Christian Brandjes, Jose Rivera, and Brian Mysliwy in "American Buffalo" at the Irish Classical.

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

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, comedy by Joseph Kesselring presented by the Niagara Regional Theatre Guild, directed by Les Bailey, starring Betsy Ross, Peg Merrill. May 3-19, Fri & Sat at 7:30, Sun at 3 (no performance May 12). The Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Rd., Tonawanda (284-6358).

BREAKING LEGS, comedy by Tom Dulack presented by Westerndoor Playhouse, directed by Chris Mongielo, starring Sam Fadel, Tom Fratirrigo, Sam Granieri, Bob Priest, Dede Secic, TomTurici. May 3-19, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30 (no performance May 12). Niagara Arts and Culture Center, 1201 Pine Ave., Niagara Falls (297-5910).

MOONLIGHT AND MAGNOLIAS, play by Ron Hutchinson presented by American Rep Theater of WNY, directed by Gail Golden, starring Guy Wagner, David C Mitchell, Todd Fuller, Jamie Nablo-Lama. May 2-18, Thu-Sat at 8. Bittner Hall, Church of the Ascension, 16 Linwood Ave.(634-1102). Read more in this week's Theater Week.

OEDIPUS REX: A FABULOUS TRAVESTY IN ONE ACT!, comic adaptation by Michael O’Donohoe, presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets, directed by Lara D. Haberberger, starring Kelly M. Beuth, Brittany Kucala, Mike Beiter, Theresa DiMuro Wilber, Diane McNamara, Jenny Gembka. May 2-18, Thu-Sat at 8 (no performance May 3). Rust Belt Books, Allen & Elmwood (574-9139).

Ongoing

AMERICAN BUFFALO, drama by David Mamter, presented by the Irish Classical Theatre Company, directed by Brian Cavanagah, starring Brian Mysliwy, Christian Brandjes, Jose Rivera. Through May 19, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 3 & 7:30, Sun at 2. Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St. (853-ICTC).

AUGUST: OSAGE COUNTY, dark comedy by Tracey Letts, starring Saul Elkin, Sheila McCarthy, Eileen Dugan, Tim Newell, Norman Sham, Kelli Bocock-Natale, Kristen Tripp-Kelley, Brian Riggs, Kelly Meg Brennan, Steve Jakiel, Steve Copps, Kay Kerimian, Zoe Appler. Through May 19, Thu & Fri at 7:30, Sat at 2 & 7, Sun at 2 (no evening performance on May 4). Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (829-7668).

BLOOD ON THE CAT’S NECK by R. W. Fassbinder, presented by Torn Space Theater, directed by Dan Shanahan, starring Jessica Wegrzyn, Angie Shriner, Diane Gaidry, Becky Globus, Johnny Toohill, Andy Kottler, James Wilde, Ivan Rodriguez, Bonnie Jean Taylor. Through May 18, Thu at 7:30, Fri & Sat at 8, plus May 19 at 7:30. The Adam Mickiewicz Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave. (812-5733).

THE CLEAN HOUSE, comic tragedy by Sarah Ruhl directed by Derek Campbell, starring Victoria Perez, Peter Palmisano, Mary McMahon, Christina Rausa, Margaret Massman. Through May 12, Thu-Sat at 7:30, Sun at 2. Road Less Traveled Theater, Market Arcade Film & Arts Centre, 639 Main St. (629-3069).

ON THE WATERFRONT, play by Budd Schulberg, presented by New Phoenix Theatre in collaboration with Subversive Theatre Collective, directed by Kurt Schneiderman, starring Matthew Nerber, Richard Lambert, Andrea Andolina, Victor Morales, Jack Agugliaro, Carlton Franklin, Gary Darling, Hasheen DeBerry, Leon S. Copeland Jr., Murry Galloway, Justin Fiordaliso, Jonathan Lee, Tom Scahill, John Kennedy, Stephen Harris. Through May 25, Thu-Sat at 8. New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park (853-1334). Read more in this week's Theater Week.

’SWONDERFUL: THE NEW GERSHWIN MUSICAL, conceived and written by Ray Roderick, co-directed by Michael Walline and Doug Weyand, starring Charmagne Chi, Nicole Marrale Cimato, John Fredo, Kelly Jakiel, Marc Sacco. Through May 19, Wed & Thu at 7, Fri at 8, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst (839-8540).

