Stage and movie star Patrick Wilson is now back on Broadway starring in the revival of Arthur Miller’s All My Sons, which also stars John Lithgow, Diane Wiest, and Katie Holmes. Buffalonian Lizbeth MacKay, who was last seen on Broadway in Miller’s The Price, is also featured in the cast and is the understudy for Wiest. Wilson, who can currently be seen in the movie Lakeview Terrace, made a splash on Broadway back in 2000 when he starred in The Full Monty, the musical version of the popular British movie.

Patrick Wilson

Speaking of movies turned to musicals, Broadway will have quite a few of those coming its way this season. Opening this fall, Billy Elliot, Shrek the Musical, and 9 to 5. Also, after having been performed all over the country, Irving Berlin’s White Christmas will finally make it to Broadway for a limited engagement in November, starring Jeffry Denman. A musical version of The First Wives Club opens in San Diego next year, and still in the works after a couple of regional outings, Sister Act.

The touring production of Legally Blonde will play Shea’s October 14-19, and it will feature UB graduate Adam Zelasko, last seen in Buffalo at Musicalfare. Most recently, he was in the national tour of Thoroughly Modern Millie. The Broadway production of Legally Blonde, which opened in April 2007, will close, coincidentally, on October 19.

After a year hiatus, Ujima Company is now celebrating its 30th anniversary season, which kicked off with a revival of In De Beginnin’. The 30th birthday party on September 27 was attended by several of the company’s current and former members, including out-of-towners Sarah Norat and Gerald Ramsey. Ramsey was the original Adam (now being played expertly by newcomer Bradd Marquis) in Ujima’s first production of In De Beginnin’ almost 20 years ago. The season will continue in February with Durrenmatt’s The Visit, directed by Phil Knoerzer and starring Lorna C. Hill as Claire.

Coming up next at the New Phoenix, Conor McPherson’s The Seafarer, which was just on Broadway this past season and was nominated for a Tony Award. The production will be co-directed by Robert Waterhouse and Joe Natale and will star Richard Lambert, Dan Walker, and Steve Cops. Later in the season, Natale will be directing another Irish play, Martin McDonagh’s The Beauty Queen of Leenane. The production will mark the long-awaited return to the stage of Mary Loftus, who will star opposite Betsy Bittar.

Shakespeare in Delaware Park will have its Third Annual Fall Fundraiser on November 16 at the Buffalo Seminary. Christina Rausa will play Emily Dickinson in William Luce’s The Belle of Amherst. For tickets, call 856-4533

Susana Breese and Matt Mooney will play Audrey and Seymour in the popular musical Little Shop of Horrors at the Lancaster Opera House October 24-November 2. Directed by Bret Runyon, with musical direction by Theresa Quinn, the show will feature a brand new Audrey II plant created by Runyon.

The fabulous Michele Ragusa is back on Broadway at the Hilton Theater starring in the musical Young Frankenstein, where she took over the part created by Megan Mullally. Several years ago Ragusa was at the same theater starring in the musical Ragtime played Evelyn Nesbit. This time, she is occupying the star dressing room. Mullally left a sofa for her! Incidentally, in a couple of weeks, Ragusa will take part in the reading of a Broadway bound new musical: Grumpy Old Men. Based on the 1993 movie, the reading will also feature another Buffalonian, Conrad John Shuck.