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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Perfectly Tuned: Kleinhans Music Hall
You have to experience this amazing concert hall!
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Buffalo’s Theater Menu
A critic talks about Buffalo’s vibrant theater scene
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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
Jesus Christ Superstar
04/03
MusicalFare Theatre
Andrew Lloyd Webber & Tim Rice’s classic rock-musical about the final week of the life of Jesus Christ, complete with…
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“Fort Apache, The Bronx” Movie & Discussion with Stephen Gabris
04/08
The Caz
Please join Stephen Gabris for an evening in remembrance of his stepdad Thomas Mulhearn, AKA Red, one of the authors…
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The Odd Couple
04/10
Lancaster Opera House
This classic comedy opens on a friendly card game in the untidy apartment of divorced Oscar Madison. And if the…
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‘The Laughing Troll Café’ by Scott Elmegreen and Drew Fornarola
04/11
Compass Performing Arts Center
Buffalo United Artists is proud to present The Western New York Premiere of ‘The Laughing Troll Cafe’ by Scott Elmegreen…
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Water For Elephants
04/14
Shea’s Buffalo
“Many wonders await audiences in this gorgeously imaginative Broadway musical.” & The New York Times The critically acclaimed bestselling novel…
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Aperture/Afterimage
04/17
Torn Space Theater
A live audio-visual performance by Groupwork Independent Artist Performance Part of the in.sight series Part of the in.sight performance series an ongoing investigation…
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Ghost Brothers of Darkland County
04/17
Road Less Traveled Productions
A bluesy rock score by legend John Mellencamp and a claustrophobic, refractured parable from the master of thriller Stephen King…
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Sydney Sterlace – Dinner & Show Experience
04/19
The Caz
Sydney Sterlace is a 16-year-old powerhouse vocalist and songwriter from Buffalo, NY, who took The Voice by storm with a…
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PARKER PRY- PRIVATE EYE: A Free Reading
04/20
Shea’s Smith Theatre
WORLD PREMIERE! In BIG CITY, no case is too little for Parker Pry, the least famous detective in town. A…
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Parker Pry: Private Eye
04/20
Shea’s Smith Theatre
WORLD PREMIERE! In BIG CITY, no case is too little for Parker Pry, the least famous detective in town. A…
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John Legend “A Night of Songs and Stories”
04/22
Shea’s Buffalo
Multi-platinum, 13-time Grammy Award-winner John Legend brings A Night of Songs & Stories to Shea’s Buffalo Theatre on April 22,…
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Dinner and a Movie Series: Julie and Julia Encore
04/23
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
In this unique cinematic dining experience inspired by Dine In, guests are invited to enjoy a multi-course meal inspired by…
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Girls Gone Bible
04/30
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
What started as an intimate Bible study between two best friends has transformed into Girls Gone Bible, a Christian podcast redefining…
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Pure Glitter: A New Play for the Gays
05/01
Shea’s Smith Theatre
From current Broadway Playwright Douglas Lyons (CHICKEN AND BISCUITS, TABLE 17, BEAU), comes PURE GLITTER: a slice of life comedy…
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It’s a Mxtery – Drag Mystery Dinner Experience
05/03
The Caz
An immersive, campy drag murder mystery dinner where there’s no murder, only the baffling disappearance of gender itself. Guests join…
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Next Stage Players Production
05/07
Kavinoky Theatre
Next Stage Players is the D’Youville Kavinoky’s performance ensemble of graduate acting students. The Players’ first production was in 2023…
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Rent in Concert
05/09
Shea’s Buffalo
Starring Buffalo will close its season with the iconic musical RENT, performed in concert at Buffalo’s greatest theater, the Shea’s…
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Dancing with the Stars: Live!-2026 Tour
05/10
Shea’s Buffalo
See the glitz, glam and breathtaking performances of America’s favorite dance show in a city near you with this ALL-NEW SHOW starring your…
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The Legend of Georgia McBride
05/29
Torn Space Theater
“Stitch-in-your-side funny full of sass and good spirits.” & The New York Times He’s young, he’s broke, his landlord’s knocking…
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A Few Good Men
06/11
Shea’s 710 Theatre
Produced by Road Less Traveled Productions and Shea’s Performing Arts Center By Aaron Sorkin In the summer of 1986,…
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