The twin draw of music and theater have been a long-standing Buffalo area staple since the early days of the city. In fact, in the 1830s, the first theater built in Buffalo was commissioned by local thespians Dean and McKinney. An announcement at the time read: Dean and McKinney respectfully announce to the citizens of Buffalo that through the taste and enterprise of Mr. Albert Brisbane they are enabled to open a building which for permanence of materials, classic elegance of structure, and convenience of accommodation, will vie with any theatre in America. [1] And thus began Buffalo's long-standing tradition of professional and community theater. Today, it is still going strong, with a thriving theater district which presents a variety of theater, musicals, and concerts for the greater Buffalo area. In fact, the Theatre District's popular Curtain Up! celebration, marking the annual start of the professional theater season in Buffalo, has been held every year since 1981 and is the only event of its kind . . . anywhere! [2] What's Playing: Concerts, Musicals, Shows, Art Exhibits, and Other Entertainment Jan. 22nd Jerry Seinfeld 7:00 p.m. Shea's Performing Arts Center Acclaimed stand up comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be performing one show. Jan 28th The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes & Drums of the Scots Guards 7:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre - Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo Featuring a musical celebration of the music of England, Scotland, and Wales, centuries of military tradition and pageantry takes the stage. Ongoing through March 20, 2016, Monet and the Impressionist Revolution 1962 Building (check the website for admission information) The exhibit features the works of Monet, one of the founders of French Impressionism, and other impressionist painters. Painting in the open air, en plein air, Monet studied and refined his use of color to accentuate natural light, becoming a master of the technique. Albright-Knox Art Gallery is delighted to bring this collection gathered from six different American museums together in a wonderful exhibit. Jan. 15 - Feb. 7, 2016. All My Sons by Arthur Miller The Irish Classical Theatre Company Billed as a powerful and gripping study of honesty and guilt and the corrupting power of greed. Set in post World War II America, it is the story of Joe Keller, a successful businessman and loving family man who during the war allowed his factory to ship faulty airplane cylinders to the US Armed Forces, causing the death of 21 American pilots. A tragedy of the common man in a searing moral crisis, told with electrifying intensity. Jan 27 - Feb 28th, Musical Fare Theatre - Ring of Fire (See website for dates and times.) Described by Richard Malby (co-author of the Broadway hit, Miss Saigon), Ring of Fire is about home and family and getting together and loving somebody and having a backyard and generations living together, it's about what holds you together in the face of a hard life, it's about the really basic family values." (See more) And back to Dean and McKinney, it was said of them that they were enterprising, industrious workers in their profession and as managers, and that the little provincial [up-stairs] theatre in Buffalo was a cradle and school . . . and graduates became leading actors and stars in the dramatic firmament, who there made their debut on a stage in Buffalo, New York. Did we miss any great shows? Let us know in the comments! [1] Home History: Recollections of Buffalo p. 370 [2] A History of Buffalos Theatre District Curtain Up A Buffalo Area Tradition
The twin draw of music and theater have been a long-standing Buffalo area staple since the early days of the city. In fact, in the 1830s, the first theater built in Buffalo was commissioned by local thespians Dean and McKinney. An announcement at the time read: Dean and McKinney respectfully announce to the citizens of Buffalo that through the taste and enterprise of Mr. Albert Brisbane they are enabled to open a building which for permanence of materials, classic elegance of structure, and convenience of accommodation, will vie with any theatre in America. [1] And thus began Buffalo's long-standing tradition of professional and community theater. Today, it is still going strong, with a thriving theater district which presents a variety of theater, musicals, and concerts for the greater Buffalo area. In fact, the Theatre District's popular Curtain Up! celebration, marking the annual start of the professional theater season in Buffalo, has been held every year since 1981 and is the only event of its kind . . . anywhere! [2] What's Playing: Concerts, Musicals, Shows, Art Exhibits, and Other Entertainment Jan. 22nd Jerry Seinfeld 7:00 p.m. Shea's Performing Arts Center Acclaimed stand up comedian Jerry Seinfeld will be performing one show. Jan 28th The Band of the Royal Marines and the Pipes & Drums of the Scots Guards 7:30 p.m. Mainstage Theatre - Center for the Arts, University at Buffalo Featuring a musical celebration of the music of England, Scotland, and Wales, centuries of military tradition and pageantry takes the stage. Ongoing through March 20, 2016, Monet and the Impressionist Revolution 1962 Building (check the website for admission information) The exhibit features the works of Monet, one of the founders of French Impressionism, and other impressionist painters. Painting in the open air, en plein air, Monet studied and refined his use of color to accentuate natural light, becoming a master of the technique. Albright-Knox Art Gallery is delighted to bring this collection gathered from six different American museums together in a wonderful exhibit. Jan. 15 - Feb. 7, 2016. All My Sons by Arthur Miller The Irish Classical Theatre Company Billed as a powerful and gripping study of honesty and guilt and the corrupting power of greed. Set in post World War II America, it is the story of Joe Keller, a successful businessman and loving family man who during the war allowed his factory to ship faulty airplane cylinders to the US Armed Forces, causing the death of 21 American pilots. A tragedy of the common man in a searing moral crisis, told with electrifying intensity. Jan 27 - Feb 28th, Musical Fare Theatre - Ring of Fire (See website for dates and times.) Described by Richard Malby (co-author of the Broadway hit, Miss Saigon), Ring of Fire is about home and family and getting together and loving somebody and having a backyard and generations living together, it's about what holds you together in the face of a hard life, it's about the really basic family values." (See more) And back to Dean and McKinney, it was said of them that they were enterprising, industrious workers in their profession and as managers, and that the little provincial [up-stairs] theatre in Buffalo was a cradle and school . . . and graduates became leading actors and stars in the dramatic firmament, who there made their debut on a stage in Buffalo, New York. Did we miss any great shows? Let us know in the comments! [1] Home History: Recollections of Buffalo p. 370 [2] A History of Buffalos Theatre District