The Gusto Blog

"Jersey Boys," through Saturday in Shea's Performing Arts Center. ★★★½

From the review: "The decision to keep this glorious music native to its roots is the smartest thing the show does. It allows the story to steer the dramatic narrative arc, which is what Valli and his brothers – not to mention a tiring, pervasive theatrical genre – deserve. The amount of musical numbers is impressive, yet this still feels like a play with songs and not a musical with dialogue." --Ben Siegel

"Moonlight and Magnolias," through Saturday in the American Repertory Theatre of Western New York's home in the Church of the Ascension. ★★★

From the review: "Actors David Mitchell (Selznick), Todd Fuller (Fleming), and veteran Guy Wagner (Hecht) [are] at each other’s throats and physically manic for three acts. They’re loud and silly and frequently over-the-top on a Lauren Millman set. It all makes for an impressive rendering by [director Gail] Golden and the cast in a funny and occasionally crude piece." --Ted Hadley

 
Christian Brandjes, Jose Rivera and Brian Mysliwy appear in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's production of "American Buffalo."

"American Buffalo," through Sunday in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's Andrews Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "[Director Chris] Cavanagh has insisted that the economical speech patterns, the fragmented or unfinished sentences, the pulsating unrelenting cadence, the “scatological buckshot,” as the famed Jack Kroll once described Mamet’s work, remain intact and non-stop and he has assembled just the cast to do that." --Ted Hadley

Kristen Tripp Kelley, Eileen Dugan and Sheila McCarthy star in the Kavinoky Theatre's production of "August: Osage County."

"August: Osage County," through Sunday in the Kavinoky Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "The Kavinoky has pulled off a fine production of [Tracy] Letts’ modern classic under the smart direction of Bob Waterhouse, a British-born man of the theater who clearly understands the peculiarly American sensibility and mood this play requires." --Colin Dabkowski

"Blood on the Cat's Neck," through Sunday in Torn Space Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "A tuned cast makes this chilling but tedious piece, sometimes subtitled, inexplicably, 'Marilyn Monroe vs. The Vampires,' work." --Ted Hadley

Andrea Andolina and Matthew Nerber star in the New Phoenix Theatre and Subversive Theatre Collective's production of "On the Waterfront."

Continue reading "Thursday Theater Roundup" »

Gary Trainor and Delme Thomas star in "Potted Potter."

"Potted Potter," through Sunday in the 710 Main Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "For this production, Clarkson and Turner’s show gets a magnificent treatment from Gary Trainor and Delme Thomas, a sort of Hogwarts-educated Abbott and Costello whose scripted hijinks come off as the inspired riffing of two very old and very good friends." --Colin Dabkowski

"Moonlight and Magnolias," through May 18 in the American Repertory Theatre of Western New York's home in the Church of the Ascension. ★★★

From the review: "Actors David Mitchell (Selznick), Todd Fuller (Fleming), and veteran Guy Wagner (Hecht) [are] at each other’s throats and physically manic for three acts. They’re loud and silly and frequently over-the-top on a Lauren Millman set. It all makes for an impressive rendering by [director Gail] Golden and the cast in a funny and occasionally crude piece." --Ted Hadley

 

Christian Brandjes, Jose Rivera and Brian Mysliwy appear in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's production of "American Buffalo."

"American Buffalo," through May 19 in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's Andrews Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "[Director Chris] Cavanagh has insisted that the economical speech patterns, the fragmented or unfinished sentences, the pulsating unrelenting cadence, the “scatological buckshot,” as the famed Jack Kroll once described Mamet’s work, remain intact and non-stop and he has assembled just the cast to do that." --Ted Hadley

Kristen Tripp Kelley, Eileen Dugan and Sheila McCarthy star in the Kavinoky Theatre's production of "August: Osage County."

