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

DEFENDING THE CAVEMAN, one-man show presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino, starring Paul Perroni. Feb 4-14, Thu at 7:30, Fri at 8, Sat at 5 & 8, Sun at 2. Shea’s Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. (1-800-745-3000).

SKIRMISHES, drama by Catherine Hayes presented by Red Thread Theatre, directed by Kelli Bocock-Natale, starring Josephine Hogan, Eileen Dugan, Kathleen Betsko-Yale. Feb 4-27,Thu-Sat at 8. The New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Parkway (853-1334).

SWEET TOOTH, comedy by Mark Wild presented by Theatre Plus, directed by Lorna C. Hill, starring Andrea Andolina, Christopher S. Parada, Dayatra Hassan. Feb 4-20, Thu & Fri at 7:30. Sat at 4 & 8. Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley (852-2600).

WADING THROUGH THE LIGHT AND SHADOWS, written and conceived by David Butler, presented by the New Alt Performance Group, starring Kristin Bentley, David Butler, Michael Renna, Amy Taravella, Tim Newell. Feb 4 at 8. Feb 5-21, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 7. Alt Theatre, 255 Great Arrow Ave., 3rd floor (868-6847).

Ongoing

DR. JEKYLL & MR. HYDE, adapted by Jeffrey Hatcher presented by Kaleidoscope Theatre Productions, starring Patrick Cameron, Dan Greer, Amanda McCormick, Joe Spencer, Jeanne Vuich, Hugh Davis Through Feb 13, Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30. Lecture Hall in the Main Building at Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle (479-1587).

A LIGHT LUNCH, comedy by A.R. Gurney directed by Scott Behrend, starring David Hayes, Lisa Vitrano, Jessica Wegrzyn, Matt Witten. Through Feb 21, 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 more about Light Lunch in Theaterweek.

THE LION, THE WITCH, AND THE WARDROBE, adapted from the book by C.S. Lewis, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Kenneth Shaw, starring Danica Riddick, Justin Fiordaliso, Bethany Sparacio, Kevin Craig. Through Feb 14, Sat & Sun at 2. Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884-4400).

THE RELAPSE (or Virtue Endangered), comedy by John Vanbrugh presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Derek Campbell, starring Vincent O’Neill, Chris Corporandy, Todd Benzin, Aaron Pitre, Robert Rutland, Doug Crane, Gary Darling, Jim Maloy, Peter Jaskowiak, Diane Curley, Leah Russo, Mary Beth Lacki, Beth Donahue. Through Feb 14, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC). Watch a clip from The Relapse on Artvoice TV.

THE WIZ, Broadway musical by Charlie Smalls and William F. Brown, presented by O’Connell & Company, directed by Mary Kate O’Connell, starring Daniel Doctor, Sandra Gilliam, Lauren McGowan, Deon Oliverio, Victoria Perez, Shamelia Rogers, Mike Star, Lyndsey Leigh Thuerck, Todd Warfield. Through Feb 14, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Gleasner Hall, Erie Community College- North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville (848-0800).

Closing

AN INSPECTOR CALLS, drama by J.B Priestley presented by Theatre in the Mist. Jan 28 at 7:30. Through Feb 7, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2:30. Stella NiagaraTheater, Pletcher & Lower River Roads, Lewiston (1-877-856-0694).

CROSSROAD BLUES, world premiere of a musical conceived by Jim Runfola and Randall Kramer, written by Randall Kramer, directed by Richard Satterwhite, starring Billy McEwen, Sharon Bailey, Terrie George, George Brown, Don Hunley. Through Feb 7, 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).

INSIDE OUT: A DANSICAL, conceived by Veronica Irene and Victoria Pérez, presented by Theater Plus, directed by Victoria Pérez, starring JennaBeth Stockman, Allie Hartwick, Nick Cocchetto, Meghan Hinton. Through Feb 6, Thu-Sat at 8. Main Street Cabaret, 672 Main St. (852-2600).

YANKEE TAVERN, dramatic thriller by Steven Dietz, directed by Norman Sham, starring Stan Klimecko, Kate LoConti, Stewart Roth, Joseph Wiens Through Feb 7, Thu & Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

Special Presentations

BEAU JEST, staged reading of the comedy by James Sherman to benefit the Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by and starrign Saul Elkin, also starring Linda Stein, Paschal Frisina, Darleen Pickering Hummert, Jeffrey Coyle, Steve Abbott. Feb 6 at 7:30. JCC Benderson Building, 2640 North Forest Rd., Getzville (688-4114 ext. 3910).

MOMMY’S MARTINI HOUR!, cabaret performance starring Kerrykate Abel, Loraine O’Donnell, and Chuck Basil. Feb 6 at 8, Feb 7 at 7. BUA Theater, 119 Chippewa St. (886-9239).

Upcoming

THE BLUEST EYE, drama by Lydia R. Diamond based on the novel by Toni Morrison, directed by Paulette D. Harris. and Ibn Shabazz, starring Ebony Pace, Ciandre M. Taylor, Annette Christian, Germaine Robinson, Debbi Davis, Ashley Dolson, John Vines, Marcus Thompson Jr. Feb 12- Mar 7. Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4. Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013).

THE HEIRESS, drama by Ruth and Augustus Goetz, chamber theater production presented by the Playhouse of American Classics, directed by Terence McDonald, starring Jennifer Fitzery, Keith Elkins, Andrew Starr, Kate Olena, Jennifer Toomey Starr, Diane Gaidry, Donna Jeffords, Adam Kehrer, Jenna Winnett. Feb 12-14, Fri at 8, Sat at 2, Sun at 2 & 6. Buffalo & Erie County Historical Society, 25 Nottingham Court at Elmwood Ave. (873-9644 ext. 301).

NOSFERATU: THE LEGEND OF DRACULA, thriller written and directed by L. Don Swartz, starring Daniel Arrasjid, Joann V. Mis, Vanessa Stipkovits, Drew Krause, Gabrielle Gagliardo, Paul McGinnis. Feb 11 at 8. Feb 12-27, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Feb 28 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck Street in North Tonawanda (743-1614).

THE VAGINA MONOLOGUES, by Eve Ensler. A special V-Day benefit performance for Crisis Services, directed by Kelly Beuth. Feb 11 & 12 at 7:30. Unitarian Universalist Church, 695 Elmwood Ave.