Closing

HORACE, new play by Jon Zelasko presented by Post-Industrial Productions, directed by Bob Van Valin, starring Mark Mumm, Maura Nolan, Arlynn Knauff, Steven Brachmann. Through May 4, Thu-Sat at 8. Manny Fried Playhouse, 255 Great Arrow Ave., 3rd floor (998-4271).

Special Presentations

THE ESSENCE OF LIGHTING: A Glimpse into the Lives of Jackie Kennedy, Maria Callas, and Marilyn Monroe, play written by and starring Celine Keefe, Megan Kemple, Brianna Lanoye. May 6 at 7:30. BUA Theater, 119 W. Chippewa St. (886-9239).

AN EVENING WITH THE STARS, musical revue directed by Christopher D. Parada, starring Amy Jakiel, Callie Bush, Corey Bieber, Matthew Iwanski, Robby Syruws. May 4 at 7:30. The Historic Palace Theatre, 2 East Ave., Lockport (438-1130).

Upcoming

FINAL NOTICE, comedy written and directed by L. Don Swartz presented by Starry Night Theatre, starring Mark Woomer, Carolyn Woomer, Paul Moukperian, Jessica Knoerl, Debby Swartz, Dan Torres, Jesse Swartz, Sharon Priest, Julie Senko, Kathy Ellis. May 9 at 7. May 10-25, Fri & Sat at 8, plus May 26 at 2. Ghostlight Theatre,170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda (743-16140).

THE GOD OF ISAAC, play by James Sherman presented by the Jewish Repertory Theatre, directed by Saul Elkin, starring Kristin Bentley, David Butler, Darleen Pickering Hummert, Lisa Ludwig, Tom Loughlin, Adam Yellen. May 9-Jun 2, Thu at 7:30, Sat at 4 & 8, Sun at 2. Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre, in the Jewish Community Center, 2640 N. Forest Road, Getzville (688-4114 ext. 391).

GRACE, drama by Craig Wright presented by the Alden Christian Theatre Society, directed by Kathy Sutter and Dylan Brozyna, starring Brozyna, Sarah Stroka, Kevin Nagel, Joseph Hoiden. May 9 at 7:30. May 10-18, Fri & Sat at 7:30, plus May 19 at 2:30. ACTS Beacon Cafe and Performing Arts Center 1470 Church St., Alden (937-7770).

JERSEY BOYS, touring production of the Broadway musical presented by Shea’s and Albert Nocciolino. May 8-18. Shea’s Performing Arts Center, 646 Main St. (1-800-745-3000). Read more in this week's Theater Week.

THE MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF FLAT STANLEY, musical based on the book by Jeff Brown, presented by Theatre of Youth, directed by Michael Walline, starring Beth Donohue, Robert Insana, Kerrykate Abel, Christopher Quinn, Michael Zito. May 10 at 7. May 11-Jun 2, Sat & Sun at 2 (no performance May 26 & 27). Allendale Theatre, 203 Allen St. (884.4400 x 304).

THE NORMAL HEART, drama by Larry Kramer presented by Buffalo United Artists, directed by Javier Bustillos, starring Brant Adamczyk , Caitlin Coleman, Kevin Craig, Kurt Erb, Timothy Patrick Finnegan, Dave Hayes, Matthew Crehan Higgins, James Mikula, Michael Seitz. May 17-Jun 9, Fri & Sat at 8, plus Jun 9 at 7 (no performance Jun 8). BUA Theater 119 W. Chippewa St. (886-9239).

TWO WEEKS UNTIL THE REST OF MY LIFE, play by Paulette D. Harris, adapted from the novel by Harold T. Fisher, directed by Mary Craig, starring Annette Christian, Chalma Warmley, Sandra Gilliam, Pete Johnson, Debbi Davis, Quaneajah Miller, Tiaona Loman. May 10-Jun 2, Fri & Sat at 8, Sun at 4 (May 12 at 6). Paul Robeson Theatre at the African American Cultural Center, 350 Masten Ave. (884-2013).

YOU CAN’T TAKE IT WITH YOU, comedy by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, presented by Aurora Players directed by Mark David Skura. May 17-Jun 2, Fri &Sat at 8, Sun at 2:30. Roycroft Pavilion, South Grove St. and Prospect Ave., East Aurora (687-6727).