THD Faculty and Students in Starring Buffalo's Production of "Cats"

An abundance of UB Theatre and Dance faculty, alumni, and students are part of the production team, cast and chorus for Starring Buffalo’s new production of “CATS,” running February 27 – March 1 at Shea’s 710 Theatre in downtown Buffalo, NY. For additional information and tickets please visit StarringBuffalo.org or Sheas.org.

Production Team: Jeanne Fornarola, Choreographer; Matthew Marco, Music Director; Ethan Borrok, Projection Design; Lynne Koscielniak, Projection Design Supervisor; Julianna Tracey, Assistant Director; Jill Anderson, Community Chorus Liaison 

Principal Cast & Dancers: Sidney Bowers, Choreographer/Dancer; Sophia Fino, Choreographer/Dancer;David P. Eve, Cast;Vinny Murphy, Cast; Maria Pedro, Cast

Community Chorus: Emma Hicks; Kaylie Horowitz;Rachel Koniarcyk; Adrianna Schreck

"Starring Buffalo is all about creating something truly magical— offering short-run, concert versions of musicals and bringing Broadway guest artists together with Buffalo’s incredible professional talent, passionate students and community performers," said UB Teaching Professor Jeanne Fornarola. "From the very first show in 2018, UB’s Department of Theatre and Dance students and faculty have been a part these productions. It’s especially rewarding to see so many of our THD alumni return as emerging professionals."

Recent UB graduate Sidney Bowers agreed. "I first performed with Starring Buffalo as an undergraduate dance student at the University at Buffalo. Now it is even more special to come back to my hometown as a New York City professional Collaboration is the greatest element to making powerful art - many can do what one cannot. Sharing this multi-city experience with other talented artist uplifts the performance we create. Many places, many humans - one piece of art."

Leading the cast are Broadway’s Alyssa Fox (Wicked, Frozen) as Grizabella, Major Attaway (Aladdin, Little Shop of Horrors) as Old Deuteronomy, and Ashlyn Fenn (A Chorus Line, CATS) as the featured dancer Victoria and others. Joining them are Buffalo stars Charmagne Chi, Anne DeFazio, David P. Eve, Alex Garcia, Jetaun Louie, Vinny Murphy, Maria Pedro, and Dan Urtz. The Starring Buffalo Community Chorus will be featured, alongside professional and student dancers from the Western New York region.

STARRING BUFFALO offers Buffalo audiences unrivaled access to the world’s greatest theater artists, while providing Western New York students the chance to learn from, work alongside, and be inspired in both master class and concert environments. Recent guest artists have included Tony Award Winner Matt Doyle (Company), Tony Award Nominee Josh Young (Jesus Christ Superstar), Tony Award Nominee Sidney DuPont (Paradise Square), American Idol’s Alyssa Wray, Emily Koch (Waitress), Zachary Noah Piser (Dear Evan Hansen), Lindsey Nicole Chambers (Kinky Boots), and many more.