THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR is presented with whimsy and panache by an all-woman cast at Shakespeare in Delaware Park and is an opportunity to see some mighty fine Buffalo talent assembled on one stage. Shea's 710 Main Theatre announced their 2017-2018 season, beginning with a short run September 14-17 of SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS starring Loretta Swit ("Hotlips" from TV's MASH series) and Eavid Engel. We fondly recall Buffalo's Anne Gayley and Greg Djurich at O'Connell and Company in this play two years ago. While musicals at The Shaw Festival can be disappointing, it's worth a drive north to see the very mobile Michael Therriault as "Bill Snibson" in ME AND MY GIRL. And, it's a bit of a drive south, but down at The Chautauqua Institution the CTC opens the comedy NOISES OFF at the Bratton Theater this Friday night where it runs through July 16. Keeping their mission in mind, The Subversive Theatre Collective Youth Series presents RADIUM GIRLS about the women who suffered radium poisoning while painting by hand "glow in the dark" watch dials. That's a student production up only tonight and tomorrow at 8 p.m.
OPENING
NOISES OFF, the comedy by Michael Frayn presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Andrew Borba. Jun 30-Jul 16. Bratton Theater, Chautauqua Institution (357-6250). www.ciweb.org/chautauqua-theater-company
ONGOING
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, a comedy by William Shakespeare presented by Shakespeare in Delaware Park, directed by Eileen Dugan, starring Pamela Rose Mangus, Kate Conigisor, Priscilla Young Anker, Victoria Perez, Charmagne Chi, Julia Register, Caitlin Baeumler Coleman, Darleen Pickering Hummert, Diane DiBernardo, Josie DiVincenzo. Through Jul 15, Tue-Sun at 7:30. Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park (856-4533). www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org
CLOSING

RADIUM GIRLS, play by D.W. Gregory presented by The Subversive Theatre Collective Youth Series, directed by Kelly Beuth. Through Jul 1, Thu-Sat at 8. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499). www.subversivetheatre.org
SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS
PROPOSALS, play by Neil Simon presented by Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Sandra Gilliam, David Marciniak, Chrissy Vogric-Hunnell, Jeremy Kreuzer, Lisa Hinca, Alex Hunnell, Alex King, Michelle Meer, Kinzy Brown. Through Jul 16, evening shows arrival at 6, show at 7:30; matinee shows arrival at 1, show at 2:30. Bobby J’s Italian American Grille, 204 Como Park Blvd., Cheektowaga (395-3207). www.mybobbyjs.com
UPCOMING
DETROIT ’67, play by Dominique Morisseau presented by Chautauqua Theater Company, directed by Steve H. Broadnax III. Jul 21-30. Bratton Theater, Chautauqua Institution (357-6250). www.ciweb.org/chautauqua-theater-company
PRETTY FUNNY, world premiere of a musical by Marisa Guida and Philip Farugia, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Arin Dandes, Amy Jakiel, Lou Colaiacovo, Nicole Cimato, Marc Sacco, Dan Urtz, Brittney Basset, Bethany Burrows, Michael Wakowiak, Camryn Clune. Jul 12-Aug 13, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540). www.musicalfare.com
And the UPCOMING Shea's 710 Theatre Line-up for 2017-2018 is:
SIX DANCE LESSONS IN SIX WEEKS written by Richard Alfieri starring Loretta Swit & David Engel, September 14-17
WILDE TALES Stories for Young and Old by Oscar Wilde adapted for the stage by Kate Hennig produced by the Shaw Festival October 24-28
IT'S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A RADIO PLAY adapted by Joe Landry, November 30-December 10
MASTER HAROLD AND THE BOYS written By Athol Fugard produced by the Shaw Festival, February 15-18, 2018
SPRING AWAKENING book and lyrics by Steven Sater, produced by MusicalFare Theatre, March 8-18, 2018
KEN LUDWIG'S BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY written by Ken Ludwig produced by MusicalFare Theatre, May 10-13, 2018
Adapted from "On the Boards" appearing in Artvoice 6/27/2017