"August: Osage County," through May 19 in the Kavinoky Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "The Kavinoky has pulled off a fine production of Letts’ modern classic under the smart direction of Bob Waterhouse, a British-born man of the theater who clearly understands the peculiarly American sensibility and mood this play requires." --Colin Dabkowski

"Blood on the Cat's Neck," through May 19 in Torn Space Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "A tuned cast makes this chilling but tedious piece, sometimes subtitled, inexplicably, 'Marilyn Monroe vs. The Vampires,' work." --Ted Hadley

Andrea Andolina and Matthew Nerber star in the New Phoenix Theatre and Subversive Theatre Collective's production of "On the Waterfront."

"On the Waterfront," through May 25 in the New Phoenix Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "A cast of stalwarts makes this play work. Victor Morales excels as Johnny Friendly; there is no one better than this fine actor in these tough-guy roles. He’s joined by a parade of Subversive-New Phoenix veterans, attuned to these rough-edged stories." --Ted Hadley

Tina Rausa, Mary McMahon, Victoria Perez and Margaret Massman appear in Road Less Traveled Theatre's production of "The Clean House." Photo by Harry Scull Jr. / The Buffalo News.

"The Clean House," through May 12 in the Road Less Traveled Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "Director Derek Campbell’s campy approach to the production is in perfect sync with the often tongue-in-cheek nature of Ruhl’s script, which blurs the traditional boundaries between time, place and character to make the piece feel like a living New Yorker cartoon, only funnier." --Colin Dabkowski

"'Swonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," through May 19 in MusicalFare Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "It’s a musical revue that you can actually sit through, if you aren’t itching to dance through, without asking yourself 'why' and 'when' – as in 'will it stop?' " --Ben Siegel

Christian Brandjes, Jose Rivera and Brian Mysliwy appear in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's production of "American Buffalo."

"American Buffalo," through May 19 in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's Andrews Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "[Director Chris] Cavanagh has insisted that the economical speech patterns, the fragmented or unfinished sentences, the pulsating unrelenting cadence, the “scatological buckshot,” as the famed Jack Kroll once described Mamet’s work, remain intact and non-stop and he has assembled just the cast to do that." --Ted Hadley

Kristen Tripp Kelley, Eileen Dugan and Sheila McCarthy star in the Kavinoky Theatre's production of "August: Osage County."

"August: Osage County," through May 19 in the Kavinoky Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "The Kavinoky has pulled off a fine production of Letts’ modern classic under the smart direction of Bob Waterhouse, a British-born man of the theater who clearly understands the peculiarly American sensibility and mood this play requires." --Colin Dabkowski

"Blood on the Cat's Neck," through May 19 in Torn Space Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "A tuned cast makes this chilling but tedious piece, sometimes subtitled, inexplicably, 'Marilyn Monroe vs. The Vampires,' work." --Ted Hadley

Andrea Andolina and Matthew Nerber star in the New Phoenix Theatre and Subversive Theatre Collective's production of "On the Waterfront."

"On the Waterfront," through May 25 in the New Phoenix Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "A cast of stalwarts makes this play work. Victor Morales excels as Johnny Friendly; there is no one better than this fine actor in these tough-guy roles. He’s joined by a parade of Subversive-New Phoenix veterans, attuned to these rough-edged stories." --Ted Hadley

Tina Rausa, Mary McMahon, Victoria Perez and Margaret Massman appear in Road Less Traveled Theatre's production of "The Clean House." Photo by Harry Scull Jr. / The Buffalo News.

"The Clean House," through May 12 in the Road Less Traveled Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "Director Derek Campbell’s campy approach to the production is in perfect sync with the often tongue-in-cheek nature of Ruhl’s script, which blurs the traditional boundaries between time, place and character to make the piece feel like a living New Yorker cartoon, only funnier." --Colin Dabkowski

"'Swonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," through May 19 in MusicalFare Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "It’s a musical revue that you can actually sit through, if you aren’t itching to dance through, without asking yourself 'why' and 'when' – as in 'will it stop?' " --Ben Siegel

Tina Rausa, Mary McMahon, Victoria Perez and Margaret Massman appear in Road Less Traveled Theatre's production of "The Clean House." Photo by Harry Scull Jr. / The Buffalo News.

