Author: Tony Astran

THE BASICS: Bernard Shaw’s send up of the medical profession, played as a neat little domestic melodrama. This production, at the Shaw’s Festival Theatre through October 30th, runs approximately two hours and forty minutes, with a single intermission.THUMBNAIL SKETCH: London, turn of the last century. Sir Colenso Ridgeon, master physician and laboratory wizard, has come up with a genuine cure for TB–a happy alternative to the bumbling, quackery and guesswork that’s been foisted upon the public by some of his less talented colleagues. The trouble is, the required wonder drug is in very short supply, and the doctor can squeeze…

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THE BASICS: James Barrie’s one act play, a rare example of “real time” in the theater, is this year’s Lunchtime Theater selection at the Shaw. It plays Saturdays, most Wednesdays, and some Thursdays and Fridays at the Royal George Theatre, at 11:30 am. It’s a swirling, eventful half hour, to be sure, but you will be out by about 12:05 pm!THUMBNAIL SKETCH: London, just before the Great War. Lady Lilian, trapped in a painful marriage to the bullying but wealthy Richard Garson, suddenly decides to break free, into the waiting arms of her secret lover. Fate has other plans in…

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By: Grant Golden – THE BASICS: Anton Chekhov’s 1904 classic is a sort of family portrait of confusion, denial and loss in changing times. The Cherry Orchard plays in repertory at the Court House Theatre in Niagara-on-the-Lake through October 2nd. The Shaw Festival has chosen to perform Irish playwright Tom Murphy’s 2004 version. It runs 2 ½ hours with a single intermission.THUMBNAIL SKETCH: The action takes place at the Ranyevskaya estate in rural Russia, at the turn of the last century. The Ranyevskaya family, their servants, friends and associates congregate, reminisce, even attempt to make merry in the face of imminent…

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A bridge linking Buffalo’s inner and outer harbors is yet another step closer to reality. And one of four bridge options at two locations could be the link between downtown and development on Buffalo’s waterfront. Last month, the Federal Highway Administration approved the Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation’s (ECHDC) Final Scoping Report. As reported last December in Buffalo Rising Online, the ECHDC held a series of public meetings to gather input for the document which, ultimately, recommends one of three options for a new bridge: no-build, build at Main Street, or build at Erie Street (see options below and vote…

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Buffalo Public Schools has recently welcomed the addition of a Medical Director to advise the District on important health policies to keep students healthy and prevent the spread of communicable diseases. Dr. Steven J. Lana’s extensive experience in pediatrics prompts him to be considered one of the best pediatricians in Western New York. After graduating from the University of Rochester School of Medicine in 1982, Dr. Lana completed his residency in pediatrics at Women and Children’s Hospital of Buffalo in 1985 and was appointed Chief resident the same year. Dr. Lana served as Pediatric Medical Director in this time…

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Come discover, or even rediscover, your artistic side with this fall’s selection of youth, adult and professional art classes at the Buffalo Arts Studio. Classes and a brief description of each is listed below: Youth Classes: Learning Art History Through Painting with Jim Paulsen is a class geared towards ages 8 to 11 that focuses on referencing major movements in art history. Pottery with Nancy Thayer will teach students of ages 11 to 14 a variety of hand-building techniques while creating both utilitarian and sculptural pieces. 21st Century Collage with Amy Greenan is a multimedia class where students ages 14…

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Local and regional community members are invited to partake in a series of transformative discussions in the preservation one of our nation’s historic treasures at the upcoming 2nd annual Nash Lecture Series, presented by the Niagara Freedom Station Coalition. The series of talks is an important opportunity for community discussion and debate on such topics as history, education, healthcare and preservation. Since 1845 the historic Michigan Avenue Church has been an important site for community discussion with its roots sown deeply in the nation’s antebellum period, civil rights movements as well as having once housed discussions by the likes…

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Buffalo Niagara Riverkeeper is searching for community groups, scouts, businesses, schools, families and individuals to help rid our waterways of trash. Participating volunteers will have the opportunity to help defend the Buffalo Niagara river region by removing trash and debris from more than thirty sites, and ensuring clean water and a healthy environment for life and play. Following the cleanup will be a picnic, and all volunteers will receive a prize for lending a helping hand. Riverkeeper will provide all the coordination details, gloves, trash bags and other materials that will be needed. The event is made possible…

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A group of 40 French-speaking Belgian, Swiss, and French nationals recently traveled throughout Western New York as part of a week-long study tour through the Buffalo-Lille Association, part of Sister Cities International. Jean F. Gounard, director of international student affairs at Buffalo State College and president of the Buffalo-Lille Association, organized the week’s activities with the help of Buffalo State faculty and staff and many individuals from the Niagara region. The visit marks the sixth time a group from Europe has toured Western New York since the Buffalo-Lille Association formed in 1989. As a kick-off, the delegation met with City…

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THE BASICS:  This year, the Shaw Festival has revived an obscure, a very late work of Bernard Shaw–as one of just two Shavian offerings (an all time low, I believe).  Good King Charles, a sort of 17th century historical fantasy, has been directed by Eda Holmes, and runs in repetory at the Royal George Theatre through October 9.  The play, if it can truly be called that (see below), clocks in at a whopping three hours, with two intermissions.  You may want to stock up on fiery hard candies. THUMBNAIL SKETCH:  The first two acts take place in Isaac Newton’s study…

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