The original "Karate Kid," Ralph Macchio

The original “Karate Kid” Ralph Macchio , who will be turning 49 this year, is avidly seeking a return to the stage. He recently took part in an industry reading of a new comedy in New York with Mario Cantone and Shannen Doherty. Macchio made his Broadway debut in 1986 in the play Cuba and His Teddy Bear, which also starred Robert DeNiro. In 1996, he played the lead in the touring production of How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying. The remake of The Karate Kid was one of the top 10 grossing movies this past summer.

On October 23 at 9pm, Torn Space will hold its Prom of the Dead Costume Ball and Fundraiser at the Dnipro Ukrainian Cultural Center on 562 Genesee St. Free drinks from 9pm to 10pm. James Wild and Ron Ehmke of Real Dream Cabaret will be the emcees.

The Alt Performance Group brings back its Artie Award winning production of Evil Dead: The Musical, October 7-31. Directed by Bret Runyon, the production will star Casey Denton, reprising his Artie Award winning performance as Ash.

American Repertory Theater kicks off its fourth season with Twilight Zone Redux, a staged adaptation of the classic TV show Twilight Zone, written and directed by Drew McCabe, starring Jacob Albarella, Lisa Dee, Lauren Cichon, Lindsay Salamone, Bryan Patrick Stoyle, and Jeffrey Coyle. The production will run October 14-30 at Buffalo East, located at 1410 Main Street. The company’s 2010-11 season will also include Murder Squared by Gary Earl Ross, and Neil Simon’s Laughter on the 23rd Floor.

Theater Jugend, a new company created by Justin Karcher and Drew McCabe, will make its debut on November 4 at Buffalo East with Karcher’s The Last of the Sensitive Bastards, directed by McCabe. The production will star Michael Renna, Joy Scime and James Wild. And in March, joined by Trajicom Productions, Theater Jugend will present Ionesco’s The Bald Soprano, starring Chris Standart and Elizabeth Oddy.

Josephine Hogan returns to the Kavinoky to star opposite David Lamb in Noel Coward’s Present Laughter. This will be Lamb’s third turn playing the lead, Garry Essendine, a role in which he is sensational. Anne Gayley directs once again with a stellar cast including Eileen Dugan, Tess Spangler, Kathleen Betsko Yale, Lisa Vitrano, Michele Benzin, Gerry Maher, David Lundy, Robert Rutland, and Joe Demerly (oh gee, who will make the pre-curtain speech announcements now?)

Michael Renna, Doug Weyand, Wendy Hall, and Chris Kelly

Later in the season, Lamb will direct A.R. Gurney’s The Grand Manner (April 29-May 29), which just premiered in New York. The play focuses on the great American actress from Buffalo, Katharine Cornell. No cast announced yet. Gurney will also be represented this season at Road Less Traveled, with his one act Screen Play, directed by Scott Behrend and starring David Hayes (March 4-27). Keeping very busy, Gurney’s new play Office Hours is currently in New York at The Flea, and his play, Black Tie, will have its world premiere in January at Primary Stages.

BUA kicks off its theatrical season with the Western New York premiere of The Pride, a British play by Alexi Kaye Campbell, winner of a 2009 Olivier Award. The play had its American premiere in New York earlier this year. Directed by very busy Drew McCabe, the production stars Michael Renna, Doug Weyand, Wendy Hall, and Chris Kelly .