Episodes

  • Theater Talk: ONCE IN MY LIFETIME at Lancaster Opera House will have you Bill-ieve, MURDER ON THE LAKE very funny at Shawfest, Ujima's GODSPELL to concentrate on "the outsider," and Shea's Broadway season highly anticipated (esp. THE OUTSIDERS and KIMBERLY AKIMBO)

    Theater Talk: ONCE IN MY LIFETIME at Lancaster Opera House will have you Bill-ieve, MURDER ON THE LAKE very funny at Shawfest, Ujima's GODSPELL to concentrate on "the outsider," and Shea's Broadway season highly anticipated (esp. THE OUTSIDERS and KIMBERLY AKIMBO)
    Aug 29 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter appreciate the upcoming Shea's lineup, particularly THE OUTSIDERS and KIMBERLY AKIMBO. The new season is already underway with Donna Hoke's ONCE IN MY LIFETIME, a Buffalo Bills Super Bowl fantasy (spoiler: we win!) at the Lancaster Opera House, and Ujima Theater Co. also opens early on 9/5 with GODSPELL and the theme of the outsider. The Shaw Festival is running strong all the way through October 5, including a very entertaining MURDER ON THE LAKE, where an audience member takes on the role of detective on stage with several favorite Shaw actors improvising their roles. Very funny.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: RIP Artie Award-winning actor Hugh Davis; all-Black production (author, director, cast) of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY stunning at Shawfest; African-American playwright C.A. Johnson's THE WITNESSES closes this weekend at Chautauqua; Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST magnificent at Shea's (what a cast!) closes this Sunday.

    Theater Talk: RIP Artie Award-winning actor Hugh Davis; all-Black production (author, director, cast) of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY stunning at Shawfest; African-American playwright C.A. Johnson's THE WITNESSES closes this weekend at Chautauqua; Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST magnificent at Shea's (what a cast!) closes this Sunday.
    Aug 22 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter remember Artie Award-winning Buffalo actor Hugh Davis, who died under tragic circumstances last week and who gave us more than three decades of solid performances, mostly in roles by African American playwrights, mostly at Ujima Company and the Paul Robeson Theatres, but all over town. He will be missed. For an in-depth look, visit Anthony's blog theatertalkbuffalo.com. An all-Black (author, director, cast) production of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY delivers a superior experience in the Jackie Maxwell Theatre at the Shaw Festival. It's been 25 years since BEAUTY AND THE BEAST was the first Disney animated film to be made into a musical, and the touring production at Shea's is stunning, with excellent performances. This weekend the Chautauqua Theater Company closes the premiere of C.A. Johnson's play THE WITNESSES.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: Anthony's talk at Shaw a success; preview of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY had added delight; Chautauqua has two openings; and Veanne Cox has three shows in development (fingers crossed for WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT)

    Theater Talk: Anthony's talk at Shaw a success; preview of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY had added delight; Chautauqua has two openings; and Veanne Cox has three shows in development (fingers crossed for WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT)
    Aug 15 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about “Anecdotes & Stories from the Theater” at the Shaw Festival when Anthony had a fun-filled conversation with director Philip Akin, and actors Fiona Byrne and Neil Barclay. And he's been invited back next year! After the discussion, they went to the nearby Jackie Maxwell Theatre for a preview of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY with the director, Kimberly Rampersad, filling in last minute with script in hand. Again, a reminder that the Chautauqua Theater Company is premiering C.A. Johnson's play THE WITNESSES, as well as the CTC's New Play Workshop presenting BEST FOR BABY Sat- Sun 8/16-17. Anthony visited his friend, Broadway actor Veanne Cox, who is in on the ground floor of the development of three potential Broadway shows: a musical version of MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS, a version of "Summer Stock" to be called GET HAPPY (after one of the shows most famous songs), and, saving the best (or wildest) for last, a jukebox musical using the plot of Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones" using songs by the Welsh pop singer Tom Jones, to be called WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's RICHARD III very clear and timely, Anthony in NYC for Charles Busch reunion, Jean Smart's CALL ME IZZY, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. At the Shawfest, DEAR LIAR is engaging, ANYTHING GOES is over-the-top wonderful, and MAJOR BARBARA beautifully cast, including Fiona Byrne, who joins Anthony (and Neil Barclay and Philip Aiken) for the roundtable Saturday, August 9, at 10am in the Spiegeltent. Get your tickets today!

    Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's RICHARD III very clear and timely, Anthony in NYC for Charles Busch reunion, Jean Smart's CALL ME IZZY, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. At the Shawfest, DEAR LIAR is engaging, ANYTHING GOES is over-the-top wonderful, and MAJOR BARBARA beautifully cast, including Fiona Byrne, who joins Anthony (and Neil Barclay and Philip Aiken) for the roundtable Saturday, August 9, at 10am in the Spiegeltent. Get your tickets today!
    Aug 1 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th season opening of RICHARD III very clear and timely, Anthony in NYC for Charles Busch reunion, Jean Smart's CALL ME IZZY, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING. At the Shawfest, DEAR LIAR is engaging, ANYTHING GOES is over-the-top wonderful, and MAJOR BARBARA beautifully cast, including Fiona Byrne, who join Anthony (and Neil Barclay and Philip Aiken) for the roundtable Saturday, August 9, at 10am in the Spiegeltent. Get your tickets today! (Complete Shaw listings below/attached.)For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th anniversary opens RICHARD III while the traveling, edited ROMEO AND JULIET, highly entertaining, continues. At the Shaw Festival, GNIT is engaging and funny as will be Anthony on August 9th, speaking in the Spiegeltent at Shawfest, after which we'll see BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY.

    Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th anniversary opens RICHARD III while the traveling, edited ROMEO AND JULIET, highly entertaining, continues. At the Shaw Festival, GNIT is engaging and funny as will be Anthony on August 9th, speaking in the Spiegeltent at Shawfest, after which we'll see BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY.
    Jul 25 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th season opening of RICHARD III and the continuing, traveling, edited, excellent ROMEO AND JULIET. At the Shaw Festival in Niagara-on-the-Lake GNIT is a very entertaining take on PEER GYNT and a reminder that Saturday, August 9, at 10 am Anthony will be speaking in the "Spiegeltent" and then at 1 pm enjoying BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY (about the end of the Harlem Renaissance) at the adjacent Jackie Maxwell Theatre. (Complete Shaw listings below/attached.)For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: R.I.P. Saul Elkin (1932 - 2025) founder of two (!) Buffalo theater companies, Shea's expansion, HERE WE SIT at new Evangola Community Theater, Buffalo's Michele Ragusa in WIZARD OF OZ at Maine's Ongonquit, Anthony also sees Bianca Marroquin in GUYS AND DOLLS.

    Theater Talk: R.I.P. Saul Elkin (1932 - 2025) founder of two (!) Buffalo theater companies, Shea's expansion, HERE WE SIT at new Evangola Community Theater, Buffalo's Michele Ragusa in WIZARD OF OZ at Maine's Ongonquit, Anthony also sees Bianca Marroquin in GUYS AND DOLLS.
    Jul 18 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the passing of Saul Elkin, at age 93, founder of Shakespeare in Delaware Park (the day after their 50th anniversary production of TWELFTH NIGHT closed) as well as the Jewish Repertory Theatre. Shea's Buffalo Theater's expansion plans are (temporarily, we hope) on hold pending the planning board's orders. The Evangola Community Theater opened with HERE WE SIT, a comedy, up through tomorrow evening. Anthony headed to New England first to the North Shore Music Theatre to see Buffalo's Michele Ragusa as "The Wicked Witch of the West" in THE WIZARD OF OZ (music by Buffalo's Harold Arlen), and at the Ogunquit Playhouse in Maine Rob McClure and Bianca Marroquin (back as "Roxy" on Broadway in the fall) star in GUYS AND DOLLS. Complete local listings (including Shawfest) are below.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's TWELFTH NIGHT merits multiple viewings. Also mentioned, a Long Island actor with a career re-enacting Napoleon... even though "his French is horrific!"

    Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's TWELFTH NIGHT merits multiple viewings. Also mentioned, a Long Island actor with a career re-enacting Napoleon... even though "his French is horrific!"
    Jul 11 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note how Shakespeare in Delaware Park's 50th anniversary production of TWELFTH NIGHT merits multiple viewings. Also see Anthony's piece in the GUSTO section of July 6 Buffalo News. And also in The News, picked up from The New York Times, an amusing story about a Long Island actor.Complete local listings (including Shawfest) are below.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins
  • Theater Talk: Neglia Ballet Gala Delivers Annual Delight; Shakespeare in Delaware Park Celebrates 50 Years as Founder Saul Elkin is doing well at home and daughter Rebecca stars in TWELFTH NIGHT with Daniel Lendzian as Malvolio; Broadway's DEAD OUTLAW closes but hopefully will tour.

    Theater Talk: Neglia Ballet Gala Delivers Annual Delight; Shakespeare in Delaware Park Celebrates 50 Years as Founder Saul Elkin is doing well at home and daughter Rebecca stars in TWELFTH NIGHT with Daniel Lendzian as Malvolio; Broadway's DEAD OUTLAW closes but hopefully will tour.
    Jul 4 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note how few ballets are produced in Buffalo, but Anthony did enjoy the Neglia Ballet Gala with 90 minutes of fine dancing from students, former students, and professionals flown in. Shakespeare in Delaware Park continues their 50th anniversary with TWELFTH NIGHT, and Anthony notes how Elizabethan audiences would have loved the subplot of the servants' revenge on the martinet Malvolio. Founder (50 years ago) of SiDP Saul Elkin at home doing well. And Anthony saw DEAD OUTLAW on Broadway (closed early) and hopes that it will tour. Recently Tony nominated for Best Musical, Best Book of a Musical, and Best Original Score. Complete local listings (including Shawfest) are below.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western…
    Show More Show Less
    5 mins