This
season will set Studio Arena on a course for excellence that is expected of Buffalo's
nationally recognized producing theatre, combining great writing, cutting edge
directors and talented actors. There is something for everyone - two musicals,
a comedy and four dramas, including a world premiere.
Studio Arena Theatre's
2006-07 season features the following productions:
 | 3
MO' DIVAS
September
1 - October 1, 2006
Written,
directed and choreographed by Marion J. Caffey
Musical supervision and arrangements
by Joseph Joubert
You've
heard of The Three Tenors? Well, brace yourself for 3 MO' DIVAS. From the creative
genius who brought you COOKIN' AT THE COOKERY, comes a musical powerhouse! Opera,
Broadway, jazz, blues, soul, spirituals, and gospel - these three divas have mastered
it all. From Bach to Beyonce, no one is left out! Hailed by The Los Angeles Times
as a showcase of "soaring vocal talent," this spectacular theatrical
concert is guaranteed to excite, delight, and entertain the entire family. Official
Website of 3 Mo' Divas
 |
 | THREE
DAYS OF RAIN
October
20 - November 12, 2006
Written
by Richard Greenberg
THREE
DAYS OF RAIN focuses on Walter, his sister Nan, and their childhood friend Pip,
as they divide the legacy of their late fathers, who were partners in a renowned
architecture firm. As they grapple with their own lives, the three search for
clues to unravel the mystery of what transpired between their fathers and the
women in their lives decades before. The story then dramatically shifts to that
earlier time, with the same three actors portraying the previous generation.
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 | A
STUDIO ARENA THEATRE WORLD PREMIERE THE
4th WISE MAN
November
24 - December 23, 2006
Adapted
for the stage by Kathleen Gaffney and Tom Fontana
Based on the story by Henry
van Dyke
Directed by Christopher Eaves
Artaban,
a prominent magi, sells his fortune and sets off with his wise-cracking servant
to find the baby Jesus. Carrying three precious gifts for the Messiah, Artaban
searches for 33 years, missing Him at every turn. Along the way he uses his gifts
to help people in need, until he has nothing left to offer but the greatest gift
of all. This deeply moving story based on the 19th century parable examines the
meaning of true faith and promises to amaze audiences with its inventive artistry,
including Bunraku style puppets, which are close to life-size.
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 | Winner
of the Obie, Outer Critics Circle, and Drama Desk Awards for Best Play THE
SYRINGA TREE
January
5 - 28, 2007
Written
by Pamela Gien
Presented by special arrangement with Matt Salinger
Praised
by critics and audiences world-wide, THE SYRINGA TREE is a deeply personal, evocative
story of an abiding love between two families - one black, one white - and the
two children who are born into their shared household in early 1960s South Africa.
Seen first through the eyes of six-year-old Elizabeth Grace as she tries with
humor and sometimes palpable fear to make sense of the chaos, magic and darkness
of Africa, we follow their destinies in a story spanning four generations, from
early apartheid to present day South Africa. THE
SYRINGA TREE was praised by The New York Times as "instantly engaging, exotic
and complex." Oprah
Winfrey called it "a revelation!...grand as an opera, but as intimate as
a ballet."
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 | OF
MICE AND MEN
February 11 - March
4, 2007
Written
by John Steinbeck
One
of the most celebrated works of literature, this classic drama is the haunting
tale of two migrant workers pursuing the American Dream of a place to call their
own. Set against the backdrop of the Great Depression, the unlikely friendship
between Lennie, a gentle giant, and George, his protector, infuses both men with
hope for the future. But "the best laid schemes o' mice and men" often
go awry, forcing everyday people to make profound choices.
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| THE
MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP
March 16
- April 7, 2007
Written
by Charles Ludlam
From
the foggy moors of Mandacrest Mansion to the hidden tombs of Egypt, this hysterical
spoof has all the
classic elements of gothic melodrama. Our mystery begins
when Lord Hillcrest returns home with his innocent new bride, Lady Enid. She quickly
encounters a werewolf, a vampire, an Egyptian princess, and the spellbinding mystery
of Irma Vep, whose portrait hangs over the fireplace. This tour de force performance
keeps you guessing - and laughing - all the way to the end! The
New York Daily News called it "lunatic fun that keeps you in stitches"
and the Village Voice described the show as "a hearty mixture of thrills,
laughter and extravagant showmanship."
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 | PUMP
BOYS AND DINETTES
April 20 -
May 13, 2007
Written
by John Foley, Mark Hardwick, Debra Monk, Cass Morgan, John Schimmel & Jim
Wann
Directed by Jason Edwards
Out
on Highway 57, somewhere between Frog Level and Smyrna, sits a gas station run
by four happy-go-lucky good ole boys. Across the blacktop you'll find the Double
Cupp diner, where sisters Rhetta and Prudie Cupp serve up heaping helpings of
home cooking with a side of sass. Fun is always on the menu in this high-octane
Broadway hit! Newsweek
called it "the happiest show in town" and The New York Times said it
was "Éas refreshing as an ice cold beer after a bowl of five alarm chili."
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Now
in its fourth decade, Studio Arena Theatre is one of the oldest resident theatres
in the nation. They produces as many as ten plays annually, with eight performances
per week for eight months this season. Studio Arena attracts more than 100,000
patrons per season, and provides in excess of 20,000 students with an introduction
to live theatre via the Theatre School. The
Theatre School, in its 77th year of operation, is the oldest continually-running
theatre school connected to a resident theatre. Fantastic
plays, talented actors and phenomenal audiences have made Studio Arena Buffalo's
nationally recognized producing theatre. With uncompromising artistry, Studio
Arena sets the standard for quality live performance in Western New York. Throughout
its 41-year history, it has enjoyed a nationwide reputation for innovation and
excellence while creating a diverse variety of comedies, dramas, musicals and
new works. Seating
Guide: Tickets:
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