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

BLACKBIRD, drama by David Harrower directed by Kelli Bocock-Natale, starring Richard Lambert, Candice Kogut. Apr 2-25, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

DROOD, musical by Rupert Holmes presented by UB Department of Theatre and Dance, directed by Gary John LaRosa. Apr 1-5, Wed-Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2. Drama Theatre, UB Center for the Arts (645-ARTS).

JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR, touring production of the musical by Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber, presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino, starring Ted Neeley. Apr 7 at 7:30. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (852-5000).

THANKFUL, gospel comedy play written, directed, and produced by Carlos V. Spencer. Apr 3 at 8. Forbes Theatre, 512 Pearl St. (602-9669).

WATERBOARDING BLUES, written and directed by Kurt Schneiderman, presented by the SubversiveTheatre Collective, starring Gordon Tashjian, Dennis Keefe, James Wild, Robert “Hodie” Hodas, Jessica Stuber, John Vines, Travis Hedland. Apr 3-19, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 6 (no performance Apr 12). The Manny Fried Playhouse, Great Arrow Building, 255 Great Arrow Ave. (408-0499).

Ongoing

BUFFALO QUICKIES, annual festival of new one-act plays directed by Joyce Stilson, starring Sheila Connors, Carlton Franklin, Christopher S. Parada, Tammy Reger, Michael Seitz, Louise Reger. Through Apr 11, Thu & Sat at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

IN GABRIEL’S KITCHEN, drama by Salvatore Antonio presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Chris Kelly, starring Adam Rath, James Konidis, John Kaczorowski, Kerrykate Abel, Darryl Hart. Through Apr 18, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Apr 5 at 7 (no performances Apr 3 & 4). BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239).

THE SMOKING GUN TRIO, local playwright showcase featuring an three one-act plays by Mark Humphrey, Matthew LaChiusa, Michael Votta, presented by American Repertory Theater of WNY, starring Michael Votta, Alaina Renee Miller, Andrew Michalski, Marie Hasselback Costa, Drew Derek, Hugh Davis, Brian Bernys, Jacob Albarella. Through Apr 11, Thu- Sat at 7:30, Sun at 6:30, plus Apr 8 at 7:30. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. (884-4858).

Closing

GODSPELL, musical by Stephen Schwartz presented by Rocking Horse Productions. Through Apr 5, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

HEDDA GABLER, drama by Henrik Ibsen adapted by Andrew Upton, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Derek Campbell, starring Christian Brandjes, Catherine Eaton, Kathleen Betsko Yale, Kristen Tripp Kelley, Vincent O’Neill, Matt Semler, Beth Donohue. Through Apr 5, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).

HONUS & ME by Steven Dietz, adapted from the from the book by Dan Gutman, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Arlene Clement, Mary McMahon, Guy Balotine, Bryan Patrick Stoyle, Aaron Krygier, Chris Corporandy, James Heffron, Kurt Guba. Through Apr 5, Sat & Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400).

HOT ’N COLE: A COLE PORTER CELEBRATION, musical revue devised by David Armstrong, Mark Waldrop and Bruce W. Coyle, directed by Michael Walline, starring Kelly Meg Brennan, Katy Miner, Matthew Mooney, Tom Owen, Marc Sacco, Kathy Weese. Through Apr 5, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. The Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

THE SNOW BALL by A.R. Gurney, presented by Aurora Players, directed by Michael Breen, starring Monish Bhattacharyya, Kate Huthmaker, Tara Potzler, Justyne Harris, Joe Cassidy, Garret Shea. Through Apr 4, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park, Prospect and South Grove streets, East Aurora (687-6727).

SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, musical by Sondheim and Lapine, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Nicole Marrale Cimato, Louis Colaiacovo, Robert J. Cooke, Steve Copps, Jeffrey Coyle, Doug Crane, Paschal Frisina III, Amy Jakiel, Kelly Jakiel, Kevin R. Kennedy, SheilaMcCarthy, Debbie Pappas, Anne Roaldi, Leah Russo, Jenn Stafford. Through Apr 5, 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).

2009 ONE ACTS, featuring Suddenly Last Summer by Tennessee Williams & Desire! Desire! Desire! by Christopher Durang. Through Apr 4, Fri & Sat at 8. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).

Special Presentations

BLACK COMEDY, farce by Peter Shaffer, starring John Buscaglia, Kevin Craig, Margo Davis, Mary Ann Moselle, Alyssa Wentling, Randy Reese, Scott Thomas, Derek Donogher. Through May 2, Thu & Sat dinner at 6, show at 8. Sun, dinner at 5, show at 7. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster (683-7767).

FEMMES DE LETTRES/LETTRES DE FEMMES (Women of Letters), vignettes from French women authors produced by Theatre de la Chandelle Verte. Apr 4 at 2 & 6. Black Box Theatre, UB Center for the Arts (645-2280).

LAFFERTY’S WAKE, interactive musical comedy/dinner theater presented by Actors Anonymous Theatre Company, directed by Kevin Barwell, starring John Cronyn, Mary Ann Reisdorf, Corey Jelowski, Mike Ficorelli, Mary Barrett, Patty Hannel, John Pirrone, Steve Petix. Apr 3 & 4 at 7. Magruder’s Banquet Facility,4995 Broadway, Depew (633-4355).

THE UNDERPANTS, readers’ theater production of the play by Steve Martin presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Amanda Sharpe. Apr 2-5, Thu at 7, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2. The Castellani Art Museum, on the NU campus (286-8685).

Upcoming

BADA BING! BADA BOOM!, musical comedy conceived and written by Paul Maisano, directed by Randall Kramer, starring Louis Colaiacovo, Paschal Frisina III, Lisa Ludwig & Maisano. Apr 22-May 24, 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).

THE MAN WHO HAD ALL THE LUCK, drama by Arthur Miller, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Bob Grabowski, Gerry Maher, Matt Witten, Cassie Gorniewicz, Greg Natale, Peter Jaskowiak, Jim Maloy, Steve Jakiel, Steve Copps, Jeanne Cairns. Apr 17-May 17, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2 (no performance Apr 19). Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

THE THREEPENNY OPERA, musical by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weil presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Doug Zschiegner. Preview Apr 23 at 7. Apr 24, May 1 & 2 at 8; Apr 30 at 7; Apr 26 & May 3 at 2. The Leary Theatre, Clet Hall NU campus (286-8685).