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"The Effect of Gamma Rays on Man-in-the-Moon Marigolds" opens this weekend at the New Phoenix Theatre on the Park.

Opening

ALWAYS OCTOBER, world premiere of a play by Mary McLaughlin, Wanda Wilson and Beth Geyer, presented by Parent Network of WNY, directed by Victoria Pérez. Oct 17-20, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (332-4170).

THE EFFECT OF GAMMA RAYS ON MAN-IN-THE-MOON MARIGOLDS, drama by Paul Zindel directed by Loraine O’Donnell, starring Betsy Bittar, Arin Lee Dandes, Anne Roaldi Boucher, Diane M. Cammerata, Zoe Diana. Pay-what-you-can preview Oct 17 at 8. Oct 18-Nov 9, Thu-Sat at 8. The New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

THE FOREIGNER, comedy by Larry Shue presented by the Towne Players, directed by Glenn Jumper. Oct 18-26, Fri 7 Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Sheridan-Parkside Community Center Theatre, 169 Sheridan-Parkside Dr., Tonawanda (693-9641).

THE ROCKY HORROR SHOW, musical presented by UB Department of Theatre & Dance, directed by Josh Walden. Oct 18-27, Thu-Sun at 7, plus Oct 26 & 27 at 2, Oct 19 at 11 p.m. Drama Theatre, UB Center for the Arts (645-ARTS).

TREASURE ISLAND, original musical production by Missoula Children’s Theater touring company, presented by the Kenan Center. Oct 19 at 3 & 7. Lockport High School, 250 Lincoln Ave, Lockport (433-2617).

Ongoing

DEEP END OF THE DARK, world premiere thriller written and directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Swartz, Katherine Quattrini, Debby Koszelak Swartz, Mark Woomer, Jesse Swartz. Through Oct 26, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Oct 27 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St, North Tonawanda (743-1614).

LES MISERABLES, musical presented by Theatre in the Mist, directed by Joey Bucheker. Through Oct 26, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30 (no matinee Oct 26). Niagara Falls High School Performing Arts Center, 4455 Porter Road, Niagara Falls (1-877-856-0694).

MOON OVER BUFFALO, comedy by Ken Ludwig presented by SUNY Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance, directed by Ted Sharon. Oct 24, 25 & 26 at 7:30; Oct. 13 at 2. Bartlett Theatre, Rockefeller Arts Center, SUNY Fredonia, 280 Central Ave., Fredonia (1-866-441-4928).

SOME WICKED WOMEN THIS WAY COME!, performance piece developed and presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara D. Haberberger, starring Kelly M. Beuth, Theresa DiMuro Wilber, Diane McNamara, Brittany Kucala, Kerry Alsheimer, Mike Beiter. Through Oct 26, Thu-Sat at 8. Rust Belt Books, Allen & Elmwood (574-9139).

TOWARDS ZERO, detective mystery by Agatha Christie presented by Aurora Players, directed by David Hall, starring Catherine Burkhart, David Canfield, Joe Cassidy, Brendan Cunningham, Mary Eckstein, Brooke Bartell Goergen, Mary Ann Reisdorf, Christopher Rimes, Curtis Rose, Marc Ruffino, Michael Starzynski. Through Oct 27, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Roycroft Pavilion, South Grove St. and Prospect Ave., East Aurora (687-6727).

Closing

GHOST, touring production of the Broadway musical, presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Through Oct 20, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

THE KATHY & MO SHOW: PARALLEL LIVES/THE DARK SIDE, comedy by Kathy Najimy and Mo Gaffney presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Victoria Perez, starring Pamela Rose Mangus, Mary Kate O’Connell. Through Oct 20, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. The Park School, 4625 Harlem Road, Snyder. (848-0800).

ONE FLEW OVER THE CUCKOO’S NEST, play by Dale Wasserman, adapted from the novel by Ken Kesey, presented by Rocking Horse Productions, directed by Leigha Eichhorn, starring Daniel Morris, Alyssa Majewski, Scot Kaitanowski, Monish Bhattacharyya, Justyne Harris. Through Oct 20, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

Special Presentations

BURYING THE BONES, reading of the play by M. E. H. Lewis, presented by Albert Invincible Theatre & Talk Back Theatre, directed by Frank Canino, starring April Jones, Travis Ballard, Verneice Turner, Richard Hummert, Jennifer Gold, Virginia Brannon. Oct 20 at 4, Oct 21 at 7. Rust Belt Book Store, 202 Allen St. (883-0995). Free

DESPERATELY SEEKING THE EXIT, written and performed by Peter Michael Marino. Oct 18 at 7, Donald Savage Theatre, Buffalo State College. Oct 20 at 4, Allen Street Hardware, 245 Allen St. Pay-What-You-Can at door.

IT RUNS IN THE FAMILY, comedy by Ray Cooney directed by Jay Desiderio, starring David and Jacob Marciniak, Lisa Hinca, Mary Moebius, Rob Dziechciarz, Dan Greer, Scott Thomas, Katherine Ventresca, Henry Garcia, Bekki Sliwa, Jim Kaney, Linda Volansky. Through Nov 10, Thu, Sat & Sun, dinner at 6, show at 7:30. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster (683-7767).

Upcoming

BAT BOY: THE MUSICAL, by Farley, Flemming, and O’Keefe, presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Doug Zschiegner. Oct 31-Nov 10, Thu at 7, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall on NU campus (286-8685).

THE DRAWER BOY, drama by Michael Healey presented by Springville Center for the Arts, directed by Don Wesley, starring Rick Manzone, Rich Sweet, Mitchell Brownell. Oct 24-27, Nov 1&2 at 8, plus Oct 28 & Nov 3 at 2. Carol Mongerson Theater, 37 N. Buffalo St. Springville (592-9038).

LITTLE ROBERT, new play by Mark Humprey presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, directed by Gail Golden starring Robert Ernie Insana, Hugh Davis. Oct 31-Nov 23, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Episcopal Church of the Ascension, 16 Linwood Ave.(634-1102).

MASTER CLASS, play by Terrence McNally, directed by Susan Drozd, starring Christina Rausa, Jessica L. Hall, Randall Kramer, Renee Landrigan, Raphael Santos, Michael Wachowiak. Oct 30-Dec 1, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2 (no show Nov 28). MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

PROMISES, PROMISES, musical by Neil Simon & Burt Bacharach, directed by David Bondrow, starring John Kaczorowski, Lizzy Boyke, Tom Zindle, Chris Turton and Marissa Caruso. Nov 8-24, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

SERENATA CELESTE, world premiere comedy written and directed by Linda Silvestri, presented by Western Door Playhouse, starring Don Batalaris, Sam Fadel, Mike Lombardo, Gloria McNitt, Elaine Meranto, Chris Mongielo, Bob Priest, Sharon Priest, Dede Secic, Felicity Tiberi, Kathlyn Torres, Tom Turici. Nov1-17, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30 (no show 11/3). Woodbox Theatre, Niagara Arts and Cultural Center, 1201 Pine Ave. at Portage Road (297-5910).

THE SHAPE OF THINGS, play by Neil LaBute presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Annise Celano, starring Candice Kogut, Sean Marciniak, Shabar Rouse, Sophia Howes. Oct 24- Nov 23, Thu-Sat at 8. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499).