Arts/Culture

In the past several years a number of city-based theatrical companies have had to contemplate a move (some several times) including American Repertory, Buffalo United Artists, Road Less Traveled, and Second Generation, but it's happening in the suburbs too, to MusicalFare (several years down the road) and now the Lancaster Regional Players at the Lancaster Opera House. 

This past weekend, the Kavinoky Theatre started its run of George Orwell’s "1984" after less than three weeks of production. Producers were forced to make the last-minute switch after they were told their planned production of "To Kill a Mockingbird" could not be staged because of a legal dispute.

A special performance and screening of the award-winning short film Joe's Violin will be held Saturday evening as part of the Buffalo International Jewish Film Festival that runs March 22 through March 28. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the event will focus on how to donate instruments to change. 

Shea's revealed its 2019-2020 season along with the Smith Theatre and Shea's 710, both of which have some shows with substance lined up. For good theater right now, folks are talking about "ABSOLUTE BRIGHTNESS" at the Alleyway, "ANGELS IN AMERICA" at the Smith, BETWEEN RIVERSIDE AND CRAZY at Road Less Traveled. Tonight, 1984 opens at the Kav, and SIDEWALK STAGEPLAY at the Robeson.

The Buffalo theater season is cyclic and right now in a boom time we're bullish on so many A-list plays using our best Buffalo actors, directors, and behind the scenes efforts (such as the Drozd sisters' costumes, make-up, and hair for FROST/NIXON). Arranging your calendar to see as many shows as possible can be a bit like playing the game of TETRIS, but should be worth the effort.

If you looking for some beautiful sounds you'll want to check out this weekend's Vocalis performances. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley talked with Vocalis's Chamber Choir director and founder James Burritt  about their spring concerts 'Icons and Legends'.  

The continuing road show of plans to renovate, expand and improve the Albright-Knox Art Gallery moved to a new location Tuesday night - McKinley High School, just down the street - to show a wider range of the community what's going on.

The Kavinoky Theatre, caught in the crossfire of Rudinplay versus Dramatic Publishing's dueling lawsuits, has had to cancel TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD through no fault of their own. Meanwhile, THE KILLING OF A CHINESE BOOKIE at Torn Space is getting great press for their innovative adaptation of the Cassavete's movie. And Shea's brings the emotional musical MISS SAIGON to a whole new generation.

Buffalo's Kavinoky Theatre at D’Youville College has been forced to shut down its production of Harper Lee's To Kill a Mockingbird. WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says it's over a licensing dispute that has closed productions at small theaters across the country.

Jonathan Deas, also known as "Deas on Keys," has recently been on "Saturday Night Live," "Howard Stern" and "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" performing with Gary Clark Jr. to promote his new album, This Land. He’s receiving national notoriety now, but it wasn’t too long ago he was a student at the Buffalo Academy for Visual and Performing Arts.

Musician Henri Muhammad has been teaching young African-Americans how to play strings and piano for nearly 20 years in the city of Buffalo. The Muhammad School of Music’s continuing mission to provide inner-city youth with an instrumental education has led to generations of Buffalo-bred professionals in various vocations.

Kenmore East High School Band Director Phil Aguglia is a product of the Buffalo Public Schools system. He spoke with WBFO's Nick Lippa about why it’s important to invest in urban education, but isn’t sure if it will lead to more minority musicians in larger orchestras.

African-Americans currently make up less than two percent of larger orchestra members in the United States. That lack of representation is a struggle for many groups, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Orchestras around the country, including the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, have little to no African-American representation, especially for instrumentalists.

The Vietnam War, Racial Inequality, Immigration: issues th are hot-button topics central to two musicals this week, RAGTIME which continues at Musicalfare Theatre and MISS SAIGON (interview with "The Engineer" actor Red Concepción) which opens at Shea's on Tuesday. On the other hand, for some sweet, bittersweet, and downright zany looks at love, it's ALMOST, MAINE at Shea's 710 Theatre.

With winter bearing down with record-setting snow falls, residents are searching for indoor activities. During her appearance on WBFO's Press Pass, Jessica Marinelli of Buffalo Rising offers some alternatives, including the latest offering at the Albright-Knox Art Gallery, Humble and Human: An Exhibition in Honor of Ralph C. Wilson, Jr. With Erie County Free Week underway, Marinelli says the event provides an opportunity to view the works of great Impressionist artists like Monet, Renoir and Gauguin.

During Black History Month Buffalo's Uncrowned Queens has been calling on community members to help preserve stories for generations to come.  WBFO's senior reporter Eileen Buckley says the organization is celebrating its 20th year.

Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director JoAnn Falletta describes her Grammy win as "exciting" and "unexpected." WBFO senior reporter Eileen Buckley says Falletta won for her conducting work with the London Symphony Orchestra and American composer Kenneth Fuchs.

There is a continuum from the shocking British 1990's "In Your Face" style to didactic morality plays, such as TALES OF THE DRIVEN currently at Subversive, to theater that teaches, such as A HOME WITHOUT A HOUSE presented (free) next week by Planned Parenthood, to love stories with a message of acceptance, such as TALLEY'S FOLLY at Jewish Rep.

This week it's a new play by Subversive's Kurt Schneiderman called TALES OF THE DRIVEN, new choreography by HAMILTON choreographer Andy Blankenbuehler in CATs at Shea's, a fairly new adaptation of Richard Wright's NATIVE SON at the Paul Robeson, and new staging for TUCK EVERLASTING at the Theater of Youth.

Millennials; they're coming on strong. Keri René Fuller (interview) stars as Grizabella in CATS opening at Shea's, UB undergraduates are off to represent the United States in an international scenography competition in Prague, and McKinley High School/Buff State grad Janae' Leonard is on stage at the Paul Robeson Theatre as "Bessie" in NATIVE SON.