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
A Gospel Symphony Tribute to Richard Smallwood
10/16
Kleinhan’s Music Hall
This concert honors a towering figure in gospel music, Richard Smallwood, through the combined power of orchestra and choir. The…
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The Da Vinci Code
10/16 – 10/18
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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Smooth Sailing: Yacht Rock of the ’70s & ’80s
10/17
Kleinhan’s Music Hall
This is your soundtrack in full color, breezy, nostalgic, and built for a true night out. With Jason Seber conducting,…
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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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UnScripted: Comedy Improv Night
10/21 – 05/12
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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Sweeney Todd
10/22 – 11/08
MusicalFare 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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Dinner and a Movie Encore: Big Night
10/23
Buffalo AKG Art Museum
In this unique cinematic dining experience, guests are invited to enjoy a multi-course meal inspired by a movie, with each…
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THE HAUNTING OF HOOVERTON HOTEL
10/24 – 11/14
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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The Super Pickle: A Hilarious Musical Parody
10/24
Shea’s Smith Theatre
Get ready to serve up the laughs with a wildly entertaining new comedy that dives paddle-first into the pickleball craze…
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Symphonic Spooktacular
10/25
Kleinhan’s Music Hall
Costumes encouraged and curiosity required. Symphonic Spooktacular is a family-friendly way to celebrate the season with spooky music, big orchestral…
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Women+ on the Edge of Democracy
10/25
Alleyway Theatre
Alleyway Theatre is proud to take part in Women+ on the Edge of Democracy, a nationwide initiative that brings communities…
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Alicia Keys’ Hell’s Kitchen
10/27 – 11/01
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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Beyond Boundaries : TCB – The Toni Cade Bambara School of Organizing
10/29
Burchfield Penney Art Center
On October 29th we welcome director and founder of Philadelphia’s Scribe Video Center, Louis Massiah, with the award-winning film, TCB…
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BPO UpClose: How Music Speaks
10/30
Kleinhan’s Music Hall – Mary Seaton Room
Sit close to the musicians and experience classical music from an entirely new perspective. Amy Glidden and Jonathan Borden lead…
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Julius Caesar
10/30 – 11/21
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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Hauntingly Halloween
10/31
Kleinhan’s Music Hall
On Halloween night, the BPO transforms Kleinhans into a world of shadow, suspense, and orchestral storytelling. Led by Ron Spigelman,…
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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 – 11/15
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 – 11/15
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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In the Heights
11/13 – 11/15
Buffalo State Performing Arts Center
In the Heights tells the universal story of a vibrant community in New York’s Washington Heights neighborhood & a place…
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Uncle Vanya
11/13 – 12/13
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 – 11/22
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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