"The Clean House," through May 12 in the Road Less Traveled Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "Director Derek Campbell’s campy approach to the production is in perfect sync with the often tongue-in-cheek nature of Ruhl’s script, which blurs the traditional boundaries between time, place and character to make the piece feel like a living New Yorker cartoon, only funnier." --Colin Dabkowski

"Almost, Maine," through April 27 in Buffalo Laboratory Theatre's Swan Auditorium at Hilber College. ★★★★

From the review: "It is a lovely piece of theater that feels perfect for this time of year, with spring sprouting all over this sometimes barren landscape. It’s time for romance." --Ben Siegel

"'Swonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," through May 19 in MusicalFare Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "It’s a musical revue that you can actually sit through, if you aren’t itching to dance through, without asking yourself 'why' and 'when' – as in 'will it stop?' " --Ben Siegel

"Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas," through April 21 in Shea's Smith Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "It’s all in good fun, and not remotely offensive. Yet that didn’t stop this audience of presumably many Catholics to cower in shame at Sister’s routine verbal attacks on them. This is the audience participation that’s involuntary, beautifully crafted by Newton-Breen’s spot-on candor and playwright Maripat Donovan and Marc Silvia’s ferocious wit. Everyone’s a target." --Ben Siegel

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Friday through April 28 in O'Connell and Company's Gleasner Hall.

From the review: "O’Connell & Company and director Guy Tomassi have a lovable production of “Charlie” at their current ECC home for the next two weekends. Tomassi has a soft spot in his heart for the show and it shows. His cast has been well-chosen." --Ted Hadley

Here's this week's Thursday Theater Roundup, a compendium of shows our reviewers recommend:

"'Swonderful: The New Gershwin Musical," through May 19 in MusicalFare Theatre. ★★★

From the review: "It’s a musical revue that you can actually sit through, if you aren’t itching to dance through, without asking yourself 'why' and 'when' – as in 'will it stop?' " --Ben Siegel

"Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas," through April 21 in Shea's Smith Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "It’s all in good fun, and not remotely offensive. Yet that didn’t stop this audience of presumably many Catholics to cower in shame at Sister’s routine verbal attacks on them. This is the audience participation that’s involuntary, beautifully crafted by Newton-Breen’s spot-on candor and playwright Maripat Donovan and Marc Silvia’s ferocious wit. Everyone’s a target." --Ben Siegel

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Friday through April 28 in O'Connell and Company's Gleasner Hall.

From the review: "O’Connell & Company and director Guy Tomassi have a lovable production of “Charlie” at their current ECC home for the next two weekends. Tomassi has a soft spot in his heart for the show and it shows. His cast has been well-chosen." --Ted Hadley

Opening this week:

Victoria Perez stars in "The Clean House" at Road Less Traveled Theatre.

"The Clean House," Friday through May 12 in the Road Less Traveled Theatre.

"Being Behan," through April 14 in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's Andrews Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "It is a treat to witness this production, another full-circle collaboration that celebrates the connectedness between two sets of two brothers, and two countries, that are joined, every few years or so, on the stage. What a view." --Ben Siegel

Michael Blasdell, Luther Nelson, Maria Droz and Jimmy Janowski star in Buffalo United Artists "L'Imitation of Life."

"L'Imitation of Life," EXTENDED through April 13 in the Buffalo United Artists Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "The latest Janowski-Warfield camp-tasia is perhaps the greatest achievement in the eye-roll-inducing, pun-laden, innuendo-ridden brand of camp that BUA and Janowski have been honing for much of the past two decades. I don’t think there was a two-second stretch during the entire production during which the sold-out opening night crowd did not sound like a particularly exasperated Hollywood laugh track." --Colin Dabkowski

Opening this week:

"Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas," through April 21 in Shea's Smith Theatre.

"Rock of Ages," through Satruday in Shea's Performing Arts Center.

"You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown," Friday through April 28 in O'Connell and Company's Gleasner Hall.

Because of a fire today in the building that houses Shea's Smith Theatre, the prodcution of "Late Nite Catechism Las Vegas" will move to the nearby 710 Main Theatre tonight, according to Shea's public relations and marketing director Lisa Grisanti. Grisanti also said the show would likely  will play at 710 Main through its weekend performances. A statement from Shea's is below:

There was a minor electrical fire today at approximately 12:15 p.m. in the basement of the Smith Theatre, 652 Main Street.  It was discovered immediately by one of our maintenance staff who responded by using a fire extinguisher.  The Buffalo Fire Department responded very quickly to completely extinguish the fire and clear the smoke. 

