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Theater Talk: Peter Palmisano's ambitious "A History of Buffalo Theatre" podcast, part of his "OFF ROAD" series

Off Road Logo from RoadLessTraveledProductions.org
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Road Less Traveled Productions has been offering a series (19 to date) of podcasts entitled OFF ROAD WITH PETER PALMISANO. They all feature popular Buffalo actor Peter Palmisano in conversation with various movers and shakers in the arts community (not just theater). While there are conversations with actors such as Stephen McKinley Henderson whom we see on stage and screen, there are many, many more conversations with those who create the magic.

There are directors such as Victoria Pérez, choreographers such as Lynne Kurdziel-Formato, playwrights such as Donna Hoke and Gary Earl Ross, puppeteer Adam Kreutinger, film-maker George Pittas, editorial cartoonist Adam Zyglis, set designer Dyan Burlingame, and many artistic directors including Mary Kate O'Connell, Loraine O'Donnell, and JoAnn Falletta.

And, at the same location, you can find, after a pandemic's worth of months of research and multiple (almost 200) conversations, Palmisano's "A History of Buffalo Theatre," eight OFF ROAD episodes discussing Buffalo’s rich theater background, beginning with the early 1800s with "the skeleton" of the final episode which will bring us to 2021. That's this week's topic of our podcast "Theater Talk with Anthony Chase and Peter Hall."

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK
Anthony Chase
The three actors in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK who play Puck: Phil Wackerfuss, Melinda Capeles, and Dan Torres

Anthony writes about Shakespeare in Delaware Park's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK in his post "A Shakespearean Tour of Delaware Park" on his blog as follows:

"It's a sure sign of summer in Buffalo. Shakespeare in Delaware Park has returned with a charming walk through the park. Patrons visit various locations to see abridged scenes from "A Midsummer Night's Dream." The production, expertly directed by Kyle LoConti, features some exciting young talent and some seasoned Shakespeare veterans. The performances are excellent and the stroll through glorious Delaware Park is marvelous! A pandemic might have inspired this departure from the usual fully staged production, but this edition of Shakespeare in Delaware Park will become a cherished memory for everyone who sees it."

Anthony also posts good photos in his story "MusicalFare returns with 'Love, Linda' - A showcase for the talent and charisma of Debbie Pappas."

He writes: "'Love, Linda: the Life of Mrs. Cole Porter' is a monologue with songs in which Linda Lee Thomas-Porter describes her complex relationship with one of the greatest American song-writers of the 20th century. It was thrilling to be back in the darkened MusicalFare theater -- albeit after displaying my NYS Excelsior pass, confirming my vaccination status, and with the chair beside me marked off with masking tape."

You can read his review of LOVE, LINDA in The Buffalo News here.

The Alleyway Theatre's BUFFALO QUICKIES continues to present their an annual festival of short plays. It's running through July 10. Read Anthony's review here

and read Peter's review here.

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
Even though "semi-retired," Peter Hall continues to wear many hats. He is the Sunday afternoon host on WBFO’s “sister station,” WNED Classical where he has produced over 1,000 radio interviews with musical artists. If you see him at a theater with a pen in his hand, he’s probably getting ready to co-host “Theater Talk” with Anthony Chase (heard Friday mornings at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on WBFO) or to write a review for www.buffalorising.com. He is also a member of the "Artie Awards" committee (think “Tony Awards for Buffalo theaters”).
Latest Episodes
  • 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.
  • 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 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.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the outpouring of love and gratitude for Vincent O'Neill's guidance over a more than one generation of actors and directors... and so so the show goes on! BACK TO THE FUTURE offers stunning production values at Shea's, BETWEEN THE LINES is a charming musical with a great cast (Bellissima on the Allendale/TOY stage), and we have a new theater in town: The Evangola Community Theater with a comedy next month about.... community theater! 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.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter observe the passing of Irish Classical Theatre co-founder Vincent O'Neill (more next week). They rave about CRAZY FOR YOU (Eric Deeb Weaver, choreography), starring Eric Rivas and UB senior Audree Woods... only up through this Sunday, 6/22. Also fun, MASS APPEAL at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre in Cheektowaga. Anthony reports on early preparations for Ujima's GODSPELL. 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.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss the 34th Annual Artie Awards, sponsored by Buffalo Toronto Public Media, presented June 9, 2025 at Asbury Hall, in Buffalo, hosted by Anthony Chase, Curtis Lovell, and Amy Jakiel with Music Director Philip Farugia. Scroll all the way down to see the winners or visit theatertalkbuffalo.com. Also, complete listings 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.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss MASS APPEAL at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre, which is continuing, while WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE WITH SALAD is generating a lot of buzz but closes this weekend (a must-see). CROCODILE FEVER at Irish Classical comes with numerous trigger warnings, and Anthony shares how Buffalo's Prop Mistress to the Stars, Diane Almeter Jones, is learning to create reusable fake pools of blood. JOSHUA'S BOOTS, an opera by African American composer Adolphus Hailstork, is performing tonight and tomorrow afternoon at First Shiloh Baptist Church. Complete listings 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.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the Artie Awards Monday, June 9th at Asbury Hall on Delaware Avenue at 8 p.m. Amy Jakiel and Curtis Lovell return as hosts, along with Anthony Chase. Visit Anthony's blog theatertalkbuffalo.com for a complete list of nominations and visit babevillebuffalo.com/events/ for tickets. Anthony and Peter also enjoyed the strong cast in WOMEN LAUGHING ALONE EATING SALAD, currently up on the Alleyway stage. For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on BTPM NPR, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on btpm.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter caught up on shows the other had seen. HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (see listings) directed by Michael Gilbert-Wachowiak and starring Kris Bartolomeo and drag queen Vanna Deux and O'Connell & Company's charming INTO THE WOODS Opening night of THE EARLY GIRL featured seven equally fine actors, including Kai Crumley in a leading role and Juli Grygier back on the ART stage as solid as she was as in THE INFORMER. Eight (8!) shows close by Sunday this weekend (see listings) and they're all very good. The Artie Awards are scheduled for Monday, June 9th at Asbury Hall on Delaware Avenue at 8 p.m. Amy Jakiel and Curtis Lovell return as hosts, along with Anthony Chase. Tickets will become available on May 19th, immediately following the nominations announcement on Buffalo-Toronto Public Media at noon. Visit BTPM NPR on YouTube or Facebook. For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on btpm.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the 27th annual Pride Brunch organized by Embrace Western New York which honored, among others, Anthony for being the only media personality in WNY to be openly gay without that being the point of his shows. Anthony was over the moon about HEDWIG AND THE ANGRY INCH (see listings) directed by Michael Gilbert-Wachowiak and starring Kris Bartolomeo and drag queen Vanna Deux while Peter went to Bailey Avenue for O'Connell & Company's fun INTO THE WOODS with fine singing (no mics!) and a solid live (not taped) pit (see listings). For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the Artie Awards will be on Monday, June 9th (the day after the Tony Awards). But first, eight (8!) shows opening over May 1st, 2nd and 3rd! (See listings.) Playwright Kathleen Betsko Yale has a memorial service at Irish Classical on Monday. THE CHER SHOW is coming to Shea's (but only for four performances) while WAITRESS continues at MusicalFare in Amherst, and almost simulteaneously, LEGALLY BLONDE will be produced by MusicalFare at Sheas 710. EVERYBODY by Brandon Jacob Jenkins opens at Ujima, and Sondheim and LaPine's INTO THE WOODS opens at O'Connell & Co. just to name a few For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.