Alleyway Theatre: Digital Theatre Festival

Alleyway's first ever DIGITAL THEATRE FESTIVAL features the digital category winner and finalists of the 2020 Maxim Mazumdar New Play Competition. Selected from over 150 entries, these short plays stand out as the best new works written for this time. Plus, we'll present two totally free developmental play readings by last year's Mazumdar Competition full-length finalists. And, of course, our benefit reading of MYSTERY BOX by Tom Alan Robbins. Featuring some of your favorite Broadway stars, this event will benefit Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, ECMC's Immunodeficiency Clinic and Alleyway's new play programming.

FESTIVAL LINE-UP:
Goat Song
A story of an indie singer-songwriter recovering from addiction and trying to connect to his fans, starring Brian Gallagher and directed by Robyn Lee Horn.
November 6 at 8:00 p.m – Live on Facebook
November 7 at 10:00 p.m.: Live on Instagram
November 9-22: Streaming on demand

Big Breath
This play, starring Tony Award nominee Elizabeth Stanley and directed by Ansley Valentine, reveals three inner-voices of a woman grappling with isolation and quarantine as it explores what it means to take action and breathe.
November 7-22, streaming on demand

LOL-OL
This play written by Sheri Wilner and directed by Susan Drozd features a plethora of Western New York favorites, led by Debbie Pappas Sham as a laughter yoga instructor navigating the new world of Zoom lessons and all of its twists and turns. Her students are played by Marta Aracelis, Bethany Burrows, Matt Gilbert, Jake Hayes, Sara Jo Kukulka, Bob Mazierski, Mike Starzynski, and Alexandria Watts.
November 13, 15, 19 at 8:00 p.m. – Live on Zoom

Screaming Into the Void
Written by Kira Mason and directed by Katie Horwitz, this play finds four very different women dropped into a void-like limbo where they begin to question what they might have in common.  Featuring actors Jen Horne, Caroline Huerta, Renee Landrigan, and Michelle Zink-Muñoz. Each will perform from a different city (Detroit, Tampa, Buffalo, and New York).
November 12-22, streaming on demand

Babushka
As an improv duo, Buffalo comedians Don Gervasi and Todd Benzin will perform two livestreamed shows where they take suggestions from the audience and create a brand-new original improvised play on-the-spot.
November 14 and 20 at 8:00 p.m. – Live on Zoom

Mystery Box
(a special star-studded benefit not included in the Festival Pass)
Three-time Tony Award nominee and veteran Broadway performer Mary Testa will lead an all-star cast for a one-night only benefit reading of Mystery Box by Tom Alan Robbins. Joining Testa are Dakin Mathhews, Wesley Taylor, and Helen Cespedes. The benefit reading will raise funds for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, ECMC’s Immunodeficiency Clinic, and Alleyway’s new play programming.
November 21 at 8:00 p.m. – Live on Zoom

Red Alien
Written by Jane B. Jones, this play is a blood-soaked allegorical comedy about women at the edge of the known universe who are the first to make contact with another life form by accidentally sending them a mating call.
November 10 at 8:00 p.m. – Live on Zoom

The Mighty Maisie
Written by Bella Pynton, this play tells the story of Maisie Clark, whose strange new powers allow her to protect close friends from abusive partners. Helping a young woman named Penny who stumbles onto her porch sets off a chain reaction of events that will forever alter Maisie’s life.
November 17 at 8:00 p.m. – Live on Zoom