Late last month I was fortunate enough to be in New York City for the final performance of the revival of Stephen Sondheim’s FOLLIES. This was a production that started out at the Kennedy center in Washington D.C. and featured some of the most beloved performers on Broadway including Bernadette Peters (SUNDAY IN THE PARK WITH GEORGE, INTO THE WOODS), Elaine Page (EVITA, CATS, SUNSET BOULEVARD), Jan Maxwell (CHITTY CHITTY BANG BANG, THE ROYAL FAMILY, LEND ME A TENOR), Terri White (AINT MISBEHAVIN, BARNUM, CHICAGO), Danny Burstein (SOUTH PACIFIC,THE DROWSY CHAPERONE) and Ron Raines (SHOW BOAT, CHICAGO) among many others in the forty one member cast. It was one of those special events in the theatre. The final performance of a musical, about the impending demolition of a decaying theatre, delivered by a cast of theatre practitioners who have been making indelible memories in theatres for many many years. In the story of FOLLIES the images of the performers in their younger days are juxtaposed against the reality of their life thirty or more years later. As audience members we were able to witness this powerful memory story that was only deepened by the presence of these iconic performers in their final performance of FOLLIES. As they bid farewell to this unique production it became keenly evident to me that we, the audience, were also bidding farewell to this collection of actors who would all never set foot on that stage together again. Art and life came together in a way that could have only happened right then. And that is why, despite computers, the internet or iphones, nothing will ever replace the shared feeling of community and humanity that occur in these special moments in the theatre.

So what’s happening on local stages this month? For a complete rundown go to www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com but my shortlist would include: AVENUE Q at MusicalFare, running all month and entertaining audiences with its hilarious combination of irreverence and insight, ST. NICHOLAS at Road Less Traveled, running through February 19th and starring ICTC co-founder and Artistic Director Vincent O’Neill, the Jewish Repertory Theatre’s THE JEWISH WIFE and DUCK VARIATIONS opening February 9th, and the Obie Award winning classic FOR COLORED GIRLS WHO HAVE CONSIDERED SUICIDE WHEN THE RAINBOW WAS ENUF at Ujima Theatre opening February 17th. If it’s a family outing you’re planning, try Theatre of Youth’s BEN FRANKLIN’S APPRENTICE, featuring a strong cast of local adult actors, from February 3rd through February 12th.

I love the theatre. I’m sure that’s pretty clear to anyone who reads this column. That said, it’s a far from perfect, frequently messy, often difficult experience. Sort of like life. But there are those moments when everything aligns and wonderful things happen. For that I will always be grateful. For that I will keep coming back.

See you there.

Randall Kramer is the Artistic and Executive Director of MusicalFare Theatre, a leading musical theatre company in the Northeast. He is a past President of the Theatre Alliance of Buffalo (www.theatreallianceofbuffalo.com), a Spokesperson for the Greater Buffalo Cultural Alliance (www.greaterbuffaloculturalalliance.com), and chair of the board of the new Arts Services Initiative (ASI.