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

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, Joyce Stilson. Dec 9-19, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 5 & 8, Sun at 2. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

DREAMGIRLS, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. Dec 14-19, Tue-Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 2 & 8, Sun at 2 & 7. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

A LITTLE HOUSE CHRISTMAS, based on the book by Laura Ingalls Wilder, adapted for the stage by James DeVita, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Meg Quinn, starring Guy Balotine, Beth Donohue, Andrea Rodriguez, Kaila Rose Proulx, Roger Keicher, Tim Newell, Christina Rausa, Morgan Parnitzke, Kareem Haq. Dec 10 at 7. Dec 11-19 Sat & Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400).

THE PIPES ARE CALLING: An Elegy to Dan Higgins, Sr., written and performed by Matthew Crehan Higgins, presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Javier Bustillos. Dec 10-18, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239).

A TOTALITARIAN CHRISTMAS, holiday farce by Clinton Hours presented by Subversive Theatre, directed by Kurt Schneiderman, starring Lawrence Rowswell, Kent Bostock, Tom Izard, John Kehoe, Sara Ball,Brittany Kucala,Emilie Pryor, Hillary Rose, Gabriel Mirizio, Joy Scime. Dec 8-18, Thu-Sat at 8 plus Dec 22 at 8. The Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., third floor (408-0499).

Ongoing

A CHARLIE BROWN CHRISTMAS: The Music Of Vince Guaraldi, concert presentation directed by Doug Weyand, starring Bonnie Jean Taylor. Through Dec 19, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 4:30 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

A CHRISTMAS CAROL by Charles Dickens, starring L. Don Swartz, Mark Woomer, Joann Mis, Camryn Porter, Carl Tamburlin, DJ Swartz, Dan Zerpa. Through Dec 18, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Dec 19 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-1614).

MURDER SQUARED, world premiere of a play by Gary Earl Ross presented by Ujima Theatre Company, directed by Gary Earl Ross and Robert Ball, starring Darryl Hart, Tilke Hill, Hugh Davis, Alexis Koetting, Arron Krygier, Samantha Sherwood, Rich Kraemer, Mary Moebius, Donald Capers. Through Dec 19, Thu-Sat at 8, Sun at 6. Theaterloft, 545 Elmwood Ave. (883-0380).

OUR SONG, American premiere of a play by Keith Waterhouse, directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring Richard Lambert, Kelly Meg Brennan, Christian Brandjes, Jeffrey Coyle, Guy De Federicis, Pamela Rose Mangus, Bethany Sparacio. Through Dec 18, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre on the Park, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334).

Closing

CABARET, musical by Kander and Ebb, directed by Randall Kramer, starring John Fredo, Kelly Jakiel, Steve Copps, Nicole Benoit, Sheila Connors, Philip Farugia, Robert Insana, Tara Kaczorowski, Adrienne Lewis, Jessica Stuber, Jonathan Young. Through Dec 12, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

HOME FOR THE HOLIDAYS, world premiere of a play with music by Jason R. Bek, presented by Theatre in the Mist, directed by Bek, starring Sara Jo Kukulka, Jerry Mosey, Jean Speck, Alessandro Renzi, Susan Laxton, Lisa Marie Leone, Bill Kennedy, Molly Harding, Deanne Lester, Kelly Bancroft Billings, Todd Bancroft Billings. Through Dec12, Fri-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2 (no performance Dec 10). Stella Niagara Theater, Pletcher and Lower River Roads, Lewiston (1-877-856-0694).

Special Presentations

THE BROWN BULL OF CUAILNGE, reading of a play by Neil Wechsler, presented by Road Less Traveled Emanuel Fried New Play Workshop, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Vincent O’Neill, Brian Mysliwy, Jim Maloy, Jay Pichardo. Dec 13 at 7. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

EBENEZER: DO YOU BELIEVE A MAN CAN CHANGE?, actor/playwright Lee John presents the back story on Dickens’ classic Christmas ghost story, in a one-man show. Dec 15 & 16 at 7:30. Evergreen Conference Center, 119 W. Chippewa. Tickets $10, to benefit AIDS Community Services. (661-6153).

MY THREE ANGELS, comedy by Sam and Bella Spewack, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Rob Dziechciarz, Chris Turton, Tim Reinsel, Kevin Craig, Ben Sheedy, Ariel Mombrea, Valerie Lohr, Bill Baldwin, Katherine Ventressca, Michael Volansky. Through Jan 30, weekdays & Sat, dinner at 6, show at 8; Sun dinner at 5, show at 7. Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster (683-7767).

Upcoming

CHARLES DICKENS PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, solo performance conceived, written, directed by, and starring Mike Randall. Dec 16-19, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

IT’S A WONDERFUL LIFE: A Live Radio Play by Joe Landry. Dec 16-19. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).