johnny Barden. The play runs January 30th-February 15th, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays at 3 & 7:30 at the Alleyway Cabaret Theater. Saturday evenings are Pay What You Can. According to the press release, the play is about “law student Abby Gates (who) has no qualms about becoming a sugar baby to get her tuition bills paid--until it means keeping a secret from the man she loves, an artist exploring confession and thresholds of shame. When Abby's two worlds collide, she discovers her sugar daddy has taught her about more than good wine.” Be warned, there are sexual themes, simulated sexual acts, simulated use of drinking, and strong language. Kahwaty previously directed a very successful production of Hoke’s play, Teach at Buffalo State University. Apparently this theatrical mother and daughter relationship is more Jo and Marmee March from Little Women than Louise and Rose Hovick from Gypsy. They like working together!
First Look Buffalo Theatre Company will present a new play by Wendy Marie Martin, The Day I Learned to Fly, January 17th-February 9th at the Canterbury Woods Performing Arts Center in Williamsville. Directed by Jason Francey, the production will star Heather Casseri, Kaylie Horowitz, Sandra Roberts, Anne DeFazio, Akshat Sharma and Emrald Ja’ceil. Playwright and dramaturg Martin is the department chair of the undergraduate theatre department at Hollins University. The play is about Hattie, whose life changed after being struck by lightning and transformed into SuperHattie who possesses many super powers, except flying.
Up next for O’Connell & Company, Khan!!! The Musical!” a parody of the the Star Trek movies, directed by Daniel F. Lendzian, with music direction by Joe Isgar starring, among others, John Kreuzer, Len Mendez, Joe Greenan, Vinny Murphy, Ashleigh Chrisena Ricci, Nicholas Lama, and Joey Bucheker, who also choreographs. The musical runs January 16th – 26th at The Shea’s Smith Theatre, 654 Main St. According to the press release, “you don’t need to be a die-hard Trekkie to dive into the fun!”
Shea's Buffalo Theatre will be kicking off their Centennial Celebration with A Groundbreaking Cocktail Party on Thursday, January 16th from 5:30 p.m. - 7:30 p.m. at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. Tickets are $19.25 (get it?) Also, save the date! Shea’s annual gala will take place on Friday, June 6th.
Jay Desiderio reports that he’s cast Lisa Hinca and Sarah Emmerling in the female roles, but he’s still looking for two men for the cast of Sean Grennan's play, Now & Then. He’ll be auditioning on Monday January 13, at 7 p.m. at Bobby’s J’s, 204 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga. Sides will be provided. Contact Jay asap if you’re interested at jaydesi47@yahoo.com or 716-713-7785.
The longest-running off-Broadway musical revue in history, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change! comes to the Kenan Center in Lockport February 6th-16th. Directed by Jen Mysliwy with music direction by Tim Dyet, the show will star Dave Spychalski, Karen Grace Harty, Brittney Leigh Morton, and Alex Garcia. The show has book and lyrics by Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Diana, and Nice Work if You Can Get It) and music by Jimmy Roberts.
Rebecca Elkin returns to Shakespeare in Delaware Park starring as Olivia in Twelfth Night to be directed by Eileen Dugan. The production will also star Solange Gosselin, VerNia Garvin, Chris Hatch, Richard Thomas Robbins, Nathanial Higgins, Norm Sham, Todd Benzin, Daniel Lendzian, and Kevin Craig.
Congratulations to Don Gervasi who is the newly elected President of IATSE Local 10. His three-year term began on January 1st. Also elected, Vice-President Robert Battaglia, and Sergeant-At-Arms Michael Amato. Robert Hemphill, Jeff Keen, and Gary Syracuse Jr. will serve on the executive board. The Trustees are Rich Micholas (Chair), Jay Marks, and Glenn Williams. In addition, Joshua Moberly will serve as Business Agent. Charles Gill is the Secretary-Treasurer. Robert Walters is the Recording Secretary.
The theater worlds mourns the loss of the great Linda Lavin, whose extraordinary career spanned over six decades and included six Tony Award nominations, including a win for her unforgettable performance in Neil Simon's "Broadway Bound" in 1987. Her stage work included roles in "It's a Bird...It's a Plane...It's Superman", "Gypsy", "The Diary of Anne Frank", "The New Century," "The Tale of the Allergist's Wife," and "The Lyons". Old time Buffalonians will remember her as the star of television's "Alice" sitcom, which ran from 1976 -1985 and continued in syndication after the WIVB 11 o'clock news, when Jacquie Walker would end her broadcast with the familiar tag, "Alice is next!" Good-bye Miss Lavin, your life was a masterpiece of wit, warmth, and extraordinary talent.