Curtain Up! 2025 Official Opening of Theatre Season in WNY is Presented by M&T Bank
Friday, September 19, 2025 – Main Street, Downtown Buffalo
Buffalo, New York: Celebrate 42 years of live theatre in Western New York on Friday, September 19th at Curtain Up! 2025 in the Buffalo Theatre District! This will be the 42nd in-person celebration of the opening of Buffalo’s professional theatre season. Curtain Up! is produced by the Theatre District Association of WNY Inc. Founded in 1979, Theatre District Association of WNY, Inc. is a not-for-profit community association dedicated to the promotion of the health and well-being of Buffalo’s neighborhood known as the Theatre District. Curtain Up! 2025 is Presented by M&T Bank.
The Theatre District Association will begin a week-long celebration with the highly anticipated Plaza of Stars Induction Ceremony. On Monday, September 15th, renowned actor Anne Gayley, a fixture in the Buffalo theater scene for decades, will be honored with a star in the Buffalo Theatre District. The installation ceremony will begin at 5:30PM in the lobby of the newly renovated Shea’s 710 Theatre, followed by unveiling of the star outside on the Plaza of Stars. A reception will follow immediately after at The Bijou, 646 Main St.
Curtain Up! 2025 Schedule Curtain Up! will be held on Friday, September 19th in Downtown Buffalo. As always, Curtain Up! is a “make your own” night signature event. Join us at the Kick off party or select a place to dine in the Theater District, purchase tickets for any of a wide variety of shows, and then enjoy free entertainment on the street throughout the Theater District.
Act 1: Curtain Up! Kickoff Party – 5pm – Curtain Up! Kickoff Party will be held at The Bijou Club Level, September 19th from 5pm through 7 pm. Guests will enjoy a two-hour open bar, and delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres. Stomachs will be full and happy with the amazing spread put out by The Bijou! A limited number of tickets are available and priced at $90 per person. For more information, and to purchase tickets, call Shea’s Buffalo Theatre Box Office at (716) 847-0850. Tickets can be purchased online at: https://am.ticketmaster.com/sheas/buy/cupcocktail. Or, dine at one of the Theatre District’s wonderful restaurants. For a full list of restaurants in the Theatre District and surrounding Central Business District, click here.
Act 2: Theatre Performances 7:30 pm – Curtains rise at productions at area theaters. Advance reservations are recommended. Guests should check with the theatre venue to review start times, run times, and ticket pricing. Click here to view the performances and purchase your tickets today!
Act 3: Free Street Party – 10 pm – When the curtains fall, the free Theatre District Street party goes into high gear. Free outdoor entertainment on Main Street between Chippewa and Tupper Streets will feature a variety of music and specialty acts.
Entertainment for the street party will include pianists, live music, fire performers and more. Visit our Curtain Up! page for complete details.
About Theatre District Association of WNY, Inc.: Founded in 1979, Theatre District Association of Western New York, Inc. is a not-for-profit community association dedicated to the promotion of the health and well-being of Buffalo’s neighborhood known as the Theatre District. It is our goal to foster public awareness and appreciation of the unique aspects of the Theatre District as an urban cultural neighborhood and to provide a forum for the exchange of information and ideas which may affect the welfare of the district and its members and to promote dialogue with other agencies or organizations which may impact our neighborhood. TDA focuses attention on neighborhood cleanup and physical improvement and encourages programs for safety and security. TDA also participates in the development and production of public events that showcase the Theatre District and promote its economic development and growth. TDA members whose productions open after Curtain Up! 2025 Curtain Up!
2025 is Sponsored by M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust Supported by: TDA of WNY, WKBW and Wynne Creative.
Contact: Lisa Ludwig, Executive Director, Shakespeare in Delaware Park; Co-chair TDA/Curtain Up! 2025 lalaludwig@hotmail.com (716) 856-4533 or Jackie Jonmaire, Marketing Manager, Buffalo Place Inc.; jjonmaire@buffaloplace.com (716) 856-3150