 The show Late Night Catechism Las Vegas – Sister Rolls the Dice that was scheduled at the Smith Theatre will go on tonight at 7:30 p.m. at the 710 Main Theatre.  Performances will remain there through this Sunday.

--Colin Dabkowski

"Being Behan," through April 14 in the Irish Classical Theatre Company's Andrews Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: "It is a treat to witness this production, another full-circle collaboration that celebrates the connectedness between two sets of two brothers, and two countries, that are joined, every few years or so, on the stage. What a view." --Ben Siegel

Michael Blasdell, Luther Nelson, Maria Droz and Jimmy Janowski star in Buffalo United Artists "L'Imitation of Life."

"L'Imitation of Life," through April 6 in the Buffalo United Artists Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "The latest Janowski-Warfield camp-tasia is perhaps the greatest achievement in the eye-roll-inducing, pun-laden, innuendo-ridden brand of camp that BUA and Janowski have been honing for much of the past two decades. I don’t think there was a two-second stretch during the entire production during which the sold-out opening night crowd did not sound like a particularly exasperated Hollywood laugh track." --Colin Dabkowski

The City of Buffalo, under pressure from arts organizations to deliver on its promise of funding for cultural and anti-violence groups, released its long-delayed funding application this week. The city has given groups until April 5 to apply for the funding. Here's a copy of the application, which lays out the city's requirements for applicants. 

According to Arts Services Initiative Executive Director Tod A. Kniazuk, the city did not send the application out to all eligible organziations. Kniazuk also said that the city will not employ the inordinately useful Cultural Data Project, an initiative of the Pew Charitable Trusts specifically designed for situations like the current funding delay at City Hall and to depoliticize the cultural funding process.

ASI is sending the application out to all eligible groups today.

"So, there you have it," Kniazuk wrote in an email. "A two week turnaround for the organizations who were lucky enough to find out about it."

Continue reading "UPDATE: Buffalo releases long-delayed arts funding application" »

"Sister Act: A Divine Musical Comedy," through Sunday in Shea's Performing Arts Center. ★★★

From the review: "If you take offense to the use of the word 'sex' within 500 yards or so of the word 'nun,' 'Sister Act' is not the show for you. But take it from a lapsed Catholic who spent his share of time in the confessional: Seeing this show –prancing altar boys, pelvic-thrusting sisters and all – is likely to be worth whatever penance your priest can dream up." --Colin Dabkowski

Michael Blasdell, Luther Nelson, Maria Droz and Jimmy Janowski star in Buffalo United Artists "L'Imitation of Life."

"L'Imitation of Life," through April 6 in the Buffalo United Artists Theatre. ★★★★

From the review: "The latest Janowski-Warfield camp-tasia is perhaps the greatest achievement in the eye-roll-inducing, pun-laden, innuendo-ridden brand of camp that BUA and Janowski have been honing for much of the past two decades. I don’t think there was a two-second stretch during the entire production during which the sold-out opening night crowd did not sound like a particularly exasperated Hollywood laugh track." --Colin Dabkowski

Jacob Kahn and Arin Lee Dandes star in Theatre of Youth's "The Borrowers."

"The Borrowers," through March 24 in Theatre of Youth's Allendale Theatre. ★★★½

From the review: " 'The Borrowers' is a clever mix of action, love and loss, family and some fright. TOY’s audiences know an interesting story when they see and hear one and except for some talky moments here and there, causing a few cases of the fidgets, they were mostly rapt at a recent matinee. Director Meg Quinn’s technical crew -– the ingenious set designer Kenneth Shaw, sound and music creator Chet Popiolkowski, lighting designer John Rickus, puppeteer Adam Kreutinger -– deserve high honors for their wizardry. It even snowed once. Seems that there is no challenge too large for this inventive team." --Ted Hadley