To See Or Not To See?

With more than two dozen theater companies staging works of every stripe, Buffalo’s theater scene is diverse, lively and, well, a little bewildering. When the curtain rises on the 2011-2012 season this month, there will be scores of shows to see. We asked local insiders to give us the season’s best bets.

Scott Behrend

Artistic Director, Road Less Traveled Productions 639 Main St; 716-629-3069; roadlesstraveledproductions.org

This company started in 2002 with two guys — Jon Elston (playwright) and Scott Behrend (direc tor) — staging Elston’s plays. Since then, it’s expanded its mission, staging works by regional playwrights, as well as new works by major American playwrights.

Behrend likes: Procession, showing at Torn Space Theater Sept. 15 to Oct. 9 “Dan Shanahan’s work is always original and interesting, and Torn Space has established itself as a cutting-edge theater in Buf falo. They’ve become known for doing site-specific shows, and I’m excited for Procession to see where he takes us this time.”

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Dan Shanahan

Artistic Director, Torn Space Theater 612 Fillmore Ave; 716-812 5733; tornspacetheater.com

This company, founded by Dan Shanahan and Melissa Meola in 2000, stretches the bounds of local theater by presenting challenging, site-specific works — mostly written by Shanahan — that incorporate multiple artistic disciplines. Procession will be staged in an early 20th century German Evangelical church.

Shanahan likes: In the Next Room…, showing at New Phoenix Theatre On the Park Sept. 16 to Oct. 8 “The title alone sells this show and, with it, New Phoenix brings audiences the work of Sarah Ruhl, an incredible playwright dealing with contemporary issues.”

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Robert Waterhouse

Artistic Director, New Phoenix Theatre On the Park 95 Johnson Park; 716-853 1334; newphoenixtheatre.org

The 16-year-old New Phoenix Theatre on the Park has a broader focus than most local companies, presenting bold new works from New York and London, avant-garde interpreta tions of the classics and multidisciplinary collabora tive works.

Waterhouse likes: God of Carnage, showing at Kavinoky Theatre Nov. 4 to Dec. 4 “Kavinoky's miniature Edwardian theater makes you feel as if you were in a Lilliputian West End. I look forward to seeing how Buf falonians respond to God of Carnage; David Lamb is directing and the produc tion should be a cracker.”

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David Lamb

Artistic Director, Kavinoky Theatre 320 Porter Ave; 716-829 7668; kavinokytheatre.com

One of Buffalo’s oldest theater companies, Kavinoky’s been producing award-winning contempo rary shows under the steady hand of David Lamb since 1980. Housed in a turn of-the-century facility at D’Youville College, its shows are typically as refined as its gorgeous rococo space.

Lamb likes: The Hostage, showing at Irish Classical Theatre Company Jan. 12 to Feb. 5, 2012 “Irish Classical is doing Brendan Behan's The Hos tage next year, a show we did in 1974 and of which I have fond memories. I look forward to this revival, and expect they’ll do a great job of it.”

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Vincent O’Neill

Artistic Director, Irish Classical Theatre Company 625 Main St; 716-853-4282; www.irishclassicaltheatre.com

This company got its start when two Dublin-born brothers, Vincent and Chris O’Neill, performed Waiting for Godot in 1985 in the dining room of a Buffalo hotel. The reception they received was so warm that, in 1990, they moved to Buffalo and launched Irish Classical Theatre Co.

O’Neill likes: Imagining Madoff, show ing at Jewish Repertory Theatre Oct. 20 to Nov. 13 “Imagining Madoff is sure to strike a chord in our economic climate. But, the real story is the human one, of those who've suffered so mightily as the result of one man’s greed.”

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Curtain Up!

Sept. 16

Local companies come together to kick off the theater season in style at this annual black-tie event. The night begins with cocktails and a gala dinner on the stage of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, which is followed by opening night performances across the region. To cap off the night, the party reconvenes in the Theatre District (Main Street downtown) for a post-show street bash featuring live entertainment, food and drinks. www.tdaofwny.com