OPENING:

BIRTH, documentary style play by Karen Brodo presented by Ujima Company, directed by Victoria Perez-Maggiolo, a benefit for Life Cycles Center in support of Emerald Waters Birth Center. Sep 5-7, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave.

BUDDY: THE BUDDY HOLLY STORY, musical by Alan Janes & Rob Bettinson, directed by Lisa Ludwig, starring Joe Wiens, Todd Benzin, Philip Farugia, Paschal Frisina III, Greg Gjurich, Billy Horn, Robert “Ernie” Insana, Adrienne Lewis, Debbie Pappas, Lia Sumerano. Sep 10-Oct 12, Wed at 7, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Half-price preview, Sep 9 at 7. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

SPECIAL PRESENTATIONS:

FINNEGAN’S FAREWELL, dinner theater comedy by Kevin Alexander, presented by Lancaster Regional Players, directed by Eileen Stevic, starring Al McFadyen, June Caputi, Ron Ruggiero, Melissa Cumming, Bill Kennedy. Sep12 & 13 at 7. Buffalo Irish Center, 245 Abbott Road, Buffalo (825-6700).

UPCOMING:

DIVA BY DIVA: A Celebration of Women, presented by O’Connell & Company and Theatre of Youth. Sep 19 & 20 at 8, Sep 21 at 3 & 8. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400 x304).

DUSTY SPRINGFIELD…WITH YOU, biomusical devised and directed by Richard Lambert, starring Loraine O’Donnell, Eric Rawski. Sep 19-Oct 11, Thu-Sat at 8. Pay-what-you-can previews on Sep 17 & 18. New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

GIRLS NIGHT: THE MUSICAL, previews Sep 16 & 17, Sep 18-Oct 12, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2 Shea’s Smith Theatre, 660 Main St. (852-5000).

IN DE BEGINNIN’, musical by Oscar Brown Junior presented by Ujima Company, directed by Lorna C. Hill, starring Beverly Dove, Rodney Appleby, Philip Knoerzer, Bradd Marquis, Davida Tolbert, Shanntina Moore. Sep 19-Nov 16, Thu-Fri at 8, Sun at 6. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. (883-0380).

JESUS HOPPED THE A TRAIN, drama by Stephen Adly Guirgis directed by Rocco LaPenna, Sep 11-20, Thu-Sat at 8. Rust Belt Books, 202 Allen St.

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT, musical by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice presented by Niagara Fine Arts, directed by Gracie Schupp. Sep 12-28, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30 (Sep 19 at 8). Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

LIT 401: A SCHOOL SHOOTING IN ONE ACT, drama by Drew Derek and Gordon Tashjian presented by the New Alt Performance Group, directed by Drew McCabe. Sep 11-Oct 4, Thu-Sat at 8. The Alt Theatre, 255 Arrow Ave. (868-6847).

A LITTLE BIT OF PARADISE, world premiere of a play by Annette Daniels-Taylor, directed by Tim White. Sep 12-Oct 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

MAURITIUS, drama by Theresa Rebeck directed by Anne Gayley, starring Eileen Dugan, Brian Riggs, Kate LoConti, Sep 12-Oct 12, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. The Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

PALACE OF THE END, drama by Judith Thompson presented by the Subversive Theatre Collective, directed by Virginia Brannon, starring Kelly Beuth, Lawrence Rowswell, Dana Block. Sep 18-Oct 19, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 6. Sep 19 at 8:30 (no performance Oct 9). Manny Fried Playhouse, Great Arrow Building at 255 Great Arrow Ave. (408-0499).

RABBIT HOLE, drama by David Lindsay-Abaire directed by Todd Warfield, starring Joyce Stilson, Pamela Rose Mangus, Katie White, Jake Bradley, David Hayes. Sep 11-27, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

SOMETHING TO HIDE, mystery thriller by Leslie Sands, presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, directed by Keith A. Wharton, starring Thomas LaChuisa, Karen Szalach, David Hoffmann, Diane Curley, Pamela Snyder, Hasheen DeBerry, Britany Hagen. Sep 12-27, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30. Marie Maday Theatre at Canisius College (479-1587)

STAR QUALITY, comedy by Noel Coward, adapted by Christopher Luscombe, presented by the Irish Classical Theater Company, directed by Vincent O’Neill, starring Josephine Hogan, Chris Critelli, Chris Corporandy, Kathleen Betsko Yale, Michelle Eisen, Shannon McLellan, Tim Eimiller, Colleen Gaughan, Gerry Maher, Jennifer Fitzery, David Autovino. Sep 12-Oct 12, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).