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

ALMOST MAINE, comedy by John Cariani presented by Niagara University Theatre, directed by Gregory Fletcher. Sep 30-Oct 9, Thu at 7, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Leary Theatre, Clet Hall, NU campus (286-8685).

OLIVER!, classic Broadway musical presented by the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, starring Adam Kluge, Kim Petersdorf, Paul Bene, Lisa Fletcher, Andrea Letcher, Scott Mackmin. Oct 1-16, Fri & Sat at 7:30, plus Oct 10 at 3. Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (284-6358).

SOMETHING’S AFOOT!, mystery spoof musical by McDonald, Vos, and Gerlach, presented by Lancaster Regional Players, directed by Bob Alonzo, starring Karen Eichler, John Lynch, Nikki Markey , Vince Martino, Katy Miner, Andrew Spragge, William Steffen, Gail Stengel, Gary Stevenson, Darren Wojcicki. Oct 1-10, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).

Ongoing

FOREVER PLAID, musical by Stuart Ross, directed by Dale Sandish, starring Paschal Frisina III, Andy Herr, Nicholas Lama, Marc Sacco. Through Oct 10, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

THE FURIES OF MOTHER JONES, musical by Maxine Klein presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Megan Callahan, starring Sharon Strait, Leah Russo, Marshall Maxwell, and the Erie Lackawanna Railroad Band. Through Oct 9, Thu-Sat at 8. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499). Read Anthony Chase's review of The Furies of Mother Jones in this week's Theaterweek.

IN A DARK DARK HOUSE, thriller by Neal LaBute directed by Joe Natale, starring Drew Kahn, Richard Lambert, Lisa Sperry. Through Oct 9, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). Read Anthony Chase's review of In A Dark House in the September 16th edition of Theaterweek.

LADY DAY AT EMERSON’S BAR & GRILL, by Lanie Robertson, directed by Mary Craig, starring Joyce Carolyn. Through 10, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013). Read Anthony Chase's review of Lady Day at Emerson's Bar and Grill in this week's Theaterweek.

THE PRIDE, play by Alexi Kaye Campbell presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Drew McCabe, starring Wendy Hall, Chris Kelly, Michael Renna, Doug Weyand. Through Oct 16, Fri & Sat at 8. BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239).

RUINED, drama by Lynn Nottage presented by Ujima Company, directed by Lorna C. Hill, starring Annette Daniels Taylor, Zoe Viola Scruggs, Shanntina Moore, Chantal Dubose, Hugh Davis, Donald Capers, Willie Judson, Peter Johnson, Monish Bhattacharyya . Carlton Franklin. Through Oct 10, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 6. TheaterLoft, 545 Elmwood Ave. (883-0380). Read Anthony Chase's review of Ruined in the September 23rd edition of Theaterweek.

SHOUT! THE MOD MUSICAL, musical created by Phillip George and David Lowenstein, directed by Lisa Ludwig, starring Amy Jakiel, Michele Marie Roberts, Nancy Sam, Hannah L. Sharp, Lyndsey Leigh Thuerck. Through Oct 17, 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). Read Anthony Chase's review of Shout! in the September 16th edition of Theaterweek.

TRACE, an original performance presented by Torn Space, written and directed by Dan Shanahan, starring Diane Gaidry, Andrew Kottler, Giovanni Joy. Through Oct. 9, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Oct 10 at 8. Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave. (812-5733). Read Anthony Chase's review of Trace in this week's Theaterweek.

Closing

THE CANT, world premiere of the play by Shay Linehan, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Fortunato Pezzimenti in association with Vincent O’Neill, starring Patrick Moltane, Brian Mysliwy, Josephine Hogan, Mark Donahue, Katie White, Vincent O’Neill, Tom Zindle, Gerry Maher, Mary Ramsey. Through Oct 3, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). Read Anthony Chase's review of The Cant in the September 16th edition of Theaterweek.

THE COUPLE NEXT DOOR, world premiere of the comedy by Donna Hoke, directed by Scott Behrend, starring Kelly Meg Brennan, Matt Witten, Luke Wager, Natalie Mack. Through Oct 3, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). Read Anthony Chase's review of The Couple Next Door in the September 16th edition of Theaterweek.

MOOKIE CRANKS A TATER!, comedy by Joe Palka, directed by Neal Radice, starring David C. Mitchell, Joyce Stilson, Andréa Andolina, Michael Seitz, Maria Pendolino, Christopher Standart. Through Oct 2, Thu-Sat at 7:30. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

WORKING, musical by Stephen Schwartz based on the Studs Terkel book, presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Mary Kate O’Connell, starring Susana Breese, Erin Brignone, Lisa Dee, Marc-Jon Filippone, Todd Fuller, Gregory Gjurich, Mary Coppola Gjurich, Michael Izard, Dudney Joseph, Pamela Rose Mangus, Victoria Perez, Guy Tomassi, Roger Van Dette. Through Oct 3, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Erie Community College North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800). Read Anthony Chase's review of Working in the September 16th edition of Theaterweek.

Special Presentations

PRACTICAL TIME TRAVEL, reading of a play by Vincent Scarsella, presented by Road Less Traveled Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop, directed by Craig Staufenberg, starring Kristin Bentley, Courtney Weather. Oct 4 at 7. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

NEVERMORE: An exPOEration!, performance piece based on the work of Edgar Allan Poe, presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara Haberberger, starring Kelly Beuth, Heather Fangsrud, Jane Cudmore, Theresa DiMuro Wilber, Brittany Kucala, Amy Gore. Through Oct 9, Thu-Sat at 8. Rust Belt Books, Allen and Elmwood (574-9139).

WALLEY’S CAFÉ, comedy by Ron Clark and Sam Bobrick, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Derek Donogher, Lisa Hinca, Michelle Bates-Buckle. Through Nov 21, Thu & Sat dinner at 6, show at 8. Sun, dinner at 5, show at 7. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster (683-7767).

Upcoming

A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM, musical by Shevelove, Gelbart, and Sondheim, presented by Aurora Players, directed by David Hall, starring Ken Smyntek, Christopher Conti, Jessica Goodison, Chris Best, Ann Grimaldi, Jeff Maris, Rebecca Runge, Christopher Rimes, Jim Mosner, Jeff Wichtowski. Oct 8-24, Thu & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Roycroft Pavilion in Hamlin Park, South Grove St., East Aurora (687-6727).

THE LAST NIGHT OF BALLYHOO, drama by Alfred Uhry presented by the Jewish Repertory Theatre of WNY, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Patrick Cameron, Ryan Cupello, Jennifer Leibowitz, Lisa Ludig, Peter Palmisano, Linda Stein, Bonnie Jean Taylor. Oct 14-Nov 7, Thu at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (688-4114 x 391).

MARY POPPINS, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Previews Oct 14 at 2 & 7. Oct 15- 31, Tue-Thu at 7, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 1 & 6:30. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

THE MOUSETRAP, murder mystery by Agatha Christie, directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Jaime Faulhaber, Paul McGinnis, Mark Woomer, Drew Krause, Julie Senko, Carl Tamburlin, Carolyn Woomer. Oct 7 at 7. Oct 8-23, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Oct 24 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).

THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR. HYDE, play by Eberle Thomas and Barbara Redmond based on the book by R.L. Stevenson, presented by the Mystery Company, directed by Jerry Kelly, starring David Mitchell. Alexis Guay, Brook Heatley, Katherine Ventresca, Les Bailey, Suzie Marranca, Penny Striker, Ed Kowalski, Robert Wagner, Donna Manquen . Oct 15-24, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30, plus Oct 21 at 7:30. Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster (683-1776).