The Stage is Set for CURTAIN UP! Buffalo - 9/14

Hello everyone! Hope you're having a lovely summer. It's that time of year… And by that I mean it's almost time for the 31st Annual Curtain Up! in Buffalo event! This year it will take place on September 14, 2012.

To celebrate the beginning of Buffalo's live theatre season, there will be a black tie dinner at Shea's Performing Arts Center, 16 theaters will hold various productions, and a post party with live entertainment will occur downtown in the Theatre District. Tickets are on sale right now! They are $100 to attend the dinner (includes admission to the VIP after party and late night street event) but tickets to theatre performances must be purchased separately. To order tickets to the event, visit Ticketmaster.com, the Shea's Box Office at 650 Main Street, or call 716-847-1410. For ways to purchase tickets to individual performances visit the Curtain Up! website.

Some of the stand-out shows for the evening include Seth’s "Big Fat Broadway Show," Next to Normal, Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, and Same Time, Next Year. Here's bit about each of these shows:

Seth’s "Big Fat Broadway Show" Presented by Shea's and Albert Nocciolino
Seth Rudetsky, the nationally-known Broadway host on Sirius/XM radio, actor, writer, and pianist, brings his new touring one-man show to Buffalo! He will be doing his fabulous deconstructions of all the Broadway belters he’s obsessed with, as well as giving tons of the inside Broadway scoop. I have been listening to Seth on the radio for quite some time and I think he is "a-MAH-zing." He brings such life to his radio show, and truly brightens up my afternoon. Seeing him live would truly be a treat for anyone who enjoys a humorous, fun, evening out at the theatre. For tickets call: 1-800-745-3000 or go to www.sheas.org/710Main

Next to Normal
Sure to be a highlight of the fall season, this breathtaking hit Broadway musical, nominated for eleven 2009 Tony Awards and winner of three, tells the heartfelt story of a family’s well-meaning but flawed attempts to take care of each other and allow love to triumph over adversity. The moving, contemporary score is truly nothing "next to normal." For information on purchasing tickets visit: www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
Trixie, Knuffle Bunny, and Daddy take an adventure to the neighborhood Laundromat, but their excitement takes a dramatic turn when Trixie realizes "somebunny" was left behind! Adapted from the beloved Caldecott Honored picture book Knuffle Bunny, six-time Emmy Award winning animator and author Mo Willems joins Grammy Award-winning composer Michael Silversher for this big-hit musical full of adventure, song, and gigantic dancing laundry! This sounds like such a cute musical! What kid wouldn't love to see their laundry dancing across the stage? Perfect for ages 4+. For tickets: www.theatreofyouth.org/box_office/buy_tickets.html

Same Time, Next Year
One of the most popular romantic comedies of the 20th century, Same Time, Next Year ran four years on Broadway. The plot follows a love affair between two people, Doris and George, married to others, who rendezvous once a year. Twenty-five years of manners and morals are hilariously and touchingly played out by the lovers. Probably not a show for young ones, but adults will appreciate the witty take on adultery. For tickets: www.lancopera.org

Of course there are 12 other fantastic shows playing that evening! I honestly cannot decide what to see! This is sure to be a very exciting night! After all, there's no better way to commemorate Buffalo's theatricality than by celebrating at Curtain Up! For a complete list of shows and more information on the event, visit www.buffalocurtainup.com

Photo Credit: Curtain Up! Buffalo website