Stupid F**king Bird by Aaron Posner

Highlighting upon the ideological clash between the classic and new expressions of theater found in Chekhov's classic work, this delightfully quirky adaptation by Posner also offers a tongue-in-cheek insight into the ongoing conflict between artistic vision and how theater should play into our lives. Connor Graham, who makes his ART/WNY debut, is in charge with the protagonist ‘Conrad’ and his ongoing internal struggle with the unrequited love of ‘Nina’, portrayed by Emily Yancey (last seen in ART/WNY's CARRIE, THE MUSICAL), and the overt conflict with his mother (and more importantly a diva movie-star) ‘Emma Arkadina’-featuring the return of ART/WNY alumni Diane DiBernardo. Adding a cynically laced music background, is ‘Mash’ (pronounced  ‘mosh’, like the pit) who pines and pies away her devotion for ‘Con’. Entrusted with this goth black cloud role is ART/WNY alumni Candice Kogut who’s singing and eukleia skills will be on display throughout SFB. Adding to the lovelorn is ‘Dev’ and his own thwarted affections for the above doom ‘n’ gloomer, Rick Lattimer returns to ART/WNY as this nice guy friend who does his best to advise ‘Con’ then has to stay afloat during the emotional flooding only to be rewarded in the end by cake and children named after goth-bands.