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

CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, solo performance conceived, written, directed by, and starring Mike Randall, presented by the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild. Dec 16 at 3. The Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda (284-6358).

LEGACY: A NEW MUSICAL, musical by Billy Horn presented by Fusebomb Productions, starring Elliot Fox, Nick Lama, Rosie Lorenti. Dec 14-16 at 8. Woodbox Theatre, Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. at Portage Rd. (628-5347).

SHREK THE MUSICAL, national touring production of the Broadway musical by David Lindsay-Abaire and Jeanine Tesori, directed by Stephen Sposito. Dec 13 & 14 at 7:30. UB Center for the Arts, North Campus (645-ARTS).

Ongoing

CLOUD 9, play by Caryl Churchill, directed by Kelli Bocok-Natale, starring Richard Lambert, Chris Kelly, Diane Curley, Kelly Ferguson Moore, Pamela Rose Mangus, Eric Rawski, Steve Copps. Through Dec 22, Thu-Sat at 8. The New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

Closing

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, Christmas play by L. Don Swartz, starring Karla Weidenboerner, Jed Woomer, Rosemary Swartz, Jessica Kuhn, Ben Torres, Camryn Porter, Donald Swartz. Through Dec 16, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Mary McMahon, Robert Insana, Joyce Carolyn, Annette Daniels Taylor, Jennifer Fitzery, Bill Schmidt, Adam Rath. Through Dec 16, Fri at 7, Sat at 2 & 5:30, Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400 x 304).

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, by Barbara Robinson presented by the Lancaster Regional Players, directed by David Nuijens, starring Penny Striker, Christina Morrow, Cameron Heffler, Alex Bogart, Mitchel Guidie, Allison Gray, Aaron Boos, Jake Shapiro, Adam Misnik, Annabella Bogart. Through Dec 16, Fri at 7:30, Sat & Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

A BROADWAY CHRISTMAS CAROL by Kathy Feininger, presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Jeffrey Coyle, starring David Butler, Mary Kate O’Connell, Michael Starzynski. Through Dec 16, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Erie Community College- North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Neal Radice, starring John Smeathers, Syndi Starr, Katy Clancy, Roger Van Dette, David C. Mitchell, J. K. Hudson, Joyce Stilson, Lily Hart, Charlie Hearn, Matthew Luraschi, Radice. Through Dec 16, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 5 & 8, Sun at 2 & 5. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

CHRISTMAS IS COMIN’ UPTOWN, musical by Garry Sherman, Philip Rose, and Peter Udel, directed by Paulette D. Harris. Through Dec 16, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013).

GYPSY, Broadway musical presented by the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Fran Newton, starring Kim Ehrenburg, Michael Breen, Cassandra Grizanti, Laura Jakiel. Through Dec 15, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3. The Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda (284-6358).

OTHER DESERT CITIES, play by Jon Robin Baitz, directed by Peter Palmisano, starring David Lamb, Barbara Link LaRou, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Lisa Ludwig, Matt Witten. Through Dec 16, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

RADIO TBS (Trailer Park Broadcasting Scandals), comedy by Mark L. Smith presented by Subversive Theatre Collective and Brazen-Faced Varlets directed by Kelly M. Beuth, starring Brittany Kucala, Jenny Gembka, Lara D.Haberberger, Jane Cudmore, Diane DiBernardo, Amelia Scinta, Diane McNamara, Kerry Alsheimer, Theresa DiMuro-Wilber, Kate Olena. Through Dec 15, Thu-Sat at 8. Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499).

URINETOWN, musical by Greg Kotis and Mark Hollmann, presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Steven Braddock. Through Dec 16, Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Leary Theatre within the Elizabeth Ann Clune Center for Theatre, Clet Hall at NU campus (286-8685).

Special Presentations

BUTTERFLIES ARE FREE, comedy by Leonard Gershe, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Sean Marciniak, Justyne Harris, Margo Davis, Justin Fiordaliso. Through Dec 16, Thu, Sat & Sun, dinner at 6, show at 7:30. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster (683-7767).

Upcoming

RUDOLPH THE RED-NOSED REINDEER, play by Kevin Oakes, directed by David Bondrow. Dec 21-23, Fri at 7; Sat at 11, 2:30 & 7; Sun at 11 & 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).