thurs. 12

Killer Joe — American Repertory Theater of WNY presents Tracy Letts’ play that’s a ride through an Americana poor-working white family funhouse that reflects a type of society filled with anti-heroes, sociopaths and frauds that make up early 21st century American versions of role models. The cast features Patrick Cameron, David C. Mitchell, Stephanie Bax, Jessica Wegryzn and Scot Kaitanowski under the direction of Matthew LaChiusa. There will be a free preview at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, April 12, and the production opens at 7:30 p.m. Friday, April 13. Performances: 7:30 p.m. April 14, 19, 20, 21, 26, 27, 28, May 2, 3, 4 and 5 at Buffalo East, 1410 Main St., Buffalo; $. 634-1102, www.artofwny.org

fri. 13

12 Angry Men — Rocking Horse Productions brings Sherman Sergel’s adaptation of Reginald Rose’s Emmy-winning teleplay to life in this riveting courtroom drama of a tortured jury deliberation on a murder trial. The cast features Greg Blarr, Russ Burton, Dave Farinacci, Greg Hennessey, Nicholas Lama, Vince Martino, Paul McGinnis, Rob Schwartz, Joe Spencer, Gary Stevenson, Matthew J. Walter and Adam Yellen under the direction of Leigha Eichhorn. Performances: 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2:30 p.m. Sundays, Friday, April 13 through Sunday, April 22 at the Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Ave., Lancaster; $. 683-1776, www.lancopera.org

sat. 14

The Screwtape Letters — The smart, provocative and wickedly funny theatrical adaptation of the C.S. Lewis novel about spiritual warfare from a demon’s point of view will be performed at 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday, April 14 at the University at Buffalo’s Center for the Arts, North Campus, Amherst; $ (box office; Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com;

Grease —

When wholesome good girl Sandy and greaser Danny fall in love over the summer, they never expect to see each other again, until they soon discover that they now both attend Rydell High. Greg Natale directs the student-comprised cast. Performances: 7:30 p.m. April 19, 20, 21, 26-28, and 2 p.m. April 22 and 29 at UB Center for the Arts’ Drama Theatre, UB’s North Campus, Amherst; $ (box office; Ticketmaster, www.ticketmaster.com; charge, 1-800-745-3000) 645-2787, www.ubcfa.org

ongoing

now-April 21

Come Back, Little Sheba — Play by William Inge under the direction of Joseph Natale. Performances: 8 p.m. Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, through Saturday, April 21 at the New Phoenix Theatre, New Phoenix Theatre, 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo; $. 853-1334, www.newphoenixtheatre.com

now-May 20

A Grand Night for Singing — Rogers & Hammerstein’s stunning musical revue presented by MusicalFare and under the direction of Michael J. Walline. Performances: 7 p.m. Wednesday and Thursday; 8 p.m. Friday; 4 and 8 p.m. Saturday; and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Sunday, May 20 at Daemen College’s Time Warner Cable Stage at MusicalFare Theatre, 4380 Main St., Amherst; $. 839-8540, www.musicalfare.com

Let’s Murder Marsha — By Monk Ferris and directed by Jay Desiderio. Performances: Dinner at 6 p.m. and show at 7 p.m. April 12, 19, 21, 22, 26, 29, May 3, 6, 10, 12, 13, 17, 19 and 20, Desiderio’s Dinner Theatre, 5827 Broadway, Lancaster; $. 683-7767