FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Curtain Up! 2026 Official Opening of Theatre Season in WNY is Sponsored by M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust
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Friday, September 18, 2026 – Main Street, Downtown Buffalo
Buffalo, New York: Celebrate 43 years of live theatre in Western New York on Friday, September 18th at Curtain Up! 2026 in the Buffalo Theatre District! This will be the 43rd 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! 2026 is Sponsored by M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust.
The Theatre District Association will begin a week-long celebration with the highly anticipated Plaza of Stars Induction Ceremony. On Monday, September 14th, longtime arts leader and children’s theatre pioneer Meg Quinn 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! will be held on Friday, September 18th 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. Complete details regarding Curtain Up! 2026 may be found online at: https://tda-wny.com/event/curtain-up-2026/
Act 1– Curtain Up! Kickoff Party will be held in the lobby at Scene One Market Arcade Cinemas on September 18th from 5pm through 7pm. 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 with catering by The Bijou! A limited number of tickets are available and priced at $100 per person. For more information, and to purchase tickets, call Shea’s Buffalo Theatre Box Office at (716) 847-0850. Tickets can be purchased through this link: 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.
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.
Act 3 Entertainment will include:
Pianist Griffin Kramer, playing showtunes, classics, and your favorite sing- along songs in the Alleyway Theatre bar area.
WIDE RIGHT, Buffalo music award winners performing current Radio Hits, Classic Rock, County, Disco, Motown and more, will be playing outside The Bijou.
Pyromancy, a premier fire performance troupe, will be in front of the Levy, King & White building, across the street from The International House.
Max Davis will be ticking the ivories inside 42 North at the Flats in the lobby bar at Shea’s 710 Theatre.
Don’t miss Ghost Busters of WNY, Pyromancy, and many more all along Main Street!!
Complete details regarding Curtain Up! 2026 may be found online at: https://tda-wny.com/event/curtain-up-2025/
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! 2026: Shakespeare In Delaware Park www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org (716) 856-4533; Starring Buffalo www.starringbuffalo.org (716) 464-0073
Curtain Up! 2026 is Sponsored by: M&T Bank | Wilmington Trust and Presented by: Theatre District Association of WNY
Contact:
Michael Russo, TDA of WNY President michael@starringbuffalo.org (716) 464-0073
Jackie Jonmaire, Marketing Manager, Buffalo Place Inc.; jjonmaire@buffaloplace.com (716) 856-3150
