Curtain Up! 2026 Buffalo
Presented By The Theatre District Association of WNY
Friday, September 18, 2026
ACT I
Cocktail Kick off Party at Scene One Market Arcade 5-7 PM
ACT II
Shows begin at theatre venues 7:30 PM
ACT III
Free Street party on Main Street! 10 PM
Celebrate at the biggest
outdoor party in buffalo
On Main Street between Tupper & Chippewa
WHEN
Friday, September 18, 2026
5:00 PM to 7:00 PM
Act I: Cocktail Kickoff Party
There will be a Cocktail Kickoff Party at 5pm at Scene One Market Arcade. Click below for tickets.
7:30 PM
Act II: Curtains Rise
Curtains rise at productions at area theaters. Advance reservations are recommended. Guests should check with each individual venue to review start times, run times, and ticket pricing.
10:00 PM
Act III: Free Main Street After Party
Free outdoor entertainment on Main Street between Chippewa and Tupper Streets will feature a variety of music and specialty acts.
Schedule
ACT I
Cocktail Kickoff Party
Start your Curtain Up! evening at the Cocktail Kickoff Party!
Enjoy a two-hour open bar and delicious heavy hors d’oeuvres.
ACT II
Curtains Rise
Curtains rise at numerous area theaters at 7:30 PM. Advance reservations are recommended. Guests should check with each individual theatre to review run times and ticket pricing.
Where: See below for list of participating Theatres
When: 7:30 PM
* Please note that not all theatres listed below will have performances on September 18, 2026. Check with individual theatres for dates.
Presenting Theatres
Alleyway Theatre
BECKY SHAW
When Suzanna sets Max up on a blind date with Becky, she has absolutely no idea what she’s about to unleash. What follows is the sharpest, funniest, most cringey comedy you’ll see all season, about four people who think they’re perfectly fine and are absolutely not. Gina Gionfriddo’s laugh-out-loud / squirm-in-your-seat dark comedy is fresh off a celebrated Broadway run, now in its Buffalo Premiere.
Dates: September 12 – October 3
Tickets: Starting at $43
Curtain Up Laughs starring Terre King is a special live comedy taping celebrating Buffalo’s Curtain Up weekend. Join Buffalo comedian Terre King for a night of sharp observations, hilarious storytelling, and unpredictable crowd work in the heart of the Theatre District. Dress to impress and get ready to laugh as Terre takes the Alleyway Theatre stage for one unforgettable night.
Date: September 18 only
Tickets: $25
www.alleyway.com (716) 852-2600
Buffalo United Artists
GULP! The Gay Beach Musical
Musical A 1970’s queer musical comedy that follows a closeted lifeguard saved by five eccentric characters on Gay Liberation Day at Coney Island!
Dates: September 11th – 7:30pm / September 12th – 5pm / September 18 – 7:30pm / September 19th – 5pm / September 20th – 5pm / September 25 – 7:30pm / September 26th – 5pm / September 27th – 5pm
Tickets: $30 – General Admission / $20 – Students / Industry Rates Available
https://buffalounitedartists.org (716) 440-5521
D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre
A Night with Janis Joplin
The groundbreaking Tony Award-winning hit musical remains relevant as ever as it celebrates community, identity, politics, peace, and what it means to be a young person in a changing world. Featuring classic hit songs such as “Aquarius,” “Easy To Be Hard” and “Let The Sunshine In.”
Dates: September 11th – October 3, 2026
Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30pm, Saturdays at 2:30pm and 7:30pm
Tickets: $5.00-$59.00
www.kavinokytheatre.com 716-541-8513
Irish Classical Theatre Company
Emma
Emma Woodhouse is clever, educated, energetic… and in imminent danger of going mad with idleness. In a time when respectable ladies are expected to sit quietly at home, she desperately needs a project—and prides herself on matchmaking, much to the chagrin of her friend Mr. Knightley. But where Emma aims her attention, tangled hearts and screwball comedy follows… A fresh feminist take on a treasured classic, this Emma breaks down convention, expectation, and even the fourth wall with vibrant comic flair—leading audiences “forward, onward, and upward!”
