OPENING

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER, by Barbara Robinson, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Beth Donahue, Timothy Klein, Mary Craig, Moira A. Keenan, Kate LoConti, Bill Schmidt, Christopher M. LaBanca. Dec 7-16, Fri at 7, Sat at 2 & 5:30, Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400).

BIRTH AND AFTER BIRTH, by Tina Howe, presented by Niagara University Theater, directed by Steve Vaughan. Preview Dec 6 at 8. Dec 7-16, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. The Church, 415 Plain St., Lewiston (286-8622).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, by Charles Dickens adapted by Romulus Linney, presented by the Towne Players, directed by Randall Rumley, starring Colin Lynch, Robert Lonski, Robert Wagner, Michael Leszczynski. Dec 8-16, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Sheridan Parkside Community Center Theatre, 169 Sheridan-Parkside Dr., Tonawanda.

CORSETLESS, written and performed by Catherine Eaton, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Derek Campbell. Dec 8-16, Wed-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).

INDIAN BLOOD, by A.R.Gurney, directed by Kathleen Gaffney, starring Jane Altman, David Q. Combs, Justin Fiordaliso, Hollis McCarthy, Darlene Pickering Hummert, Matt Steiner, Matt Bradford Sullivan, Ronald Wendschuh. Previews Dec 6 & 7. Dec 8-23, Tue at 7, Wed at 7:30, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7, plus Dec 20 at 2. Studio Arena Theatre, 710 Main St. (856-5650).

ONGOING

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Charles Dickens classic adapted and directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Tim Stuff, Lynn Metzger, Jesse Swartz, Daniel Arrasjid, Laura Muscarella, DJ Swartz. Through Dec 15, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Dec 16 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).

KINDERTRANSPORT, drama by Diane Samuels presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Anne Roaldi, Anne Gayley, Eileen Dugan, Lisa Ludwig, Rebecca Elkin, Ray Boucher. Through Dec 23, Thu at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun. at 2. Road Less Traveled Theatre, 639 Main Street (688-4114 x391).

NAKAI AND THE RED SHOES, by William Y. Cooper with original music by Richard Williams, directed by June L. S. Duell. Through Dec 16, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013).

SISTER’S CHRISTMAS CATECHISM: The Mystery of the Magi’s Gold, interactive comedy by Maripat Donovan, presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Through Dec 23, Tue at 7:30, Wed at 1, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 6. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (852-5000).

TRAILER PARK CHRISTMAS, presented by O’Connell & Company, starring Stephanie Bax, Mary Craig, Mary Moebius, Mary Kate O’Connell, Paul O’Hern, Josh Snyder, Michael Tosha. Through Dec 23, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. The Cabaret in the Square Theatre, Snyder Square, 4475 Main St., Snyder (839-3949).

CLOSING

A BRIEF HISTORY OF WHITE MUSIC, conceived by Dee Dee Thomas and David Tweedy, directed by Carlos Jones, starring Rodney Appleby, Kelly Krupski, Victoria Perez. Through Dec 9, Wed at 7, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

BUTTERFINGERS ANGEL, by William Gibson, presented by the Amherst Players, directed by Debra Cole. Through Dec 8, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 1:30 & 7:30. Harlem Road Community Center at 4255 Harlem Rd., Amherst.

CRAZY MARY, comedy by A.R. Gurney, directed by Paul Todaro, starring Joyce Carolyn, Maureen Porter, Norm Sham, Michael Vargovich, Nan Wade. Through Dec 9, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. The Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

THE PILLOWMAN, by Martin McDonagh, directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring Peter Jaskowiak, Richard Lambert, Jeff Coyle, Gary Marz, Kevin Cain, Sacha Shaffer. Through Dec 8, Thu-Sat at 8. The New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

TARTUFFE, comedy by Molière, presented by SUNY Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance, directed by Ted Sharon. Through Dec 8, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. Bartlett Theatre, Rockefeller Arts Center, SUNY Fredonia (673-3501).

YOU’RE A GOOD MAN, CHARLIE BROWN, musical by Clark Gesner, presented by Theatre in the Mist, directed by Joanne Kinney. Through Dec 9, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Stella Niagara stage, corner of Pletcher and Lower River Rd., Lewiston (877-856-0694).

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS

DEATH AND THE MAIDEN, reading of the play by Ariel Dorfman, presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Kelli Bocock Natale, starring Josephine Hogan, Drew Kahn, Peter Palmisano. A benefit for Just Buffalo Literary Center. Dec 8 at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (886-9239).

DIVA BY DIVA: A Celebration of Women, presented by O’Connell & Company, open-ended run, Wed at 7:30. The Cabaret in the Square Theatre, Snyder Square, 4475 Main St., Snyder (839-3949).

GRACE IN A MUTILATED WORLD: Poetry for the Care of the Soul, written and performed by Anne Huiner, directed by Pamela Snyder. Dec 6 at 7. First Presbyterian Church, Symphony Circle (884-7250).

UPCOMING

CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, a solo performance conceived, written, directed by and starring Mike Randall. Dec 14-23, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, adapted and directed by Neal Radice, starring John Smeathers. Dec 13-22, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2, 5 & 8, plus Dec 16 at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

MOTHER FRUIT CAKE & THE SUGAR PLUM GANG, presented by Vicky Vogue Vaudeville, a benefit for Ujima Theatre Company. Dec 15 at 8. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave.

WHITE CHRISTMAS, touring production of the musical based on the holiday film classic, presented by Shea’s and Al Nocciolino. Dec 18-23, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (847-0850).

OPENING SHOTS

KINDERTRANSPORT

Jewish Repertory Theatre

1. Rebecca Elkin, who plays Faith, with Eileen Dugan and Anne Roaldi, who play Evelyn and Eva.

2. Opening-nighters Dan Kushel (l) and Janet Kaye (r) with Buffalo’s favorite leading lady, Anne Gayley (c), who plays Lil.

3. Lisa Ludwig, who plays Helga, with actor pals John Fredo and Barbara Link LaRou.