Michael Rabice

An unlikely pair creating an unlikely piece of theatre essentially sums up the new production of GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY now playing at Road Less Traveled Theater. Yes,  horror writer Stephen King has paired up with musician John (formerly Cougar) Mellencamp to write a musical. And somehow, the result is uniquely representative of both men in a most complementary fashion.

An existential 'thing' rooted in theatre of the absurd and gritty reality with undertones of self destruction and weighty Christian symbolism. That could not even begin to summarize the slick yet often perplexing production of THINGS WITH FRIENDS now completing it's run at Buffalo's Alleyway Theatre.

Sometimes people really do run away and join the circus. Author Sara Gruen had great success with that idea in her award winning novel WATER FOR ELEPHANTS, and Hollywood soon after took the story to the silver screen. Now a Broadway musical has hopped on the bandwagon and the result is often a often a captivating three ring circus of intrigue.

Starring Buffalo will produce the Pulitzer prize winning musical RENT as it’s spring production. For the first time in the company’s history, the show will be performed on the mainstage of Shea’s Buffalo Theatre for one performance only on Saturday May 9, 2026 at 2pm. 

Sometimes alchemy really happens. A blockbuster title with a perfect cast at the most appropriate time of year makes up the spectacular new production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR now playing at Shea’s 710 Theatre.

Lady Macbeth, Blanche DuBois, Medea… all are dream roles for any actress to conquer. And Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler ranks right up there with these supercharged women who dominate the stage. Kavinoky  Theatre is presenting a new version of HEDDA GABLER by Patrick Marber ( from a literal translation by Karin and Ann Bamborough).

Intrigue, angst and raw emotions run rampant in the dazzling new production of Ike Holter’s  EXIT STRATEGY now playing at Buffalo’s Road Less Traveled Theater. Against the gritty backdrop of a failing inner city Chicago High School, a staff of teachers and a lone student prepare for the demise and closure of an institution that holds lifetimes of stories and inner demons.

STARRING BUFFALO has announced auditions for local singers to join their community chorus for their upcoming production of RENT. The company produces semi-staged musicals in concert and for the first time will be taking to the stage of Shea's Buffalo Theatre on May 9, 2026 for one performance only.

When a cast list calls for grave diggers and props list call for skulls you may think you’re planning a production of HAMLET. But in this  case we have Martin McDonagh’s dark comedy A SKULL IN CONNEMARA, now playing in a winning production at Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre Company.

One of the highest grossing movie musicals of all time just happens to be that wonder hit MAMMA MIA based on the 2001  Broadway stage musical . Thought to be the most successful jukebox musical ever, the story of a young bride-to-be's quest to find out who here real dad is on the eve of her wedding is merely the springboard to launch  a musical score chock full of ABBA's greatest hits. The stage version has toured for years and is yet again on Broadway right now.

A heartfelt holiday story based on a beloved Christmas film sprinkled with iconic Irving Berlin tunes just about sums up the delightful stage musical WHITE CHRISTMAS now on stage at Shea’s 710 Theatre. Musicalfare has settled into their  new digs after a record breaking production of COME FROM AWAY. Let’s just say, their new home fits like a glove

Niagara on the Lake will always be known for it's quaint lakeside charm, full of shops, restaurants, and tourists. So it's seems perfectly fitting that the Shaw Festival presents it's last incarnation of their beloved version of Charles Dickens' A CHRISTMAS CAROL. This fresh adaptation by Festival Artistic Director Tim Carroll first was staged in 2017 in the jewel box Royal George Theatre. This 2025 edition is to be the final show ever to play this stage before it is torn down and replaced with a structure that will be rock steady for the company's future.

Never trust a wolf is sheep's clothing, as the saying goes. But in this case Mr Wolf is a college professor who harbors dark secrets, delusions and young girls in his home. This disturbing plot makes for a gripping evening of theatre in Rajiv Joseph's play MR. WOLF, now playing at Road Less Traveled Theater.

Everything Oz continues to enchant and enamor. The national touring production of WICKED landed at Shea's Buffalo Theatre this week. And like that infamous house that dropped from the sky, WICKED has an impact that rivals any of even the most famous Disney musicals. The 2003 Broadway musical was made into a two part movie and after breaking boxoffice records last year with Part I, Part II will be released this month. Audiences will no doubt clamor to the cinemas like the audiences that continue to flock to see the slick stage musical.

Broadway now has 'OH, MARY,' exploring Mary Todd Lincoln's life ( sort of!).  Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre is now presenting a fascinatingly wonderful play THIRST by Ronan Noone, where we meet the downstairs staff of Eugene O'Neill's masterpiece A LONG DAY'S JOURNEY INTO NIGHT.   

The days when old fashioned musical comedies were drawn  from classic  love stories, silly high school antics and farces will always be tried and true. But more heady topics like mental illness, Alzheimers, race relations, big business, and corrupt governments also have found a place into the uniquely American canon of musicals. A ridiculously named musical, URINETOWN, is now playing at Shea's Smith Theatre, and the fine production by Second Generation Theatre not only entertains but provides much food for thought in this time of government unrest.

Part romance novel, part heartbreak story of the ravages of Alzheimer's, Nicholas Sparks' novel THE NOTEBOOK is now a Broadway musical. No, not of  the glitzy  singing and dancing stage spectacular variety, but moreso a stage drama with music. The excellent National Touring production opened at Shea's last night, and even the most stoic of souls would be hard pressed not to feel one or more of the complex emotions that the cast works so hard to convey

A modern day Restoration Comedy with a contemporary gender fluid  slant takes to the stage in  Liz Duffy Adams' play OR, now playing at Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre. This polished production brings a modern day sensibility to a 17th century comedy of sorts. Adams pens a play that while set in the late 1600's, carries 21st century morals and social commentary. She blurs the lines between a  predestined dichotomy of living by 'either-or' constraints. Must someone be 100% chaste or else a whore, is there only good without a trifle bad in everyone. And does a play need to have an 'or' subtitle. Needless to say, everything is not a black and white situation.

A renaissance of Buffalo born theatre productions at the former Studio Arena Theatre in Buffalo continues to burnish brightly. As I sat in the crowded, newly renovated Shea's 710 Theatre, thinking how the facility had been mothballed a decade ago, Buffalo's hometown pride burst through. On afternoon when the Buffalo Bills were playing, a mix of cultures gathered for a spectacular production of DREAMGIRLS. In a joint production between Shea's 710 and the newly formed AnsariSaxon Productions, the energy was palpable both on and off stage.

'Tale as old as time,' the lyric goes in the heart warming production of Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST now playing at Shea's Buffalo Theatre. I knew I was in good hands when the sparkling new production of the beloved classic begins with Angela Lansbury's voice reciting the story that has captured children's minds for years. It was a lovely touch to settle into the familiar story,  hearing the voice of Mrs. Potts from the Disney animated film beckon us.