Dates: Friday, September 18th through Sunday, October 3, 2026. 3 weeks only! Curtain times are 7:30pm for Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays; and 2pm for Saturday and Sunday Matinees.
Tickets: $45
https://irishclassical.com 716-853-4282
MusicalFare Theatre at Shea’s 710
HAIR
The groundbreaking Tony Award-winning hit musical remains relevant as ever as it celebrates community, identity, politics, peace, and what it means to be a young person in a changing world. Featuring classic hit songs such as “Aquarius,” “Easy To Be Hard” and “Let The Sunshine In.”
Dates: September 17th – October 4, 2026
Thursdays & Fridays at 7:30pm
Saturdays at 2:30pm & 7:30pm
Sundays at 2pm
Tickets: $69 General/$30.55 Student
www.musicalfare.com 716-839-8540
O’Connell & Company
Guys & Dolls
Step into the bright lights of 1950s New York City in this classic Broadway musical filled with unforgettable characters, show-stopping songs, and big-hearted romance. Guys and Dolls follows fast-talking gamblers, charming showgirls, and unlikely love stories as Nathan Detroit desperately searches for a place to host his legendary floating crap game while trying to keep his long-suffering fiancée Adelaide happy. Meanwhile, high-rolling gambler Sky Masterson makes a bet that leads him to the straight-laced missionary Sarah Brown—and sparks a romance neither of them expected.
Dates: Friday, September 11th – 7:30pm
Saturday, September 12th – 7:30pm
Sunday, September 13th – 2pm
Friday, September 18th – 7:30pm
Saturday, September 19th – 7:30pm
Sunday, September 20th – 2pm
Friday, September 2th5 – 7:30pm
Saturday, September 26 – 2pm & 7:30pm
Sunday, September 27th – 2pm”
Tickets: $25-$42
www.oconnellandcompany.com 716-848-0800
Road Less Traveled Productions
The Da Vinci Code
In this thrilling play, Professor Robert Langdon is called to the Louvre in the dead of night, where he unwittingly becomes the center of a murder investigation. When cryptologist Sophie Neveu arrives at the scene, she alerts Robert that, not only is he being asked to solve the crime, but he is also the prime suspect. Soon they are in a race against time to clear Robert’s name and decipher a labyrinthine code before a shocking historical secret is lost forever. From Paris to London and beyond, follow along with two of your favorite characters as they solve this pulse-racing mystery.
Dates: September 18th – October 18, 2026
Thursday / Friday / Saturday at 7:30pm / Sunday at 2:00pm
Tickets: $55-60
https://www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org/the-da-vinci-code 716-629-3069
Shea’s Buffalo Theatre
BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB
It’s been years since legendary singer Omara Portuondo last entered a recording studio. Once known as the “Queen of Feeling,” her voice was celebrated throughout Cuba–until she vanished from the spotlight. But when an ambitious young record producer brings her a rare opportunity, the elusive diva must finally reckon with her past. Hailed as a “jaw-dropping, soul-stirring must see” (The Washington Post), the Tony® and GRAMMY® Award-winning BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB™ is a journey through music and memory into the beating heart of Havana. A world-class company brings the story of the iconic album to thrilling life in this tale of big dreams, second chances, and music that needs no translation.
Dates: September 12th / 7:30 pm, September 13th / 1:00 pm and 6:30 pm, September 15th / 7:30 pm, September 16th / 7:30 pm, September 17th / 7:30 pm, September 18th / 7:30 pm
Please note: Curtain Up! show will begin at 7:30 pm.
Tickets: $51 – $111
https://www.sheas.org/performances/buena-vista-social-club (716) 847-1410
Ujima Theatre Company
JUICY AND DELICIOUS
Hushpuppy lives with her wild, invincible father on the edge of the world, but then Daddy gets sick, and the universe starts to fall apart.
