In the 1967 Mike Nichols movie The Graduate, one of the most memorable lines was actually one word: “Plastics.” Back then plastic was the way of the future, a convenience, an economic driver, something on which a college graduate (or even a drop out) could build a successful career. Fast forward to now: plastic has … Continue reading Burst is Packed with Energy
The Secret Garden at Second Generation
Gardens traditionally symbolize renewal, new life, and growth. Tending to a garden is emotionally tied to nurturing, empathy, and change. All good things. Second Generation Theatre’s production of The Secret Garden Spring Edition, embraces the very best of these positive attributes in an elegant and lush production on stage now at the Shea’s Smith Theatre. … Continue reading The Secret Garden at Second Generation
Time to go to “The Prom” at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
The National Touring Company of "The Prom." Photo courtesy of the production. Opening the 2022-2023 season at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre is “The Prom”! Adapted for the stage from the hit Netflix movie, “The Prom” opens with Broadway performers Dee Dee Allen (Courtney Balan) and Barry Glickman (Patrick Wetzel) following opening night for their new (fictional) … Continue reading Time to go to “The Prom” at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
“Nice Work” at MusicalFare
As the Ralph Freed-Burton Lane song says, “I love a Gershwin tune. How about you?” So a whole show of Gershwin music sounds like absolute heaven to me. That’s what I loved best about Nice Work If You Can Get It, now onstage at MusicalFare Theatre. This was 10 years coming to WNY, having a … Continue reading “Nice Work” at MusicalFare
Mysterious Circumstances at Road Less Traveled
Mark Twain was right: Truth is stranger than fiction. In the case of Mysterious Circumstances, sumptuously presented now by Road Less Traveled Productions, an unsolved true crime (or was it?) might be solved by the iconic fictional sleuth who ‘died’ 113 years earlier. Complicated? Not really. OK, maybe a little. Mysterious Circumstances is the true … Continue reading Mysterious Circumstances at Road Less Traveled
“Once On This Island” at Shea’s 710 Theatre
The cast of Once on This Island at Shea’s 710 Theatre. Photo by Kelsey Martinez. Through a colorful and magical production, Shea’s Performing Arts Center produces its first in-house show of “Once on this Island” in which the talent of Buffalo, NY is highlighted and celebrated. I had the pleasure of attending the opening night … Continue reading “Once On This Island” at Shea’s 710 Theatre
“Pippin” brings magic to Lockport Palace Theatre
My first introduction to “Pippin” was listening to SiriusXM’s Broadway’s Best station. A song called “Magic To Do” was played and the one and only Ben Vereen sang it. There was something about that piano part that made that song exciting. It became a favorite of mine. Of course, I did not know the context … Continue reading “Pippin” brings magic to Lockport Palace Theatre
Rock of Ages Still Rocks Today
Looking for a deeply serious night of thought-provoking theatre? Well, better head to some place other than D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre this month because there it’s all ‘80s rock as the 2022-23 season kicks off with lots of music and even more sequins and spandex. Rock of Ages had a Los Angeles and off-Broadway run before … Continue reading Rock of Ages Still Rocks Today
Lots of Laughs at Alleyway Cabaret
Babuska can mean an older woman if you’re in Poland or Russia or a headscarf tied under your chin (if you’re the American descendant of that older woman) or it’s a 1980 Kate Bush song (spelled as Babooska). But if you’re in the Theatre District on the fourth weekend of the month between now and … Continue reading Lots of Laughs at Alleyway Cabaret
Keep an Eye on Your Family with “A Gentleman’s Guide…”
Who knew that plotting to bump off your family members could be so much fun? That’s the essence of A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder, killing it on stage at Musicalfare Theatre until August 7. This outrageously funny musical takes us to Edwardian England as Monty D’Ysquith Navarro (deliciously played by Ricky Needham) is … Continue reading Keep an Eye on Your Family with “A Gentleman’s Guide…”