Blackfriars Theatre

Blackfriars Theatre Blackfriars Theatre is a mid-sized professional theatre that has entertained audiences for 75 years in downtown Rochester, NY!

Blackfriars is proud to invite you to our theater located in Rochester's "Theatre Row" along Main St. We are now in our 72nd season of providing quality theatrical entertainment to the Greater Monroe County and Finger Lakes region. Blackfriars Theatre produces 7 theatrical productions each year (6 in our subscription series and 1 special summer show through our Summer Intensive program from young

artists). Our theatrical season starts each fall and runs through May. Our committed group of performers, technicians and volunteers are proud to bring live entertainment in the form of dramatic and musical productions to our local community in western New York.

As we prepare to open the BTSI '26 production of URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL this Friday, we thought we'd take a look back at...
07/29/2026

As we prepare to open the BTSI '26 production of URINETOWN: THE MUSICAL this Friday, we thought we'd take a look back at the BTSI productions of yore. Which one was YOUR favorite? BTSI alums, what did you love about your experience in the Blackfriars Theatre Summer Intensive? Share the BTSI love in the comments below (and then head to www.blackfriars.org to get your tickets to see this year's production)!

🎟️: https://www.blackfriars.org/urinetown-btsi26

(top row, left to right: The Wedding Singer, Grease, A Chorus Line; middle row, left to right: The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Seussical The Musical; bottom row, left to right: Godspell, Rent, Shrek The Musical)

📣HERE THEY ARE, FOLKS📣 Audition announcements for the remainder of the Blackfriars 26/27 season!! Please remember to alw...
07/28/2026

📣HERE THEY ARE, FOLKS📣 Audition announcements for the remainder of the Blackfriars 26/27 season!! Please remember to always read through the entire audition listing prior to requesting an appointment ... we can't wait to see you all there!
https://www.blackfriars.org/join-the-team

07/27/2026

It is offically show week! We are so excited to be putting on Urinetown The Musical with this incredibly talented cast!

07/25/2026

Sitzprobe is the best rehearsal of all!! Urinetown opens Friday, and these stars are SO ready to get these gags in front of an audience 🤩

07/25/2026

Can you believe we're only ONE MONTH AWAY from The Full Monty auditions?! Between a story that's already got audiences đź‘€brimmingđź‘€ with anticipation and an ALL-STAR creative team, whoever this cast turns out to be, they're going to have a HOOT!
https://www.blackfriars.org/auditions-full-monty

HEY LADIES!! Don't sleep on this one--there are fabulous roles for you in here too, not to mention some hilarious female ensemble numbers 🙌🎭🤩

CHARACTER BREAKDOWN: Casting 17 actors of varying ages/ethnicities/genders. All actors 18+ except for those wishing to be considered for Nathan (no exceptions). All actors auditioning for Nathan must attend auditions with a parent or guardian present. Some roles will double. One-time honorarium for all artists aged 18+: $500; minors perform as an educational experience and are unpaid.

JERRY LUKOWSKI — male, any ethnicity, 30’s-40’s, Db5 to B2 | An unemployed mill worker, full of pride, fighting to maintain part custody of his son and regain his dignity through work, prone to spontaneous ideas.

PAM LUKOWSKI — female, any ethnicity, 20’s-40’s, Ab4 to Eb5 | Jerry’s estranged wife and high school sweetheart; she wants the best for her son and deep down the same for Jerry; resourceful, strong, and caring.

NATHAN LUKOWSKI — male, any ethnicity, 10-15 | Son to Jerry and Pam, devoted to both of his parents, believes in his father even when his schemes seem crazy, has inherited the confidence and strength of his parents (non-singing role).

DAVE BUKATINKSY — male, any ethnicity, 30’s-40’s, Db5 (falsetto) to B2 | An unemployed mill worker and best friends with Jerry. He’s more of a follower than leader but has inner strength. Self-conscious about his weight, he too is fighting to maintain his dignity, regain his status as a breadwinner.

GEORGIE BUKASTINSKY — female, any ethnicity, 30’s-40’s, D5 to G3 | Married to Dave, currently supporting him financially and loves him completely while worrying about him. Strong belter at top of range. Loud and outgoing, she is leader of her group of girlfriends.

HAROLD NICHOLS — male, any ethnicity, 40’s-60’s, Ab4 to B2 | Former supervisor at the mill, married to Vicki, and is hiding his unemployment from her because he loves her and doesn’t want to show that he can’t support her. Loves dancing and becomes the group’s choreographer.

VICKI NICHOLS — female, any ethnicity, 40’s-50’s, D5 to G3 | Married to Harold and loves him more than anything while also enjoying the finer things in life (clothes, travel, possessions, etc.); supports him completely.

MALCOLM MACGREGOR — male, any ethnicity, 20’s-30’s, F #5 to C #3 | An unemployed mill worker, lives at home with his mother. Awkward, depressed, despairing, and lonely. Becoming friends with the guys and more with Ethan is the highlight of his life.