Dates: September 17th – September 27th
Tickets: $30 presale / Pay-what-you-can at the door
ujimacoinc.org (716) 322-5178
ACT III
Free Main Street After Party
When the curtains fall, the Free Main Street After Party in the Theatre District goes into high gear. Free outdoor entertainment on Main Street between Chippewa and Tupper Streets will feature a variety of music and specialty acts.
Where: Main Street between Chippewa and Tupper Streets
When: 10:00 PM
After party on-street Entertainment
12/8 Path Band
12/8 Path Band is a brass band movement for reclaiming the powers of music-dance performance for all people aiming to revive the energy, fun and history of live performance
Buffalo Aerial Dance
Buffalo Aerial Dance will perform in Curtain Up! Alley, in between Shea’s Buffalo Theatre and Alleyway Theatre.
Buffalo’s Rocky Horror: The Francis Bacon Experiment
Buffalo’s Premier Rocky Horror Picture Show – The Francis Bacon Experiment, will be strolling as characters from The Rocky Horror Picture Show and offering a mega mix performance.
Griffin Kramer
Pianist Griffin Kramer, playing showtunes, classics, and your favorite sing along songs at Alleyway Theatre.
KB Percussion Adventures
KB Percussion Adventures specializes in creating unforgettable musical drum circles. Jump in with their community drum circle – no drumming experience necessary!
Max Davis
Catch Max Davis tickling the ivories on the baby grand, playing your favorite show tunes and pop music at 42N at The Flats.
Pyromancy Fire Performance Troupe
Pyromancy Fire Performance Troupe is made up of skilled and dedicated performers who are passionate about sharing their love of fire spinning and dancing. They will perform in front of The Martin Group.
Wide Right
Since forming in 2009, Buffalo Music Award Winners, Wide Right, have become a WNY favorite. They perform current radio hits, classic rock, country, disco, Motown, and more and will be set up outside of The Bijou.
WNY Book Arts
WNY Book Arts will offer hands-on art making featuring their portable press with copper plates.
After Party on-street bites
+39 Forno e Gelato
Enjoy some delectable gelato and other fine desserts from Frankie Primo’s +39 Forno e Gelato!
Fat Daddy’s 716 Desserts
Fat Daddy’s is more than just a bakeshop pop-up – it’s a celebration of flavor and community!
House of Munch
Specializing in crowd pleasing fried dough and olde tyme birch beer, french fries, cotton candy, lemonade, loganberry, and more.
Venus Greek & Mediterranean
Offering some of the best Greek and Mediterranean food. Home of the Greek Fries and the homemade garlic sauce since 2010! Venus offers souvlaki, gyro, greek salad, baklava, fatoush salad, chicken and beef shawarma, shish tawook, shish kabab, hummus, baba ganoush, cheesecake, and more.
Press Releases
Cocktail Kickoff Party at Scene One Market Arcade
FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 18, 2026
5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Limited tickets available and priced at $100
There will be a Cocktail Kickoff Party beginning at 5:00 PM at Scene One Market Arcade Cinemas.
Limited tickets aree available and priced at $100. Start your Curtain Up! evening in Downtown Buffalo, and enjoy a two-hour open bar.
For more information, and to purchase tickets, call the Shea’s Buffalo Theatre Box Office at (716) 847-0850 or click the button above to order online.
Bring the whole family to Theatre of Youth, located at 203 Allen Street in Buffalo, for Curtain Up for Kids! on Sunday, September 20, beginning at 9am, with lobby doors opening at 8:45am. This joyful fundraising event invites children and their grown-ups to enjoy interactive theatre workshops, hands-on activities, crafts, story stations, and a special staged reading – all while supporting Western New York’s only professional theatre dedicated exclusively to young audiences. Admission is a minimum donation of $10 per person, with every dollar helping Theatre of Youth continue providing inspiring productions, educational programming, and unforgettable theatrical experiences for children and families throughout our community. Click here for details!
Get Updates to Your Inbox
Stay tuned for more details on the performances, ticket information, and all the exciting activities we have planned. We can’t wait to celebrate the start of the theater season with you!