Curtain Up! is set to return to the downtown Main Street corridor on September 16, bringing with it all of the fanfare, the spectacular shows, the performances, and everything else that has become associated with top notch WNY theater over the years.
This year’s Curtain Up! is the first time since 2019 that the free street celebration will be held in person, due to the pandemic. But that’s not the only reason that this year will be special. Celebrated Dublin born actor Vincent O’Neill will be inducted into the Plaza of Stars. O’Neill has become a theater mainstay since first performing in Buffalo with his brother in 1985. He has been integral in shaping and molding the Irish Classical Theatre Company into what it is today. His star will be unveiled on Monday, September 12 at 5:30 pm. All are welcome to attend.
“We have been waiting for this moment,” says Theatre District Association President, Chris J Handley. “It is as much a continued celebration of our diverse community coming back as it is a celebration of theatre.”
The Curtain Up! 2022 Schedule
As always, Curtain Up! is a “make your own” event. Select a place to dine, get tickets for any of a wide variety of shows, and then experience free entertainment on the street in the Theater District. There is no formal gala dinner this year.
Act I – Theatre Performances
8:00 PM – Curtains rise simultaneously at all twelve participating area theaters. Advance reservations/purchases are recommended.
Act II – Free Street Party
10 PM -12:00 Midnight. When the curtains fall, the free Theatre District street party goes into high gear. Outdoor entertainment will feature a wide variety of music and specialty acts.
A special thank you to the City of Buffalo Public Works Special Events Advisory Committee and the Buffalo Police Department and SWAT team who will be on site that evening.
Curtain Up!
The Lineup Of Curtain Up! 2022 Theatrical Performances (Act I)
(All Curtain Up! Theatre Performances on Friday, September 16 begin at 8:00 PM)
Alleyway Theatre
1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-852-2600 | www.alleyway.com
THE MAGNOLIA BALLET
By Terry Guest
THE MAGNOLIA BALLET is a Southern Gothic fable that melds high drama, dance, poetry, and spectacle to explore masculinity, racism, and the love between a queer kid and his father.
(Run dates: Sep. 9–Oct. 5 with Opening night on Sep. 14)
Regular $42, Under 30 $30
BABUSHKA!
Starring Todd Benzin and Don Gervasi
BABUSHKA! is WNY’s most celebrated long-form improv team of Benzin and Gervasi. With one suggestion from the audience, they create an entire evening of on-the-spot performance and comedy. With over 50 years of improv comedy experience combined, BABUSHKA! has been a WNY favorite since 2010.
(Run dates: last Friday and Saturday of every month)
Regular $20, Student $10
Irish Classical Theatre Company
625 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203 | 716-853-ICTC (4282) | www.irishclassical.com
DOUBT, A PARABLE
By John Patrick Shanley
Doubt, A Parable follows the fallout after Sister Aloysius, a Bronx Catholic school principal in 1964, suspects a young priest of having inappropriate relations with a male student. Through 90 uninterrupted minutes, audiences will delve into the murky waters of provocation and moral uncertainty.
(Run dates: Sep. 16 – Oct. 9)
All seats $49
The Kavinoky Theatre
320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY 14201 | 716-829-7668 | www.kavinokytheatre.com
ROCK OF AGES
Book by Chris D’Arienzo, music by various artists
Directed & Choreographed by Lynne Kurdziel Formato A small-town girl and a city boy meet on the Sunset Strip while pursuing their Hollywood dreams. This hit musical features songs from the 1980’s including “Don’t Stop Believin”, “Shadows of the Night”, and “I’ve Been Waiting for a Girl Like You”. You’ll be playing air guitar and singing along!
(Run dates: Sep. 2-Sep. 25)
$49/general, $44/seniors, military. Discounts available for students and groups
MusicalFare Theatre
4380 Main Street, Amherst, NY 14226 | 716-839-8540 | www.musicalfare.com
NICE WORK IF YOU CAN GET IT
Book by Joe DiPietro & based on material by Guy Bolton and P. G. Wodehouse, music by George Gershwin and lyrics by Ira Gershwin
A hilarious new screwball comedy, Nice Work If You Can Get It pokes fun at the Prohibition era in a clash of elegant socialites and boorish bootleggers, all set to the glorious songs of George and Ira Gershwin. Highlights from the score include “Fascinating Rhythm,” “Let’s Call The Whole Thing Off,” “Someone To Watch Over Me,” “Sweet and Low Down,” “Delishious” and the title song.
