Buffalo Takes Center Stage
The diversity and abundance of performances, put on by nearly 25 professional theaters, makes it easy to find something to see in and around Buffalo. The MusicalFare Theatre stages new and classic musicals. Torn Space Theatre breaks ground with the avant-garde. At the Alleyway Theatre the work of up-and-coming playwrights are on the marquee.
Shows & Musicals for Every Season
The Theatre of Youth’s plays for young people unfold at a restored movie house in the historic Allentown neighborhood. See productions rooted in African American traditions at the Ujima Theatre Company. In the summertime, join the crowd bringing picnics to sit on the lawn and take in the Bard’s comedies and tragedies at a Shakespeare in Delaware Park performance.
From Contemporary to the Classics
West of the city, the Lancaster Opera House continues a tradition of live entertainment that began in 1897. The Kavinoky Theatre’s restored 1903-recital hall on the D’Youville University campus is an elegant, vintage setting. Baroque grandeur suits the Broadway shows at Shea’s Performing Arts Center, a gilded former movie palace on Main Street. For a more intimate production, consider its neighbor on the block, the Irish Classical Theatre Company. Performances suit any proclivity – from murder mystery comedy to a Stephen King movie-turned-play, a Jane Austen interpretation, golden-era shows like Guys and Dolls and the cutting edge. Let us entertain you.
Buffalo: It’s Showtime!
A glimpse into our vibrant theater scene
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Take in the Theater & Entertainment District
Be in the heart of the action downtown
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Perfectly Tuned: Kleinhans Music Hall
You have to experience this amazing concert hall!
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Harold Arlen
Buffalo’s Great American Songwriter
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Excellent Pairings for Dinner @ A Show
An evening of delicious food and entertainment
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Architectural Spotlight: Shea’s Performing Arts Center
A touchstone for downtown’s exciting revitalization
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Erie County Theater Companies
With 22 professional theater companies in the Buffalo area, there’s no shortage of show-stopping performances to enjoy. View some of our favorites below!
Buffalo: It’s Showtime!
Alleyway Theatre
American Repertory Theatre of Western New York
Brazen-Faced Varlots
Buffalo United Artists
Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre
First Look Buffalo Theatre Company
Irish Classical Theatre Company
Jewish Repertory Theatre
Lancaster Opera House
MusicalFare Theatre
O’Connell & Company
Paul Robeson Theatre
Raices Theatre Company
Road Less Traveled Productions
Second Generation Theatre
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
Shea’s 710 Theatre
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
Theatre of Youth
Torn Space Theater
Ujima Theatre Company
Upcoming Shows & Musicals
Plaza of Stars Induction Ceremony Honoring Meg Quinn
09/15
Shea’s 710 Theatre
The Theatre District Association of WNY is proud to announce that longtime arts leader and children’s theatre pioneer Meg Quinn…
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Featured Event
Curtain Up! Buffalo
09/18
Theatre District
Celebrate at the biggest outdoor party in buffalo on Main street between Tupper & Chippewa! Act I: Cocktail Kickoff…
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A Rebel Revisited: Movement Variations Inspired by Martha Graham
09/18
Torn Space Theater
An original 1930 film of Lamentation performed by the masterful Martha Graham, will be followed by three commissioned dance pieces in response…
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Buffalo Murals Bus Tour: The Art of Józef Slawinski
09/18
Assumption of the Blessed Virgin RC Church
Jozef Slawinski, 1905-1983, was a Polish-born and Italian-trained mural artist. His favored medium was sgrafitto, a technique involving two or…
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Curtain Up Laughs
09/18
Alleyway Theatre
Curtain Up Laughs starring Terre King is a special live comedy taping celebrating Buffalo’s Curtain Up weekend. Join Buffalo comedian…
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Juicy and Delicious
09/18
Ujima Theatre
The play that inspired the movie Beasts of the Southern Wild. Hushpuppy lives with her wild, invincible father on the edge…
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The Da Vinci Code
09/18
Road Less Traveled Productions
Directed by David Oliver Starring Chris Avery, Lissette DeJesús-Wrafter, Dave Marciniak, Johnny Barden, David Lundy, Nick Stevens, Russell Holt, Priscilla…
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Golden Girls Drag Brunch
09/20
Helium Comedy Club
Thank you for being a friend! Brunch with Dorothy’s strong wit, Blanche’s Southern charm, Rose’s hilarious stories, and Sophia’s unforgettable…
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MOTHER. DAUGHTER. FATHER. SON
09/21
Shea’s Smith Theatre
2nd Gen’s tenth season of free readings continues on Monday, September 21st at 7pm at Shea’s Smith Theatre with: MOTHER. DAUGHTER.…
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UnScripted: Comedy Improv Night
09/23
Road Less Traveled Productions
Join the cast of some of Buffalo’s best improv talents on Wednesday nights as they improvise an entire play, all…
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1776: The Musical
09/25
Lancaster Opera House
Step into the sweltering summer of 1776, where America’s founders argue, bargain, and risk everything to decide whether independence is…
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The American Side 10 Year Anniversary Projection on Marine A
09/26
duende at Silo City
Join us in celebration of the 10 Year Anniversary of the film The American Side. Please bring your own chair…
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Shea’s Buffalo 100th Anniversary Centennial Gala
10/03
Shea’s Buffalo
Will you join us on Stage for this historic occasion? This year marks an extraordinary moment for Shea’s our 100th…
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It’s a Mxtery in The Kingdom: Drag Mystery Dinner Experience
10/04
The Caz
Join us for a Halloween party with the Kingdom’s most distinguished guests… what could possibly go wrong? Step into an…
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2025 Buffalo International Film Festival
10/08
Various Locations
Every Fall, BIFF screens over 150 features and short films from around the world, combining festival favorites with unique discoveries…
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Mobile Shakespeare Lab presents “Macbeth”
10/08
Katharine Cornell Theatre
In the fall of 2026, three college students in the United States are struggling. With mounting discourse and legislative action…
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Humboldt Parkway Documentary
10/12
North Park Theatre
A new documentary film titled Humboldt (or Humboldt Parkway), produced by Stephen Rosenthal, Stephen McKinley Henderson, and Jillian Hanesworth, will…
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Murder in the Cellar – A 1920s Murder Mystery!
10/20
The Caz
A 1920s Murder Mystery at The Caz: Taking you back to the ’20s on the 20th! Step inside Estelle Smith’s…
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Sweeney Todd
10/22
Shea’s 710 Theatre
Attend Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s dark, witty, and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder, and revenge, featuring everyone’s favorite…
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THE HAUNTING OF HOOVERTON HOTEL
10/24
Alleyway Theatre
The silliest spooky season comedy you’ve ever seen. Four college kids. A broken-down van. A dark and stormy night. A…
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