On the Boards is presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company. To be considered for On the Boards, submissions must be received by 5pm on Wednesday one week prior to publication. Send notice VIA e-mail to: ontheboards@artvoice.com.

Opening

THE HOSTAGE, drama by Brendan Behan, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Greg Natale, starring Tom Zindle, Maureen Anne Porter, Tom Loughlin, Joshua Radford, Bethany Sparacio. Jan 12-Feb 5, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).

Opening Shots

Hedwig and the Angry Inch at Alt Theatre

Kerrykate Abel, who plays Hedwig’s second husband; personal trainer to the star, Daniel Sheff; and Loraine O’Donnell, who stars as Hedwig.

Director Michael Walline with actress Josie DiVincenzo and Hedwig producer Marc-Jon Filippone.

Ongoing

BLACK TIE, comedy by A. R. Gurney, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Morgan Chard, Saul Elkin, Josephine Hogan, Patrick Moltane, Peter Palmisano. Through Jan 29, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH, rock musical by John Cameron Mitchell and Stephen Trask, directed by Michael Walline, starring Loraine O’Donnell. Through Jan 28, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 8 & 10:30. ALT Theatre at the Warehouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave. (868-6847).

Special Presentations

JEFFREY, staged reading of the comedy by Paul Rudnick to benefit BUA, directed by Javier Bustillos, starring Chris Kelly, starring Chris Kelly, Franklin Aquilina, John Buscaglia, Anthony Chase, Sam D’Amato, Timothy Finnegan, Ray Ganoe, Paul LaDuca, Anne Hartley Pfohl. Jan 31 at 7. BUA Theater, 119 W. Chippewa (886-9239).

THE RETURN OF ALEC BALDWIN, staged reading of The Big Knife by Clifford Odets, to benefit Road Less Traveled Productions. Jan 27 at 8, UB Center for the Arts (800-745-3000).

WORDS OF CHOICE, excerpts of the works of numerous advocates for reproductive freedom, presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Kelly M. Beuth. Jan 20, 21 & 22 at 7:30. Hallwalls, 341 Delaware Ave.

Upcoming

AVENUE Q, musical by Lopez, Marx, and Whitty, directed by Doug Weyand, starring Jacob Albarella, Charmagne Chi, Jeffrey Coyle, Maria Droz, Amy Jakiel, Adrienne Lewis, Marc Sacco. Jan 25-Mar 4, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540)

AVOW, play by Bill C. Davis, presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Kelli Bocock Natale starring Danny Beason, Diane Curley, Kevin Keleher, Joseph Natale, Michael Seitz, Kathleen Betsko Yale. Jan 20-Feb 11, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Jan 29 at 7 (no performance Jan 27). BUA Theater, 119 W. Chippewa St. (886-9239).

BEN FRANKLIN’S APPRENTICE by Laurie Brooks, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Robert J. Cooke, Beth Donohue, Cassie Gorniewicz, Patrick Cameron, Adam Rath, Roger Keicher, Gerry Maher. Feb 3 at 7. Feb 4-12, Sat & Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400 x304).

BROADWAY IN CONCERT 13—LUCKY OR NOT, musical revue presented by the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Fran Newton. Jan 20-28, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3. The Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda (284-6358).

A CHORUS LINE, musical conceived by Michael Bennett, presented by Red Carpet Theater Productions, directed by Dawn Smith-Deluca, starring Patrick Pettys, Jaime Goldfuss, Danielle Seabury-Pitirri, Meghan Hinton, Bethany Burrows, Rene Giglia, Laura Bevilacqua, Matthew Iwanski, Sean Murphy, Steven Sitzman, Michael Zito, Brandon Michael O’Brien. Jan 20-Feb 3, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30, plus Feb 4 at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

FINNEGAN’S FAREWELL, interactive dinner theater presented by the Lancaster Players. Jan 29 at 1 & 5:30. The Irishman Pub and Eatery, 5601 Main St., Williamsville (626-2670).

THE GIN GAME, comedy by D. L. Coburn, presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Michael Lodick, starring Joy Scime, Mark Donahue. Jan 20-Feb 11, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Buffalo East, 1410 Main St.(634-1102 ).

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, comedy by Oscar Wilde, presented by Curtain-Up Productions. Jan 20-22, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave., Lockport (438-1130).

NUNSENSE A-MEN!, musical by Dan Goggin, presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Mary Kate O’Connell, starring Guy Tomassi, Dudney Joseph, Josh Snyder, Nick Lama, Joey Bucheker. Jan 19-Feb 12, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Erie Community College- North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800).

A RAISIN IN THE SUN, drama by Lorraine Hanberry, presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Victoria Perez, starring Pete Johnson, Patricia Armstrong, Lydia Douglas, Candace Whitfield, Rashard Reynolds. Jan 26-Feb 25, Thu-Sat at 7:30. T he Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499).

ST. NICHOLAS, one-man play by Conor McPherson, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Vincent O’Neill. Jan 28-Feb 19, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2, plus Feb 12 at 7. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

TONY ’N’ TINA’S WEDDING, interactive dinner theater presented by Actors Anonymous Theatre Company, starring Margo Davis, Tony Ioviero, SteveUrge, Kevin Barwell, music by Sudden Urge. Jan 20, 27, 28; Feb 10 & 11 at 7:15. Fox Valley Country Club, 6161 Genesee St., Lancaster (633-4355).

YOU SAY TOMATO, I SAY SHUT UP, comedy by Annabelle Gurwitch and Jeff Kahn, presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino, directed by Darren Katz, starring Antoinette LaVeccia, Scott Richard Foster. Previews Jan 31 & Feb 1 at 7:30. Feb 2-12, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2 & 6 (no evening performance Feb 12). Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).