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 Shots The Magic of Christmas O'Connell & Company at ECC North The stars of The Magic of Christmas: Stephanie Bax, Gregory Gjurich, Mary Gjurich, and Guy Tomassi. Pyretown Ujima Theater Company The valiant cast of Pyretown: Tammy Reger, Hugh Davis, and Michele Ninacs.

Opening

THE BEST CHRISTMAS PAGEANT EVER by Barbara Robinson, presented by the Aurora Players, directed by Michael Breen. Dec 3-6, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. The Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park, S. Grove St., East Aurora (697-6727).

CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, solo performance conceived, written, directed by, and starring Mike Randall. Dec 11-13, 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, Syndi Starr, Katy Clancy, Roger Van Dette, Christopher S. Parada, David C. Mitchell, Pamela Rose Mangus. Dec 10-20, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 5 & 8, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

A CHRISTMAS TWIST!, holiday parody directed by Peter Michael Marino, presented by the New Alt Performance Group, starring Tim Newell, David Lundy, Afrim Gjonbalaj, David Butler, Contance McEwen, Shaun McLaughlin, Bethany Sparacio. Dec 11- 30, Wed-Sat at 8 (no performances Dec 24 & 25), plus Dec 29 at 8 & Dec 31 at 7. Matinees at 3, Dec 19, 26 & 27. Alt Theatre, 255 Great Arrow Ave., 3rd floor (868-6847).

THE SNOW QUEEN, based on the fairytale by Hans Christian Andersen, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Mary McMahon, Danica Riddick, Justin Fiordaliso, Kathleen Gaffney, Kurt Erb, Laura Bevilacqua. Dec 11 at 7. Dec 12-20, Sat at 2 & 5:30, Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400).

Ongoing

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, Christmas play written and directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Debby Koszelak Swartz, Joann V. Mis, Jesse Swartz, Trey Wydysh, Vanessa Stipkovits, Julie Senko, Daniel Arrasjid. Dec 3 at 8; Dec 4-19, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Dec 20 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck Street in North Tonawanda (743-1614).

THE MAGIC OF CHRISTMAS, a holiday spectacular presented by O’Connell & Company, starring Stephanie Bax, Daniel Doctor, Gregory Gjurich, Mary Gjurich, Guy Tomassi, the Matthew Clark Academy Dancers. Dec 3 at 7:30. Dec 4-20, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Gleasner Hall, Erie Community College- North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800).

PYRETOWN, drama by John Belluso presented by Ujima Theatre Company, directed by Willie Judson, starring Michele Ninacs, Drew Piatek, Tammy Reger. Dec 4-20, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 6. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. (883-0380).

Closing

ALICE IN WONDERLAND by Lewis Carroll, presented by the Towne Players, directed by Randy Rumley, starring Jessica Stahr, Alex Buel, Katherine Ventresca, Bo Dejneka, Mary Lelonek, Mark DiPasquale, Michaelene LaNave. Dec 4-13, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. The Sheridan Parkside Community Center Theatre, 169 Sheridan-Parkside Drive, Tonawanda (693-9641).

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS: The Music Of Vince Guaraldi, concert presentation directed by Scott Behrend. Through Dec 13, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, original musical by Edward G. Smith, directed by June L. Saunders Duell, starring Roger Lamont Killian, Annette Christian, Nicolas Cofield, Evanette Viera, Charles Everhart, Claude Hill, Cynthia Maxwell. Through Dec 13, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013).

SHE STOOPS TO CONQUER, comedy by Oliver Goldsmith presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Doug Zschiegner. Dec 3-13, Thu at 7, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. NU Theatre at the Church, 415 Plain St., Lewiston (286-8685). See Anthony Chase's preview of She Stoops to Conquer on Artvoice TV.

UH-OH, HERE COMES CHRISTMAS, musical by Ernest Zulia and David Caldwell, based on the books by Robert Fulghum, presented by Theatre in the Mist. Dec 3 at 7:30. Dec 5-13, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Stella Niagara, corner of Pletcher and Lower River Rd., Lewiston (1-877-856-0694).

Special Presentations

DIVA BY DIVA: A Celebration of Women, presented by O’Connell & Company. Dec 16, 23 at 7:30. Gleasner Hall, Erie Community College- North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800).

THE GUILTY HOPE, reading of a play by Hunter Fernandez, presented by Road Less Traveled Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop, directed by Kristen Tripp Kelley. Dec 14 at 7. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry, directed by Doug Zschiegner, starring Joseph Demerly, Eileen Dugan, Michael Hake, Phil Knoerzer, Ian Lithgow, Gerry Maher, Debbie Pappas. Dec 16-20. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

MOMMY’S MARTINI HOUR!, cabaret performance starring Kerrykate Abel, Loraine O’Donnell, and Chuck Basil. Dec 11-19, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239).