Review: NEXT TO NORMAL at MusicalFare
by Michael Rabice - March 07, 2025
Broadway's great leading lady Elaine Stritch once corrected herself when talking about musicals, when she was describing a Broadway show as a 'musical comedy.' 'Every musical was called a musical comedy in my day,' she quipped. Well, times have changed, and the Pultizer Prize winning musical NEXT ...
Review: THE WIZ at Shea's Buffalo Theatre
by Michael Rabice - March 05, 2025
Everything OZ continues these days. L Frank Baum would be flabbergasted to think that his 1900 novel 'THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ' would be as popular, if not MORE popular, in 2025. The endless fascination with the story of young Dorothy being whisked away by a twister from her home in Kansas to th...
Review: THE LOVED ONES at Irish Classical Theatre
by Michael Rabice - February 24, 2025
When worlds collide, drama ensues. And in the new play THE LOVED ONES by Erica Murray, 4 women meet under the most unusual of circumstances. Buffalo's Irish Classical Theatre is presenting the North American Premiere of this 2023 play. And as can be expected, the dark subjects of death, remorse, unw...
Review: & JULIET at Shea's Buffalo Theatre
by Michael Rabice - November 20, 2024
Everything old is new again. That saucy playwright William Shakespeare continues to ignite audience's imagination, with two separate shows in Buffalo this month alone. But wait, not really his own plays, but plays based on the Bard's own writing. SOMETHING ROTTEN at Musicalfare has would be competit...
Review: WITCH at Road Less Traveled Theater
by Michael Rabice - November 18, 2024
With a penchant for the cutting edge and often obscure, Road Less Traveled Productions has programmed Jen Silverman's dark comedy WITCH in it's regional premiere. Silverman is now represented on Broadway with the 2 person show THE ROOMMATE with the unlikely duo of Patti LuPone and Mia Farrow. Thi...
Review: SOMETHING ROTTEN at Musicalfare
by Michael Rabice - November 16, 2024
Something hilarious is playing out on stage of Musicalfare Theatre in their raucously funny production of SOMETHING ROTTEN. It’s a daring title that befits the silly musical that’s only purpose is to amuse....
Review: 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at 2nd Generation Theatre
by Michael Rabice - November 05, 2024
An utterly charming afternoon of fun perfectly sums up THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, now playing at Shea's Smith Theatre. Second Generation Theatre Company has a track record of presenting quality productions in this cozy theatre, and they continue to produce at a very high level...
Review: MY FAIR LADY at Shaw Festival
by Michael Rabice - October 21, 2024
MY FAIR LADY is quite obviously the most perfect choice of a musical that the SHAW FESTIVAL could program and this 2024 musical offering is a delicious delight, sure to please. It plays through December 22, 2024 and is the perfect excuse to visit Niagara on the Lake for the holiday season....