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Theater preview
ICTC art by Michael Gelen.
Looks like the theater season is off to a great start, as many of my top picks for the season are occurring this month. In alphabetical order, here’s what I’m particularly looking forward to in September and beyond.
The Cant
Irish Classical Theatre Company, September 9–October 3
It’s not enough that Shay Linehan’s original script beat an impressive field of over 100 applicants in the Irish Classical’s McGuire International Playwriting Competition. The comedy-drama features Patrick Moltane (ICTC’s Philadelphia, Here I Come! and Studio Arena’s Beauty Queen of Leenane) and Brian Mysliwy (The Servant of Two Masters) along with local faves Josephine Hogan, Katie White, and Tom Zindle. This promises to showcase genuine and intriguing glimpses of modern Irish culture that we don’t often see.
In A Dark, Dark House
New Phoenix Theatre, September 9–October 9
On the strength of Neil LaBute’s The Shape of Things, which spawned two interesting college productions at UB and Buffalo State in recent years, I’m recommending his drama about two brothers trying to overcome sexual and emotional abuse. The theme also resonates with some of New Phoenix’s past work (The Pillowman, Blackbird), so I have a good idea of the moody, atmospheric theater we’re going to get.
The Last Days of Judas Iscariot
Road Less Traveled Productions, April 22–May 22
This is almost a given. Despite not winning a Tony Award this year, Stephen McKinley Henderson is a prize in and of himself. His performance in Jitney at Studio Arena years ago still triggers fond memories, and the chance to see him perform on a Buffalo stage should be grasped with both hands. The facts that he starred in Last Days’ original off-Broadway production and that the play was written by the provocative Stephen Adly Guirgis (Jesus Hopped the “A” Train) are merely additional incentives.
Rock ’N’ Roll
Kavinoky Theatre, March 4–April 3
The Kavinoky will always find a place among my top picks. In this season rife with crowd pleasers, the theater is also offering a couple of challenging dramas—Rock ’N’ Roll by Tom Stoppard and Third, Wendy Wasserstein’s final play. It’s a close call, but I’m going with Stoppard’s intellectually stimulating exploration of art and communism on both practical and philosophical levels. My head spins at the thought, but I’m sure the dizziness will be worthwhile.
Ruined
Ujima Theatre, September 17–October 10
Ruined tackles the painful and brutal subject of rape and torture in the civil war-torn Democratic Republic of Congo. Winner of the 2009 Pulitzer Prize, Lynn Nottage’s drama was inspired by interviews with refugees. Coming off of the powerful Exonerated at the end of last season, Ujima is re-establishing itself as the leader in presenting socially relevant theater.
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Shining City
Irish Classical Theatre Company, April 28–May 22
Though I’m drawn to playwright Conor McPherson’s surname (no relation, trust me), it’s his work that gets him on my list. ICTC’s 2001–02 production of The Weir haunted me long after I left the theater due to its unconventional spookiness and expert delivery. I expect this 2006 Tony-nominated play, set in a therapist’s office, to feature his distinctive brand of Irish storytelling, deftly told by the ICTC crew.
Spring Awakening
UB Center for the Arts, March 31
I admit it. I’m addicted to the score of this 2007 musical, which won eight Tony Awards (out of eleven nominations). Based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 play, this controversial coming-of-age story’s use of rock music made it all the more provocative. Nevertheless, I think this type of bold, contemporary theater is what will keep the artform alive into the future. It represents the musical’s next, natural evolutionary step after Rent.
[title of show]
MusicalFare Theatre, January 26–March 6
Another thoroughly contemporary musical, [title of show] is a charming and original show about two unknown composers putting together a musical with the help of two friends. It’s fun, creative, and delightfully simple with a catchy score featuring songs like “A Way Back to Then” and the especially clever “Nine People’s Favorite Thing.”
Working
O’Connell and Company, September 23–October 17
Featuring the music of Stephen Schwartz of Wicked, Godspell, and Pippin fame, among others, this 1978 show is a theatrical curiosity. Based on a Studs Terkel book chronicling the lives of American workers, Schwartz’s adaptation includes contributions from James Taylor and Mary Rodgers (daughter of Richard) and has been revised a couple of times. His latest crack includes two new songs by Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights).
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Image courtesy of Shea’s Performing Arts Center. |
Young Frankenstein
Shea’s Performing Arts Center, March 22–27
Even though I’m inclined to pick the return of Wicked at Shea’s, to be fair, I have to go with the new Mel Brooks musical. With the team behind The Producers also crafting this comedy, it’s a sure bet for a night of humorous entertainment. To be fair again, I can’t expect it to be The Producers, but it tied with Xanadu as winner of the 2008 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New Broadway Musical, and that’s good enough for me.
Also playing
Buffalo re-pat Shaun McLaughlin has “reinterpreted” his graphic novel Cheapjack Shakespeare for the theater. The Alt Theatre production Cheapjack Shakespeare: The Non-Musical is part of “an experiment in integrated media,” which started as a movie script but is currently being serialized online and offered for sale through Amazon.com.
The graphic novel is a comedy about a college Shakespeare company and its efforts to produce Richard III. The press release says the stage version is not a direct adaptation. Though it relates to the print/online version, “it’s a play about a company putting on a play to the best of their ability,” McLaughlin says. “Like Richard III, it’s a play about ambition.”
Directed by Drew McCabe, Cheapjack Shakespeare plays from September 9 to October 3 and features Kristin Bentley, Arin Lee Dandes, Daniel Morris, and McLaughlin. “I didn’t want to direct it,” he admits, “but it was too close for me to let go entirely.”
The Alleyway is starting the season with their Mookie Cranks A Tater, a comedy for adults that won their 2009 Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition. It runs September 9 to October 2.
Lisa Ludwig reminds me that we have a musical “war of the sexes” this fall: Shout! The Mod Musical (MusicalFare, September 8–October 17) is a revue featuring five females performing English music from the 1960s, while Forever Plaid (Kavinoky, September 10–October 10) represents harmonizing males from the 1950s. Both are sure to bring back memories and get toes tapping.
Over at UB, the Center For the Arts is presenting once again legendary performer Colm Wilkinson (Les Miserables, The Phantom of the Opera) in concert on September 27 at 7:30 pm. Miss it at your peril.
Darwin McPherson is theater previewer for Buffalo Spree and director of corporate communications at WNED.
