fri. 16

Gentlemen’s Gentlemen — O’Connell & Company present a cabaret-style format performed by a cast of men and inspired by Diva by Diva: A Celebration of Women! The show celebrates the many images of men through quotes, stories, jokes and song and is designed to be a fun spontaneous gathering of great guys who share some of their virtues and foibles. Each show is filled with wonderful music and fun with a different mix of cast material and feature some surprise guest “gentlemen.” Perfromances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays; 2:30 p.m. Sundays from Friday, March 16 through Sunday, April 1 at Erie Community College’s Gleasner Hall, ECC North Campus, 6205 Main St., Williamsville; $. 848-0800, www.oconnellandcompany.com

Finnegan’s Farewell — The dinner theater comedy hit now in its 10th year returns to Lancaster for six performances. Come say good-bye and give a toast to your old friend Paddy Finnegan and join the members of the crazy Finnegan family as they pay tribute to this fine old Irish gent. Music, singing, Irish dancers and a bagpiper add to the atmosphere of this authentic Irish wake where you never know what will happen next. Lancaster Regional Players presents this production starring Pam Snyder, Melissa Cumming, Al McFadyen, Joe Spencer, Eileen Stevic, Paul McCarthy, Ron Ruggiero, Julie Silverstein and Russ Wendel. Performances: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings; 2:30 p.m. Sunday, March 16 through Sunday, March 25 at Ripa’s Restaurant, 4218 Walden Ave., Lancaster; $. 683-1776.

Secrets of the Trade — A coming of age comedy by Jonathan Tolins presented by Buffalo United Artists and starring Jimmy Janowski, Lisa Ludwig, Jonathan Young, David Granville and Matthew Creehan Higgins under the direction of Drew McCabe. Performances: 8 p.m. Friday & Saturday; 7 p.m. April 1 now through Saturday, April 7 at BUA Theatre, 119 W. Chippewa St., Buffalo; $. 886-9239, www.buffalobua.org

thurs. 22

Steel Magnolias — The Medaille Music & Drama club presents Robert Harling’s southern comedy about the bond between women, 7 p.m. Thursday, March 22 and Friday, March 23; 1 & 7 p.m. Sunday, March 24 at Medaille College, 18 Agassiz Circle, Buffalo; $ - Tickets at the door only.

ongoing: now - March 17

Buffalo Quickies — Annual festival of short plays under the direction of Joyce Stilson. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday now through Saturday, March 17 at Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley, Buffalo; $. 852-2600, www.alleyway.com

Out of Order! — The Aurora Players proudly presents Ray Cooney’s comedy under the direction of David Hall. Performances: 8 p.m. Friday, March 16 & Saturday, March 17 at the historic Roycroft Pavilion at Hamlin Park, South Grove and Prospect, East Aurora; $. 687-6727, www.auroraplayers.org

now - March 23

God of Vengeance — Sholem Asch’s drama presented by Brazen-Faced Varlets under the direction of Lara D. Haberberger. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Thursday, March 8 through Friday, March 23 at Rust Belt Books, 202 Allen St., Buffalo; $. 885-9535

now - March 24

Emperor and Galilean — Henrik Ibsen’s drama adapted by Neil Wechsler from the Brian Johnston translation as presented by Torn Space Theater under the direction of David Oliver. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursdays; and 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays now through Saturday, March 24 at the The Adam Michiewicz Dramatic Circle, 612 Fillmore Ave., Buffalo; $. 812-5733, www.tornspacetheater.com

Men of Like Passions — Justin Karcher’s play presented by Theater Jugend under the direction of Karcher. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturday Thursday, now through Saturday, March 24 at Buffalo East, 1410 Main St., Buffalo; $. 445-9432

Into The Woods — The Niagara Regional Theatre Guild proudly presents this production of Stephen Soundheim and James Lapine Tony Award-winning musical. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Friday and Saturday evenings; and 3 p.m. Sundays from Friday, March 9 through Saturday, March 24 at The Ellicott Creek Playhouse, 530 Ellicott Creek Road, Tonawanda; $. 284-6358, www.niagaratheatre.com

now - March 25

Time Stands Still — Donald Margulies drama under the direction of Robert Waterhouse. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays; 4 & 8 p.m. Saturdays; and 2 p.m. Sundays now through Sunday, March 25 at the Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave., Buffalo; $. 829-7668, www.kavinokytheatre.com

Fish Out of Water — Irish Classical Theatre Company’s world premiere of Gillian Grattan’s under the direction of Fortunato Pezzimenti. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday & Friday; 3 & 7:30 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sunday now through Sunday, March 25 at The Andrews Theatre, 625 Main St., Buffalo; $. 853-4282, www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

now - April 1

Clean Break — A world premier of Darryl Schneider’s play under the direction of Derek Campbell. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday; 2 p.m. Sundays Friday, March 9 through Sunday, April 1 at Road Less Traveled Productions, Market Arcade Film and Arts Centre, 639 Main St., Buffalo; $. 629-3069, www.roadlesstraveledproductions.org