Buffalo Theatre Ensemble has announced the lineup and partial casting for it 2019-2020 season, which includes Jeffrey Hatcher’s “Holmes and Watson,” Bekah Brunstetter’s “The Cake” and Mat Smart’s “Naperville.”

“It has been only three years since BTE’s return to the MAC. During this time, we’ve increased the size of the ensemble by 50%, garnered four Jeff Recommendations, received more than $77,500 in grant support and, just recently, were named by the readers of the Daily Herald as the area’s Top Pick for Best Live Theatre. On the heels of this period of tremendous growth, comes our new season, featuring a selection of plays we know theater audiences will enjoy,” comments Artistic Director Connie Canaday Howard.

BTE’s 2019-2020 season (from the press release):

“Holmes and Watson”
By Jeffrey Hatcher
Directed by Ron May
Featuring Ensemble Members Robyn Coffin, Kurt Naebig and Norm Woodel
September 5 – October 6, 2019.

Three years following the mysterious “death” of Sherlock Holmes at Reichenbach Falls, there have been many who have claimed to be Holmes, all de-bunked as imposters by the faithful partner of the sleuth, Watson. Now three separate men insist that they are the famous sleuth, having survived that encounter at the Falls. Full of twists and turns, this is a riveting and clever adventure from award-winning playwright Hatcher who co-wrote the stage adaptation of “Tuesdays with Morrie” with author Mitch Albom and penned the screenplay to the 2015 film “Mr. Holmes.”

“The Cake”
By Bekah Brunstetter
Directed by Steve Scott
Featuring Ensemble Members Bryan Burke, Connie Canaday Howard, and Lisa Dawn
January 30 – March 1, 2020

Della’s bakery in Winston-Salem, North Carolina is a landmark, largely because of the love and care Della takes in following recipes. When Jen, the girl she thinks of as her “goddaughter,” returns from New York and asks Della to make her wedding cake, not for one bride but two, it is hard for Della to follow one of her tried and true set of instructions for a perfect outcome. Faith, family, and food impact one another in the discovery that love is the key ingredient to any recipe in this timely play from a writer of NBC’s hit “This is Us.”

“Naperville”
By Mat Smart
Directed by Kurt Naebig
Featuring Ensemble Members Amelia Barrett, Rebecca Cox, Nick DuFloth and Robert Jordan Bailey
April 30 – May 31

It is Naperville, 2012. Anne works on a new project, T.C. is captaining the first shift as the new manager and Candice and son Howard, back from Seattle, arrive at her favorite coffee spot: a Caribou. What follows is a day full of eccentricity, cups of coffee and affecting conversation creating a turning point that shows how community can add to your life. The New York Times says, “…everyone in this shop has a story, a loss, a regret, and Smart weaves their tales together adeptly.” This funny and moving play is a heartwarming salute to the moment we discover a new definition of home.