BWW Reviews: Buffalo's 'Art in a Box' - The First Half of Their Season

In the Buffalo, New York area we are rich with theater and the arts.

In the coming articles I will attempt to share these events and the many talented people involved with these events.

I will introduce you to Actresses, Actors, Poets, Writers, Directors, Technical people, the behind a show people, Visual Artist, Audience members and the Shows!

One such Theater that is consistently growing is that of American Repertory Theater of Western New York. ART of WNY has dubbed this season as "ART Inside the Box". As well it should be.

Let's be honest. It's the basement of a church. A basement. A box.

What you realize once you step into this basement is how soon you forget this one insignificant fact.

You are quickly drawn into the off off off broadway world that may remind you of the days where you may see playwrights and directors chain smoking over a script that would keep you riveted over its raw edge and vulnerability. It will give you the mood of a theater as we imagine in a film noir movie from the 1940's or something Sam Shepherd would live in while he sweats over a new production.

Headed by Artistic Director Matthew LaChiusa this company pushes through whatever theater adversity that is thrown at them. After several venue changes over the last seven years ART of WNY finally landed in this "box" on their feet and running. No breathing time. Moved into this dingy, dirty and musty basement in the summer of 2013 and by August started rehearsal s for this season's first production.

The season began with "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson." A musical thought by some in the theater community that ART/WNY couldn't pull it off.

They did. They packed houses and received critical raves.

The second show was "Little Robert". An original play written by local playwright Mark Humphrey.

A new venue and they do an original non-established play?

They did and with again packed houses and critical raves.

In October and November "steel bellow publishing" joined them and had poetry readings with full houses.

Sound familiar?

In December ART co-produced, with another theater company, a two weekend Holiday production and then ventured back into the world of literary readings when "No Frills Publishing" did an author's night.

It's January and "Women at ART" will perform January 24th and 25th.

Sharon R. Amos, Janna Willoughby-Lohr aka MC Vendetta, Shawnell Tillery, Nava Fader, Sinead Tyrone, Tara Heavern, and Sara Marie Ries, Hosted by Kim Piazza

These seven amazing lady poets will perform their own material hosted by the talented Kim Piazza.

These ladies are some of the finest writers and performers in their community.

Kim, a local actress and director, is no stranger to the stage. She will guide these two nights with her beautiful style, wit and class.

And it's only January for ART!

Friday, January 24th and Saturday, January 25th at 8pm

"Women at ART"

Episcopal Church of the Ascension

American Repertory Theater of WNY

16 Linwood Avenue (corner of North St.)

Buffalo, NY 14209

716-634-1102

http://www.artofwny.org/

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