Shea’s Smith Theatre announces 2019-20 Season featuring residencies by O’Connell & Company and Second Generation Theatre

Shea’s Smith Theatre announced its 2019-20 Season before an audience of local theater enthusiasts at Shea’s Buffalo Theatre. Shea’s Performing Arts Center President Michael G. Murphy revealed the Shea’s Smith Season will consist of seven productions, four from O’Connell & Company and three from Second Generation Theatre.

The O’Connell & Company productions include Gentlemen Prefer DIVAs: BROADWAY LEGENDS, A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE, NUNSENSE A-MEN!, and Betsy Carmichael’s Hawaiian Luau BINGO as part of an O’Connell & Company residency at Shea’s Smith Theatre.

The Second Generation Theatre residency consists of CABARET, THREE TALL WOMEN, and TOXIC AVENGER.

“We look forward to O’Connell & Company and Second Generation Theatre calling the Smith Theatre home for another theatre season,” Murphy said. “Our many local theatre companies are kindred spirits that make up the soul of Western New York’s theatre community, and we are fortunate that so much talent and passion exists in our region.”

For more information on the 2019-20 Season at Shea’s Smith Theatre, visit www.sheas.org.

Gentlemen Prefer DIVAs: BROADWAY LEGENDS O’Connell & Company || created and written by Mary Kate O’Connell September 20, 2019
Curtain Up! 2019 – one night only at the Shea’s Smith Theatre, celebrate the Legends of the Broadway Muiscals that have made a great impact on Western New York. Gentlemen Prefer DIVAs: BROADWAY LEGENDS salutes the renowned shows and performers that have graced our Buffalo stages from Shea’s to Melody Fair and every stage in between. Relive these wonderful shows that have entertained WNY audiences over the years in music, stories and quotes and featuring an all-star cast.

A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE O’Connell & Company || written by Dean Regan
November 29- December 8, 2019
A CLOSER WALK WITH PATSY CLINE chronicles singer Patsy Cline and her compelling journey. Featuring her greatest hits, including “Walkin’ After Midnight,” “Crazy” and “I Fall to Pieces,” this production will transport you back in time. With great tunes, a great band, and country music’s greatest lady, this show will have you singing the whole way home! This show is presented through Marquis Entertainment Inc.

NUNSENSE A-MEN! O’Connell & Company || written by Dan Goggin
January 24-February 2, 2020
NUNSENSE A-MEN! is the original Nunsense show with all the characters being portrayed by male musical comedy performers. Done totally seriously, this show is, to quote a critic, “no drag.” When the Little Sisters of Hoboken discover their cook has accidentally poisoned 52 of the nuns, they are in dire need of funds for their burial. The sisters decide that the best way to raise the money is to put on a variety show. Think Mrs. Doubtfire goes to the convent for this delightfully funny and heartfelt show. This show is presented through a special arrangement with Samuel French, Inc. Betsy Carmichael’s Hawaiian Luau

BINGO O’Connell & Company || an original interactive comedy by Joey Bucheker & Mary Kate O’Connell
February 27-March 1, 2020
Aloha! It’s Hawaiian nite at the BINGO Palace with Betsy Carmichael’s Hawaiian Luau BINGO. Betsy Carmichael the Big BINGO Kahuna is pulling out all the stops as she hosts another unforgettable night of BINGO. Grab your lucky trolls and grass skirts and brush up on your limbo. All winners will get leid! Maholo.

CABARET Second Generation Theatre Company
June 12-28, 2020
Cliff Bradshaw, an American author working on a novel in Berlin, encounters Sally Bowles at the seedy Kit Kat Klub where she sings. When she is fired by the club’s owner, also her jealous boyfriend, she moves in with Cliff and the two fall in love. As the Nazis begin taking control of the German government, the atmosphere of the Kit Kat Klub and the lives of Cliff and Sally begin to change dramatically.

THREE TALL WOMEN Second Generation Theatre Company
March 20-April 5, 2020
Three women of different ages talk about their lives and their relationships with their families. Gradually it emerges that they may all be the same woman.

TOXIC AVENGER
Second Generation Theatre Company October 25-November 10, 2019
Based on Lloyd Kaufman’s cult 1984 comedy film, this show follows the nerdy Melvin Ferd the Third, an aspiring earth scientist determined to clean up his state’s major toxic waste problem. When a corrupt Mayor and her government goons get wind of his plans, they vow to stop this heroic feat. Melvin is attacked and tossed into a vat of toxic waste… transforming him instantly into The Toxic Avenger, New Jersey’s first superhero! Toxie is a 7-foot mutant freak with superhuman strength and a supersized heart to match. His aims are to save heavily polluted New Jersey, end global warming, win the heart of the prettiest (blindest) librarian in town – and get home in time for dinner!

About Shea’s Smith Theatre: Once Laube’s Old Spain, now a 237 seat “black box” theatre, Shea’s Smith Theatre has played host to Off-Broadway productions, comedy and collaborative productions with local theatre companies since 2000. Somewhat of a chameleon space, it also offers ample room for events and special occasions