Blue Xmas
2024-12-06 19:30 - 2024-12-21 21:00 (America/New_York) | Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Avenue, Buffalo, NY, 14201, United States
After a wildly successful showing as part of Alleyway Theatre’s “AlleyWorks” workshop initiative, D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre is thrilled to present the very first full-scale run of this side-splitting yet sentimental, new holiday musical this coming December!
From the brilliant creative mind of Charmagne Chi, one of Buffalo’s favorite theater performers and comediennes, take part in a “Christmas Spectacular” like no other!
Imagine those retro Christmas TV specials, but a bit more saucy and irreverent, and a whole lot more fun! In true Chi fashion, you’ll be crying laughing one minute and completely drawn in with heartfelt sentiment the next. Don’t miss your chance to catch the limited run of this uniquely unconventional and unexpectedly heartwarming, original Christmas musical.

The Nutcracker
2024-12-06 19:00 - 23:00 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
The Nutcracker at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a magical holiday tradition that brings the classic ballet to life with stunning choreography, beautiful costumes, and an enchanting score by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky. Set in a whimsical world of holiday wonder, the story follows young Clara as she embarks on a fantastical journey with her Nutcracker Prince to defeat the Mouse King and visit the Land of Sweets. With its iconic scenes, including the graceful Dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy and the energetic Russian Trepak, the performance captures the spirit of the season and delights audiences of all ages. The production at Shea’s offers a festive, family-friendly experience, making it a cherished part of the holiday season in Buffalo.

The Wizard of Oz
2024-12-06 19:30 | Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster, NY, 14086, United States
The Wizard of Oz

RSC Version
By

L. Frank Baum

Background Music by
Herbert Stothart

Orchestration by
Larry Wilcox

Music and Lyrics by
Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg

Dance and Vocal Arrangements by
Peter Howard

Adapted by
John Kane for the Royal Shakespeare Company

We’re off to see the wizard! Immortalized in the classic 1939 film, this beloved tale, in which a Kansas farm girl travels over the rainbow, has entertained audiences for generations.

Based upon the Classic Motion Picture owned by Turner Entertainment Co. and distributed in all media by Warner Bros.

Witch
2024-12-05 19:30 | Road Less Traveled Theater, 465 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14205, United States
Witch

By Jen Silverman

November 7 – December 8

Directed by Scott Behrend
Starring Wendy Hall, Chris Hatch*, David Marciniak, Alex Anthony Garcia, Johnny Barden and Renee Hawthorne
*member of Actors’ Equity Association.

Purchase Tickets

Digital Playbill

A charming devil arrives in the quiet village of Edmonton to bargain for the souls of its residents in exchange for their darkest wishes. Elizabeth should be his easiest target, having been labeled a “witch” and cast out by the town, but her soul is not so readily bought. As the devil returns to convince her – and then returns again – unexpected passions flare, alliances are formed, and the village is forever changed. An inventive retelling of a Jacobean drama, this sharp, subversive fable debates how much our souls are worth when hope is hard to come by.

Troupe Vertigo Holiday Show
2024-12-10 19:30 | Kleinhans Music Hall, 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo, NY, 14201, United States
Troupe Vertigo Holiday Show
Fernanda Lastra, conductor
This holiday season, the BPO presents a captivating performance unlike any other, featuring the awe-inspiring Troupe Vertigo. Led by Assistant Conductor Fernanda Lastra, this special concert combines the thrill of cirque acrobatics with the beauty of live orchestral music, creating a spellbinding holiday spectacle. As Troupe Vertigo’s aerialists and acrobats perform their gravity-defying feats, the BPO will enchant with a selection of timeless holiday favorites, weaving together a performance that captures the magic and wonder of the season. Perfect for families and audiences of all ages, the Troupe Vertigo Holiday Show promises an evening of mesmerizing artistry, both in the air and through the music, celebrating the joy and wonder of the holiday season in spectacular fashion.

Swan Lake
2024-12-10 19:30 - 22:00 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
The **Shea’s Swan Lake performance** refers to a production of the famous classical ballet *Swan Lake*, typically performed at Shea’s Performing Arts Center in Buffalo, New York. This iconic ballet, composed by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, tells the story of Princess Odette, who is transformed into a swan by an evil sorcerer’s curse, and her tragic love story with Prince Siegfried. Shea’s often hosts touring ballet companies, offering an opportunity for local audiences to experience world-class performances.
The production typically features intricate choreography, elaborate costumes, and live orchestral music, capturing the emotional depth and beauty of the ballet. The *Swan Lake* performance is known for its breathtaking pas de deux and the dual role of Odette/Odile, symbolizing both purity and deception. The performances at Shea’s would aim to deliver the full grandeur and emotional weight of this timeless ballet.

