Department of Theatre and Dance to Perform Musical "Baby"

BUFFALO, N.Y. -- The University at Buffalo Department of Theatre and Dance will present the musical, "Baby," at 8 p.m. on Feb. 27 to March 1 and at 2 p.m. March 1-2 in the Black Box Theatre in the Center for the Arts on the UB North (Amherst) Campus.

"Baby" features music by Academy Award-winning composer David Shire and lyrics by Tony Award winner Richard Maltby, Jr., with a book by Sybille Pearson. The show follows three couples' journeys through their pregnancies on a university campus. "Baby" features an exhilarating modern score and sophisticated comedy.

The production's director is UB Associate Professor Jerry Finnegan, whose New York City acting credits include roles at Irish Repertory Theatre, New York Shakespeare Festival and the Brooklyn Academy of Music in New York City. Finnegan has performed in Western New York at Studio Arena Theatre, the Irish Classical Theatre, the Kavinoky Theatre and Shakespeare in Delaware Park. He is a past nominee for the prestigious Drama League Award.Nancy Townsend, a UB clinical assistant professor of music theatre, will music direct/conduct the production. Townsend has worked nationwide as a musician. Her credits include work as pianist with the Metropolitan Opera National Council for 25 years and work as a conductor, director or pianist in many venues, including the Erie Opera Theatre, Artpark, Opera Festival of New Jersey, Greater Buffalo Opera and El Paso Opera.

The cast of UB students includes Tim Voit of Buffalo, who has appeared at Musicalfare Theatre Company, and Kelsey Mathes of Rochester, as well as Louis Napoleone, Lauren Hodsdon, Rob Dunn and Laurel Flynn.

Tickets for Baby are $16 general admission and $8 for students and seniors. Tickets are available from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday in the Center for the Arts Box Office and all Ticketmaster locations, including ticketmaster.com. To charge tickets, call 852-5000; in Canada, call 1-416-870-8000. For group sales, call 645-6771. For more information, call 645-ARTS. Students (of any school) must present valid student ID at the Center Box Office to receive discount.