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
Play
Take in the Theater & Entertainment District
Be in the heart of the action downtown
Read More
Perfectly Tuned: Kleinhans Music Hall
You have to experience this amazing concert hall!
Read More
Harold Arlen
Buffalo’s Great American Songwriter
Read More
Excellent Pairings for Dinner @ A Show
An evening of delicious food and entertainment
Read More
Architectural Spotlight: Shea’s Performing Arts Center
A touchstone for downtown’s exciting revitalization
Read More
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
Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)
12/04 – 12/13
Lancaster Opera House
Why tell one Christmas story when you can tell ALL of them? Three performers attempt A Christmas Carol then revolt and launch into a rapid-fire…
Details
MFA Dance Showcase
12/04 – 12/05
Katharine Cornell Theatre
The MFA Dance Showcase offers a peek into the creative process of dancemaking, featuring works in various stages of completion…
Details
The Nutcracker
12/04 – 12/06
Shea’s Buffalo
The Nutcracker is an iconic 1892 two-act classical ballet composed by Pyotr Iiyich Tchaikovsky. Originally choreographed by Marius Petipa and…
Details
A Christmas Carol
12/05 – 12/27
Alleyway Theatre
Dickens’ classic holiday tale brings all of the joy this season. Theatre maker Daniel F. Lendzian adapts Charles Dickens’ classic…
Details
Mobile Shakespeare Lab presents “Macbeth”
12/06 – 12/06
Katharine Cornell Theatre
In the fall of 2026, three college students in the United States are struggling. With mounting discourse and legislative action…
Details
The Sound of Music
12/08 – 12/13
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,…
Details
For Your Consideration: Table Read ft Buffalo State Theater Students
12/10
Burchfield Penney Art Center
The Burchfield Penney Art Center is pleased to announce a new collaboration with the Buffalo State Theater Department: For Your…
Details
Make the Yuletide Gay!
12/11
Westminster Presbyterian Church
Come see three award winning songwriters for a night of storytelling and singing spread some holiday hope, joy, and LGBTQ…
Details
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…
Details
The Hateful Elf
12/12 – 01/02
Alleyway Theatre Cabaret
World PremiereAlleyworks CommissionAnother delicious musical from the writers of KRAGTAR! From the writers of KRAGTAR! comes a new demented holiday…
Details
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…
Details
Dinner and a Movie: Feast of the Seven Fishes
12/14
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
Join us for a special installation of our Dinner and a Movie series featuring Season 2, Episode 6 of the…
Details
The Betsy Carmichael Christmas Special
12/18 – 12/20
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,…
Details
The Night Before Christmas
12/18 – 12/20
Lancaster Opera House
A Lancaster Opera House holiday tradition returns! The Night Before Christmas is a heartwarming, interactive family musical filled with laughter,…
Details
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…
Details
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…
Details
The SpongeBob Musical
01/14 – 01/31
Shea’s 710 Theatre
When the citizens of Bikini Bottom discover that a volcano will soon erupt and destroy their humble home, SpongeBob and…
Details
Bluey’s Big Play
01/16 – 01/17
Shea’s Buffalo
When purchasing your tickets to Bluey’s Big Play, fans are offered the opportunity to purchase a VIP Meet andGreet uplift…
Details
The Elephant Man
01/22 – 02/07
Lancaster Opera House
A profoundly moving drama based on the true story of John Merrick, a man whose severe physical deformities made him…
Details
Disney On Ice
01/28 – 01/31
KeyBank Center
Disney On Ice is bringing a new magical adventure for the whole family! Audiences will discover what it truly means…
Details
Crossover Artists: A Theatre Faculty Recital
01/29
Katharine Cornell Theatre
Featuring Matt Marco, Joelle LaChance, and Lana Sugarman The faculty recital is a tradition found in the collegiate music conservatory…
Details
BOU Presents: Operatic Stars of Tomorrow
02/07
Westminster Presbyterian Church
The next generation of great voices takes the stage in a celebration of Western New York’s extraordinary young talent. Featuring…
Details
Alice in Wonderland by International Ballet Stars
02/11
Shea’s Buffalo
Following acclaimed, sold-out runs across North America, International Ballet Stars returns with Alice in Wonderland, a world premiere production designed…
Details