ETHAN GIRARD — male, any ethnicity, 20’s to 30’s, Ab4 to B2 | An unemployed mill worker, lonely, notable feature with determination and confidence to push himself with any task he takes. Finds companionship with Malcolm.

NOAH (HORSE) T. SIMMONS — male, Black, 50’s-60’s, Bb4 to C #3 | An African-American retired mill worker, who appears “old” but has great dance moves; has strong opinions and embarrassed about his average features.

JEANETTE A. BURMEISTER — female, any ethnicity, 60’s-70’s, Bb4 to F3 | A piano player of indeterminate years with extensive show business experience. Sassy, funny, and highly opinionated.

ENSEMBLE — The ensemble consists of several speaking roles, including Buddy (Keno) Walsh, a male stripper; Teddy Slaughter, Pam’s live-in boyfriend; Reg Willoughby, an unemployed mill worker; Tony Giordano, a Buffalo club owner; Estelle Genovese, Jerry’s occasional girlfriend; Susan Hershey, a friend of Pam and Georgie; Joanie Lush, a friend of Pam and Georgie; Molly MacGregor, Malcolm’s mother. Many of these roles will be doubled.

Can you believe we open in just ONE WEEK?! Where has the summer gone?! Check out Ian and Lauren's interview with Brennan...
07/24/2026

Can you believe we open in just ONE WEEK?! Where has the summer gone?! Check out Ian and Lauren's interview with Brennan Somer of News 8 WROC Rochester!

ROCHESTER, N.Y. (WROC) — “Urinetown” is coming to the stage next week at Blackfriars Theatre. The audience takes a trip to a Gotham-like city facing a terrible water shortage, where pri…

🚨ANNOUNCING🚨 the brilliant cast of MEN ON BOATS, by Jaclyn Backhaus, running Oct 22 - Nov 1!! If auditions were any indi...
07/23/2026

🚨ANNOUNCING🚨 the brilliant cast of MEN ON BOATS, by Jaclyn Backhaus, running Oct 22 - Nov 1!! If auditions were any indication, this one is going to be INSANE.
https://www.blackfriars.org/men-on-boats

JOHN WESLEY POWELL - Sara Mayer-Fried
WILLIAM DUNN - Katelyn Machnica
JOHN COLTON SUMNER - Trish Annese
OLD SHADY - Marge Mattioli
BRADLEY - Sonni Amoroso
O.G. HOWLAND - Yakira Capri Coleman
SENECA HOWLAND - Rachel Cardiel
FRANK GOODMAN - Kiefer Schenk
HALL - Laura Varela
HAWKINS - Delia Tillan-Figueroa

We always have a lot of fun at auditions, but this one felt particularly special. Thank you to everyone who came out and helped reassert our faith in absurdity, commitment, and PLAY. 🎭

TODAY'S FRINGE FEATURE: WELL-BALANCED DADS!https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/well-balanced-dadsPERFORMANCES:...
07/22/2026

TODAY'S FRINGE FEATURE: WELL-BALANCED DADS!
https://rochesterfringe.com/tickets-and-shows/well-balanced-dads
PERFORMANCES:
Thurs, Sept 24th @ 9PM
Fri, Sept 25th @ 6:30PM
Sat, Sept 26th @ 2:30PM

-Balanced Dads is a family-friendly character comedy about two suburban dads navigating life after their kids have left the nest. With their trusty man-van, they hit the road for a camping trip full of dad jokes, dancing, snacks, acrobatics, macho movie references, and plenty of unthreatening audience participation.
In this hour of pure heart and joy, this hilarious duo balances levity with deeper themes like finding your inner child, hypermasculinity, and their own relationships with their fathers. Bring your finger guns and your best dad moves, and brace yourselves for the Well-Balanced Dads.

"There is an increasing rift in the world of masculinity of what is healthy vs. toxic behavior, and we wanted to make these characters and this show represent a wholesome example of masculine relationship through dad stereotypes we're familiar with. These Dads certainly aren’t perfect, but they’re trying their best. We want to make art showcasing and celebrating the world we want to see."

"Well-Balanced Dads was built through Fringe and built for festival audiences - it is highly interactive, fits in a suitcase, and has timely content. Technology advancement is currently widening the relationship gap between generations, and views on masculinity are incredibly polarizing. This show asks audiences to engage with these difficult topics through connection, play, and laughter. This is a show for anyone who is a dad, has a dad, or wants a dad."

07/21/2026

URINETOWN writers, Greg Kotis & Mark Hollmann (plus original cast actor, John Cullum!)

Address

795 E Main Street
Rochester, NY
14605

Opening Hours

Tuesday 12pm - 4pm
Wednesday 12pm - 4pm
Thursday 12pm - 4pm
Friday 12pm - 4pm

Telephone

+15854541260

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