Published: September 10, 2009 10:51 am      

THEATER: Curtain Up! returns

By Phil Dzikiy



As another summer comes to a close, the lights are ready to go up again in Buffalo.

Fall is the start of theater season in Western New York, and the 28th anniversary of Curtain Up! is the unofficial starting point. The Friday night celebration will feature 16 different productions at participating theaters in Buffalo’s Theatre District.

In addition to the theater productions and the event’s annual Creative Black-Tie Gala Dinner, Main Street will be hopping from 10 p.m. to 1 a.m. as after-parties and street entertainment step outside.

Here’s a look at the 16 Curtain Up! performances set for Friday night. All performances start at 8 p.m. and take place in Buffalo unless otherwise notified.

“The Careful Glover” Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley

Saul Elkin — longtime chair of the University at Buffalo’s Theatre Department — portrays Shakespeare, just before the bard’s death. This production is a world premiere of the 2008 Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition winner by Jim Baines.

“The Pipes are Calling: An Elegy to Dan Higgins, Sr.” BUA Theatre, 119 Chippewa St.

Playwright Matthew Crehan Higgins wrote and stars in this tribute to his grandfather, former Buffalo Common Council member Dan Higgins. The younger Higgins hopes to make up for lost time as his grandfather’s memories fade.

“Blood Brothers, a Musical”

Irish Classical Theatre Company at the Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St.

A longtime production in London (21 years and counting), this award-winning musical focuses on twins separated at birth who fall in love with the same girl.

“I Hate Hamlet” Lecture Hall Theatre, Main Building, Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle

Paul Rudnik’s play centers on a young actor who is offered to play Hamlet, though he hates Hamlet. The ghost of John Barrymore — known for his stage portrayal of Hamlet — shows up in his apartment. Wackiness ensues?

“A Few Good Men” Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave.

Aaron Sorkin’s play about Marines accused of murder was first produced in 1989, predating the famous 1992 Rob Reiner film. Another Sorkin production, “The Farnsworth Invention,” was a big success for the Kavinoky last season.

“2 Pianos, 4 Hands” MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst

Two actors as two boys with two grand pianos. Comedy and piano showmanship are the focal points of this musical.

“Freud and the Sandman” The New Phoenix Theatre On The Park, 95 Johnson Park

A figure steals the eyes of children in this play, which features puppets, interestingly enough.

“Revenge of a King” Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave.

Three words: Hip-hop Hamlet. Original music accompanies this Shakespearean tale of an aspiring hip-hop musician.

“Grenadine” Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St.

Another Curtain Up! production from a local playwright, Neil Wechsler’s “Grenadine” features four friends vying for the heart of Grenadine, with ups and downs along the way.

“Eclectic Improv Company” Shea’s, 658 Main St.

More traditional productions dot the other theaters on Friday night, but it’s comedy improv time at Shea’s. Families take note: Eclectic Improv’s show is always clean.

“24 with Maggie” Theatre Plus, Main Street Cabaret

Another world premiere from a local playwright, this play goes through a day in the life of Maggie Bauer through a series of shorts.

“AREA” Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave.

The Curtain Up! press release describes “AREA” as such: “ ‘AREA’ makes the smallest observations mythic through movement of people and objects in sculptured space by use of light, sound and images as two women confront their roles in a visceral crime scene.” We’ll leave it at that.

“Bartenders” Theatre of Youth, Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St.

A one-man performance starring and written by Louis Mustillo of South Buffalo. Mustillo is ready to retire his production, which features portrayals of six memorable bartenders.

“Twilight” Manny Fried Theatre, 255 Great Arrow Ave.

A one-woman performance tells the story of the 1991 Los Angeles riots.

“Electra” Alt Theatre, 255 Great Arrow Ave. (3rd floor)

An all-female version of the Greek tragedy by Euripides.

“The Machine Stops" 5200 S. Park Ave., Hamburg

Buffalo Laboratory Theatre features this play, as two academics find themselves in the middle ages.