Thorgy Does Christmas
2024-12-11 08:00 - 17:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Thorgy Does Christmas at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a festive and fabulous holiday show starring Thorgy Thor, a charismatic and talented drag performer known for her appearances on RuPaul’s Drag Race. In this holiday-themed extravaganza, Thorgy brings her signature mix of humor, camp, and showmanship to the stage, delivering a high-energy celebration of Christmas with a unique drag twist.
Expect a night filled with dazzling costumes, hilarious comedy, and live music as Thorgy performs both classic Christmas songs and unexpected holiday hits. The show is a blend of drag, comedy, and heartfelt moments, with Thorgy’s witty banter and larger-than-life personality providing plenty of laughs and festive cheer. Thorgy Does Christmas at Shea’s is a fun, vibrant, and inclusive celebration of the holiday season, offering a one-of-a-kind experience that combines the magic of Christmas with the excitement of drag performance. Whether you’re a fan of drag or just looking for a fresh take on holiday entertainment, this show is sure to deliver a memorable and joyful night out.

The Night Before Christmas
2024-12-13 19:30 | Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue, Lancaster, NY, 14086, United States
The Night Before Christmas

By
J. Michael Landis and Jay Wollin

Set in Christmastown on a very special Christmas Eve, our locally commissioned and well-received family musical tells the story of a brother and sister who get caught up in a fun-filled adventure with a colorful cast of Christmas characters.

Girls Night! Christmas
2024-12-13 19:30 - 23:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
A Girls Night Christmas at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a fun and festive holiday show designed to celebrate the spirit of Christmas with a lively, female-centric twist. This musical revue brings together talented female performers who sing, dance, and entertain with an exciting mix of classic holiday tunes, modern Christmas hits, and plenty of humor. The show is filled with high-energy performances, dazzling costumes, and a festive atmosphere, creating the perfect setting for a girls’ night out during the holiday season.
Throughout the performance, the cast delivers playful renditions of beloved Christmas songs, often with humorous and heartwarming takes, ensuring plenty of laughs and holiday cheer. The show encourages audience participation and is all about embracing the joy of the season with your closest friends. A Girls Night Christmas at Shea’s is a vibrant and memorable way to get into the holiday spirit, offering a mix of music, comedy, and holiday magic that will leave you smiling and in the holiday mood. It’s a perfect outing for anyone looking to add some extra sparkle to their Christmas celebrations.

A Kidman Carol: A Gay Dementia on Australian Dames
2024-12-13 19:30 - 2024-12-21 19:30 | Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain up Alley, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Get into the spirit of the season … Awards Season, that is, with this inappropriate, irreverent and truly bananas take on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol.
What started off as a joke is now an irreverent comedy loosely based on Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol. Brilliant actress and Hollywood Scrooge Cate Blanchett (“Tár Humbug!”) is visited by three different spirits of fellow Aussie Nicole Kidman in order to learn the true meaning of Awards Season. A Kidman Carol is a vicious, chaotic farce that sends up Tár, The Hours, Carol, The Lord of The Rings, The Undoing, The Others, Notes on a Scandal, Blue Jasmine, Big Little Lies, and so much more from the Kidman/Blanchett canon. Ohr nohr!
‍Part of the Alleyworks Development Series‍

Christmas with C.S. Lewis
2024-12-14 14:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Christmas with C.S. Lewis
In the early years of his young adult life C S Lewis believed the story of Christ’s birth was nothing more than feel-good myth. That all changed after a particular encounter with his great friend and fellow author, J R R Tolkien. Although both men loved mythology in general, Tolkien was convinced that the Jesus myth was the one true myth. That was the start of Lewis’ journey from Atheism to Christianity. From that point on Christmas, for Lewis, took on an entirely different meaning.
Here we find him at his home near Oxford on Christmas Eve hosting a group of Americans who are Christmassing in England. They are about to experience an unforgettable assortment of Yuletide recollections which stimulates a whole range of emotions – curiosity, laughter, gladness and even some tears. Above all, they will discover how that encounter with Tolkien forever changed his Christmas celebrations.

The Lion King
2024-12-18 19:30 - 23:00 | Shea’s Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
“The Lion King” at Shea’s Performing Arts Center is a stunning Broadway production that brings Disney’s beloved animated film to life with breathtaking puppetry, elaborate costumes, and unforgettable music. The show tells the coming-of-age story of Simba, a young lion who must embrace his destiny as king of the Pride Lands after the tragic death of his father, Mufasa. With iconic songs by Elton John and Tim Rice, such as “Circle of Life,” “Can You Feel the Love Tonight,” and “Hakuna Matata,” the performance captivates audiences with its vibrant visuals and emotional depth. The production’s remarkable set design, combined with the talented cast and choreography, creates an immersive theatrical experience that has made *The Lion King* a global phenomenon, making its stop at Shea’s a must-see event for theatergoers.

Sister’s Christmas Catechism
2024-12-20 19:00 | Shea’s 710 Theater, 710 Main Street, Buffalo, NY, 14202, United States
Sister’s Christmas Catechism is a holiday mystery play about the search for the Magi’s gold that retells the nativity story. The show features a character named Sister who uses scientific tools, a choir, and audience members to create a living nativity.