(Run dates: Sep. 7–Oct. 9)
$50/general, $17/student
O’Connell & Company at Shea’s Smith
654 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-847-0850
CONFESSIONS OF THE REVEREND MOTHER
Conceived by Mary Kate O’Connell & Joey Bucheker, Music & lyrics by Dan Goggin
There is a shortage of Roman Catholic nuns and Reverend Mother, Sister Mary Regina LSOH, has been asked by Pope Francis for help in this Nunsense divinely inspired musical.
(Run dates: Sep. 9 – Sep. 25)
$38/general
Road Less Traveled Productions
456 Main Street Buffalo NY 14202 | 716-629-3069
MYSTERIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
Written by Michael Mitnick
Inspired by The New Yorker article Mysterious Circumstances: The Strange Death of a Sherlock Holmes Fanatic by David Grann, the play centers around the true story of the mysterious death of Richard Lancelyn Green, the world’s foremost scholar on Sherlock Holmes. After spending two decades searching for the missing papers of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, Green came close to unlocking the secrets behind Holmes’ creator when he tracked down an elusive box which was said to be cursed.
(Run dates: Sep. 15-Oct. 16)
$45/general, $25/student
Shea’s 710 Theater
710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14202 | 716-847-0850
ONCE ON THIS ISLAND
Book & Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens, Music by Stephen Flaherty
A sweeping, universal tale of Ti Moune, a fearless peasant girl in search of her place in the world. Don’t miss this highly theatrical Caribbean based musical.
(Run dates: Sep. 15-Oct. 2)
Starting at $30
Starring Buffalo
Bittersweet Piano Lounge inside Hotel at the Lafayette, 391 Washington Street, Buffalo, New York 14203 | www.starringbuffalo.org
BEST FRIENDS: AN EVENING OF SONG AND DANCE WITH BROADWAY’S CAMERON ADAMS & KEVIN QUILLON
A new musical theatre revue featuring Starring Buffalo’s signature combination of Broadway, Buffalo, and student performers, presented in an immersive format at the Bittersweet Piano Lounge.
(Sep. 16)
$35
Ujima Company, Inc.
429 Plymouth Ave., Suite #2, Buffalo, NY, 14213 | 716-883-0380 | www.ujimatheatre.org
CHURCH AND STATE
By Jason Odell Williams
“Church & State” takes place three days before one U.S. Senator’s bid for re-election – in the wake of another school shooting. The tragedy results in a life-altering crisis of faith, triggering an off-the-cuff comment which sends the entire campaign into a tailspin.
(Run dates: Sep 16 – Oct 2) $35/general, $25/senior, $15/student
The Lineup Of Curtain Up! 2022 Street Party Free Entertainment (Act II)
Buffalo Comedy Collective
Improv in the Courtyard, Alleyway Courtyard, 1 Curtain Up Alley 10 PM to midnight
Dot & Line
Explore #Moxie, thought provoking art installations all along Main Street 10 PM to midnight
George Caldwell Quartet
Grammy-Winning jazz pianist inside the Alleyway Lobby 10 PM to midnight
Griffin Kramer
Piano and sing along inside at Shea’s Bistro and Bar, 658 Main Street 10 PM to midnight
The Jay/Sharptet
Outdoors at Plaza of Stars near Main and Tupper Streets 10 PM to midnight
Mountains
Absurdist puppet theatre in Squeaky Wheel Film & Media Art Center, 617 Main Street 10 PM to midnight
Tom Makar
Guitar singer songwriter/actor extraordinaire outside The Irish Classical, 625 Main Street 10 PM to midnight
Zydeco
Laissez le bon temps rouler at the Bijou Grille, 643 Main Street 10 PM to midnight
It’s all free and everyone is welcome!
The Lineup Of Curtain Up! 2022 Associated Events & Food Trucks
The Curtain Up! experience includes other quality entertainment at various locations in the Theatre District
The Bijou Grille
643 Main Street, Buffalo, NY 14203
ZYDECO ON THE DOORSTEP
10 PM to 1 AM
Free
Buffalo Comedy Collective
Improv in the Courtyard
10 PM to Midnight
Free
Dot & Line
Explore #Moxie, thought provoking art installations all along Main Street
10 PM to Midnight
Free
Hostel Buffalo-Niagara
667 Main St., Buffalo, NY 14203
Opening reception in BOX Gallery by artist Ani Hoover
Entertainment in Hostel and a Piñata!
10 PM to Midnight
Free
Participating Food Trucks & Food For Sale
Hearth and Press House of Munch Dirty Bird Chicken N’ Waffles The Cheesy Chick
Curtain Up! 2022 sponsor M&T Bank _____________________________________________________________________________________________________
Curtain Up! is produced in association with… City of Buffalo, Hon. Byron Brown, Mayor, Buffalo Place, Inc., Michael T. Schmand, Executive Director
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