Theatre
An 'Odd' pair

"The Odd Couple" will feature Rob Schwartz as Oscar and Greg Blarr as Felix, Feb. 16-25 at the Lancaster Opera House.

Can two divorced men share an apartment without driving each other crazy?

Find out when Rocking Horse Productions presents the American comedy classic "The Odd Couple," from Feb. 16-25 at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster.

Felix Ungar and his wife have just split, so his best friend, Oscar Madison, urges him to move in with him - temporarily - and temperamentally, because Oscar's a bit of a slob while Felix is a neat freak. "The Odd Couple" makes for one of the funniest relationships in comedic history.

Director Leigha Eichhorn's cast includes Rob Schwartz as Oscar, Greg Blarr as Felix, along with Joe Spencer, Don Gallo, Greg Hennessey, Todd Gouchie, Gail Graesser and Margo Davis.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16, 17, 21, 22, 23 and 24; 2:30 p.m. Feb. 18 and 25; and 2 p.m. Feb. 22.

Tickets are $16 for adults and $14 for seniors and students, and are available by calling 683-1776 or by visiting www.lancoper a.org.

Harry Carnahan as George reprimands Jeffrey Evan Thomas as Lennie in "Of Mice and Men," written by John Steinbeck and directed by Seth Gordon, at Studio Arena Theatre through March 4.

'Mice' at Studio Arena

One of the most celebrated works in American literature is coming to Studio Arena Theatre when John Steinbeck's classic "Of Mice and Men" opens Friday, Feb. 16 and runs through Sunday, March 4.

Itinerant workers George and Lennie have only each other and a shared fantasy about owning a piece of land to call their own. The two travel together, with George looking after the sweet but childlike Lennie throughout their journey. Lennie's inability to understand the power of his own strength often puts the two friends in dangerous situations and ultimately results in a tragic conclusion to the story.

"Of Mice and Men" is a timeless piece that contains messages relevant to issues in today's society relating to the developmentally disabled and caretaking.

"In addition to being an American classic, this story is near and dear to my heart as I have been a part of the disability community for the last 24 years," said Kathleen Gaffney, Studio Arena CEO and artistic director.

Starry Night Theatre Co. presents the comic-drama "Marvin's Room," Feb. 15-March 4. Pictured is Jayson Clark as Hank and Joann V. Mis as Bessie.

Local actor David Autovino will make his Studio Arena debut in "Of Mice and Men."

Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays, Feb. 16 and 23; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, Feb. 17 and 24; 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, Feb. 18 and 25; 7 p.m. Tuesdays, Feb. 20 and 27; 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Feb. 21 and 28; and 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 at 710 Main St., Buffalo.

Tickets are $25-$54 and are available through the Studio Arena box office at 856-5650 or (800) 77STAGE. Starry Night Theatre opens 'Marvin's Room'

Starry Night Theatre Co. is presenting the award-winning play, "Marvin's Room," from Feb. 15-March 4 at the Ghostlight Theatre, 170 Schenck St., North Tonawanda.

Scott McPherson's play is the comic-drama of a dysfunctional family who must pull together in the face of a life-threatening illness.

The Amherst Players' production of "Dark of the Moon" features Joe Latona and Mary Jane Ertel.

The production is directed by L. Don Swartz, and features Joann V. Mis, Joy Ann Wrona, Jayson Clark, Kathy Ellis-Donner and others.

Performances are at 8 p.m. Feb. 15, 16, 17, 23, 24, March 2 and 3; and 2 p.m. March 4. Tickets are $12 general, $10 for senior citizens and students, and are available by calling 743-1614. For more information, visit www.starr ynighttheatre.com.

Casting a love spell

A witch boy becomes mortal to purse his love of a human girl in The Amherst Players' production of "Dark of the Moon," Feb. 15-24 at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Amherst.

Set in the Smokey Mountains, envious witches and suspicious townspeople conspire to end the couple's plans.

This haunting play by Howard Richardson and William Berney is based on "The Ballad of Barbara Allen," and melds quaint folk tales, supernatural fears and religious strengths.

The production is directed by David Hall and features Joe Latona, Mary Jane Ertel, Michael Breen and a large cast of local actors.

Performances are at 7:30 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 1:30 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, through Feb. 24. Tickets are $10, $8 for seniors and students, and $5 for children under 12. Due to adult themes, this production is intended for mature audiences. For more information, call 866-2173. Openings

Feb. 15

Dark of the Moon A witch boy becomes mortal to pursue his love for a human girl, but envious witches and suspicious townspeople conspire to end the couple's plans. Good and evil collide at a joyous revival meeting bringing what may be an end to the newlywed's future together. The Amherst Players presentation opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 15 and runs Thursday through Saturday evenings at the Harlem Road Community Center, 4255 Harlem Road, Snyder. There is also a 1:30 p.m. matinee each Saturday. Call 866-2173 for more information.

Feb. 21 Berlin to Broadway with Kurt Weill: A Musical Voyage Encompassing more than 20 years of revolution, war and music, this revue follows Kurt Weill as a composer from his early collaboration with playwright Bertolt Brecht, through his escape from Nazi Germany, to his American career as the master of the Broadway musical. Opens 8 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 21 and continues 8 p.m. Wednesday Saturday and 2 p.m. Saturday and Sunday through Sunday, Feb. 25 at the Black Box Theatre, UB Center for the Arts, UB north campus, Amherst. Call 645-2787 or visit www.ubcfa.org for more information.

Feb. 22

Brooklyn Boy Donald Margulies' rich, funny and deeply moving work presented by the Jewish Repertory Theatre. Play concerns a novelist who's finally hit the big time with a best-selling book primed for a Hollywood adaptation. But when his father's health brings him back to the Brooklyn of his childhood, he is forced to reconcile the boy he was with the successful man he has become. Opens Thursday, Feb. 22 and runs 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 4 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, March 18 at Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo. Call 688-4114 x334 or visit www.jewishrepertorytheatre.com for more information. Wild Women Don't Get the Blues O'Connell and Company present a musical journey that pays homage to memorable blues songs and the legendary blues pioneers who made them famous. Opens 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 and runs 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays through Sunday, March 18 at Cabaret in the Square Theatre, 4476 Main St., Snyder. Call 839-3949 or visit www.oconnellandcompany. com for more information.

Tools Errand Stephen McKinley Henderson and The Buffalo Laboratory Theatre production of Taylor Doherty's play presented by Hilbert College. Show opens 8 p.m. Thursday, Feb. 22 and runs through 2 p.m. Sunday, March 4 at the William E. Swan Auditorium, 5200 South Park Ave., Hamburg. Call 926-8856 or visit www.buffalotheatre.org for more information.

Continuing

now-Feb. 17

I Swear I Can Fly Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo. 852-2600, www.alleyway.com

now-Feb. 17

Air Heart Alleyway Theatre, One Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo. 852-2600

now-Feb. 25

Mule Bone Paul Robeson Theatre, 350 Masten Ave., Buffalo. 884-2013, www2. pcom. net/ aacc

now-March 11

Late Nite Catechism Shea's Smith Theatre, 660 Main St., Buffalo. 847-1410

Special Presentations Diva by Diva: A Celebration of Women Presented by O'Connell & Company, 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, Cabaret in the Square Theatre, 4476 Main St., Snyder; $20. 839-3949, www.cabaretinthesquare.com