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
Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen
10/27
Shea’s Buffalo
Welcome to HELL’S KITCHEN, the hit musical from 17-time Grammy Award winning Alicia Keys inspired by her life, her music, and…
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Julius Caesar
10/30
Kavinoky Theatre
A bold reimagining of Shakespeare’s iconic political thriller, set in the charged atmosphere of 1960s. The fall of Julius Caesar…
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The Fourth Annual LV-Minute Shakespeare Showcase
11/07
Katharine Cornell Theatre
Theatre students Sarah Bray and Ty Burgess will host the 4th Annual Shakespeare Showcase, featuring undergraduate student performers. The informal,…
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The Great Gatsby
11/10
Shea’s Buffalo
THE PARTY’S ROARING IN BUFFALO! THE GREAT GATSBY is a “Broadway extravaganza that explodes with life and energy” (Entertainment Weekly).…
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Emerging Choreographers Showcase
11/13
Center for the Arts
Celebrating diversity in both genre and theme, Emerging Choreographers Showcase features new dance works created and performed by BA, BFA…
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Uncle Vanya
11/13
Road Less Traveled Productions
Directed by Scott Behrend Starring Todd Benzin, Tracie Lane, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Peter Palmisano, Priscilla Anker Young, Darryl Semira, Christina…
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Where We Stand
11/13
Ujima Theatre
In a town running low on compassion, an exile seeks forgiveness, forcing the community to decide between mercy or justice.…
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The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical
11/20
Center for the Arts
As the half-blood son of a Greek god, Percy Jackson has newly-discovered powers he can’t control, a destiny he doesn’t…
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THE PIGEON GETS A BIG TIME HOLIDAY EXTRAVAGANZA
11/21
Theatre of Youth (TOY)
Rolling World PremiereBased on Books and Characters by Mo WillemsScript and Lyrics by Mo Willems and Adam TobinMusic by Deborah…
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A SHERLOCK CAROL
11/27
Irish Classical Theatre Company
When a grown-up Tiny Tim asks Holmes to investigate the mysterious death of Ebenezer Scrooge, Sherlock must use his gifts…
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Disney’s Frozen
11/28
Shea’s 710 Theatre
Full of magic, humor, and a stunning musical score, this powerful tale of sisterhood, acceptance, and finding the real meaning…
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O Christmas Tea: A British Comedy
12/01
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
Fans of Monty Python, Mr. Bean, and Dr. Seuss Grab your teacups! Combining British propriety with an unabashed love for…
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MFA Dance Showcase
12/04
Katharine Cornell Theatre
The MFA Dance Showcase offers a peek into the creative process of dancemaking, featuring works in various stages of completion…
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The Nutcracker
12/04
Shea’s Buffalo
The Nutcracker is an iconic 1892 two-act classical ballet composed by Pyotr Iiyich Tchaikovsky. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and…
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A Christmas Carol
12/05
Alleyway Theatre
Dickens’ classic holiday tale brings all of the joy this season. Theatre maker Daniel F. Lendzian adapts Charles Dickens’ classic…
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The Sound of Music
12/08
Shea’s Buffalo
For 65 years, THE SOUND OF MUSIC has been one of our “favorite things.” With its timeless story and irresistibly charming score,…
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Swing into the Holidays feat. Caity Gyorgy and Christian Wiggs
12/11
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
‘Tis the season to be swinging as we take a trip down memory lane with an evening full of your…
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VIPigeon Pre-Show Workshop (Grades K-3)
12/12
Theatre of Youth (TOY)
Become a Very Important Pigeon before the curtain rises! Young theatre fans will step into the world of The Pigeon…
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The Betsy Carmichael Christmas Special
12/18
Shea’s Smith Theatre
The Betsy Carmichael Christmas Special, Buffalo’s favorite interactive holiday comedy, for a limited engagement at Shea’s Smith Theatre, December 18&20,…
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Sister’s Christmas Catechism: The Mystery Of The Magi’s Gold
12/23
Shea’s Smith Theatre
It’s CSI: Bethlehem in this holiday mystery extravaganza, by the author of the Late Nite Catechism series, as Sister takes…
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The Princess Proms
12/23
Shea’s Buffalo
We invite you to an enchanting concert, singing the most magical music in all of the land. Prepare for a…
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