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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: Disney's FROZEN at Shea's yet another Disney hit; Anthony opens up about his on-stage appearance in WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT

By Anthony Chase,

Peter Hall

Published September 17, 2021 at 5:30 AM EDT

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The sisters Elsa and Anna in Disney's National Tour of FROZEN now at Shea's Buffalo.

After 18 months of hibernation, the Buffalo Theatre District was alive with crowds wearing masks and streaming into Shea's Buffalo for the long-awaited re-boot of the National Tour of Disney's FROZEN (in town through September 24). Caroline Bowman as Elsa has a big voice and bigger smile and her on-stage sister Anna (Caroline Innerbichler) is cute as a button and dances spectacularly with Austin Colby as Hans. Meanwhile, sharing the alley that connects Pearl Street and Main Street, the Alleyway Theatre continues it's different-actor-each-night run of WHITE RABBIT RED RABBIT by Nassim Soleimanpour through October 2, 2021.

In Disney's North American tour of FROZEN at Shea's Buffalo Austin Colby and Caroline Innerbichler dance divinely

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Anthony Chase

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.

See stories by Anthony Chase

Peter Hall

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”).

See stories by Peter Hall

Latest Episodes

Theater Talk: It's the most wonderful time... for great theater! WHITE CHRISTMAS wows at Shea's 710 with a stellar cast and Kristy Cavanagh's choreography. Get up to Kenan for a metatheatrical CHRISTMAS CAROL... so good. See listings below.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter take a few extra minutes because the shows are so good. There are five (5) CHRISTMAS CAROLs this weekend, including the traditional (43 years!) version by Neal Radice (with David Mitchell) at Buff State, a new version with Daniel Lendzian at The Alleyway, a version starring Stan Klimecko at the Kenan Center, the Tim Carroll version at Shaw, and Mike Randall at the Kavinoky. There are two (2) WHITE CHRISTMAS shows: MusicalFare's at Shea's 710 (fabulous choreography by Kristy E. Cavanagh) and one at Shaw. FANCY NANCY'S SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS continues at Theatre of Youth, CONCRETE CHRISTMAS opens at ART, and Bellissima continues with CARRIE. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGSSCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS Yes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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.
Theater Talk: NYC all decked out for the holidays, Chenoweth and Ruff always good to see, back home we have five A CHRISTMAS CAROLs, two WHITE CHRISTMASES, and at Shea's, a Neglia/BPO NUTCRACKER.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony, just back from NYC, loved the storefronts and all the holiday glamour that is New York at Christmas, plus he saw Buffalo's Roslyn Ruff in KYOTO, and later Kristen Chenoweth in THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, where, even knowing that the show would close in early January, she gave it 100%. (By the way, the BTPM bus trip in January has replaced it with the 2025 Tony Award Best Musical MAYBE HAPPY ENDING.) And, Anthony reports that OPERATION MINCEMEAT (also on the January 2026 bus trip) is very funny. Back home, we have at least five (5) A CHRISTMAS CAROLs, including the traditional (43 years!) version by Neal Radice (with David Mitchel) at Buff State, a new version with Daniel Lendzian at The Alleyway, and another version starring Stan Klimecko at the Kenan Center. And the Tim Carroll version is at Shaw, and Mike Randall at various locations. MusicalFare's WHITE CHRISTMAS just opened at Shea's 710, and FANCY NANCY'S SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS opens at Theatre of Youth, as does the BPO and Neglia Ballet's annual Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). Whew! That's a lot of choices. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGSYes!Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Theater excellence abounds with so many good actors! WICKED through this weekend at Shea's, MR. WOLF through 12/14, Neglia/BPO's NUTCRACKER next weekend. See complete listings.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the cultural phenomenon that is WICKED, still at Shea's through 11/30. And the movie WICKED FOR GOOD is good, too, with "eye-popping visuals." Good for children and adults as will be the annual NUTCRACKER, at Shea's next weekend (12/5-7). Great local productions lately, including Ronan Noone's THIRST, which was at Irish Classical, and, still up through 12/14, Rajiv Joseph's MR. WOLF at Road Less Traveled.SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Four closings this weekend, time flies! THIRST at Irish Classical; GIDION'S KNOT (Brazen Faced Varlets at ART); STRAIGHT WHITE MEN at Ujima, and CONSCIENCE at JRT. Continuing: WICKED at Shea's and MR. WOLF at Road Less Traveled.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about four closings this weekend. THIRST at Irish Classical with Aleks Malesj and Kai Crumley; GIDION'S KNOT (Brazen Faced Varlets at ART) with Caitlin Coleman and Kristin Tripp Kelley; STRAIGHT WHITE MEN at Ujima, and CONSCIENCE at JRT. Continuing: WICKED at Shea's and MR. WOLF, another wonderful play by Rajiv Joseph at Road Less Traveled. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Anthony back from NYC saw Jimmy Calire's (remember the rock group "Raven"?) musical REUNIONS. Also ROMY & MICHELE (a new musical about their H.S. reunion). Next week: GIDION'S KNOT and THIRST (see attached listings).

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Anthony's recent trip to a theater conference in NYC, where he saw REUNIONS, a new Off-Broadway musical featuring music by Jimmy Calire (formerly with "The Ravens," a Buffalo rock band). It's a chamber musical adaptation of two classic one-act plays: The Twelve-Pound Look by J.M. Barrie (creator of Peter Pan) and A Sunny Morning both with former lovers reuniting, now playing at New York City Center Stage II. Anthony also saw “ROMY AND MICHELE: The Musical now playing Off-Broadway at Stage 42 based on the 1997 movie "Romy and Michele’s High School Reunion," with two best friends who pose as successful businesswomen (inventors of Post-it notes!) to impress classmates at their 10-year reunion. Anthony will catch GIDION'S KNOT (Brazen Faced Varlets at Compass PAC) and THIRST (Irish Classical) and will discuss them next week! SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Author Terry Guest on OAK at Alleyway, CONSCIENCE delivers powerful performances at Jewish Rep, last weekend for URINETOWN with super choregraphy by Kristy Cavanagh. Click through and scroll down for complete listings through December.

This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about Terry Guest's OAK, a deep south ghost story at the Alleyway (and the author himself talks about his roots). CONSCIENCE at Jewish Repertory Theatre is very timely about the demagogue Joe McCarthy who was held to account by Maine's Margaret Chase Smith, with super performances by Josie DiVincenzo, David Mitchell, Anna Krempholtz, and Nick Stevens. It's the last weekend for URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre continues to be hilarious with choreography by Kristy Cavanagh. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: So much talent on so many stages! THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM by Bella Poynton (First Look/BUA at Canterbury Woods), COME FROM AWAY (MusicalFare at Shea's 710), and URINETOWN (2nd Gen at Shea's Smith) with more to tell next week.

This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM by local playwright Bela Poynton, COME FROM AWAY as MusicalFare starts its season at its new home in Shea's 710 Theatre, URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre, and look forward to Alleyway's OAK by the author of MAGNOLIA BALLET (seen previously at the Alleyway) and CONSCIENCE at Jewish Repertory Theatre. To see complete listings, click the link "Theater Talk: So much talent...." above. Then scroll through to see complete listings of what's on stage!Yes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Last chances for 3 good shows - Bellissima's BITE ME (see photo), Lancaster's NIGHT WATCH, and ART's GODS OF PADEREWSKI DRIVE. Openings include Musicalfare's COME FROM AWAY, 2nd Gen's URINETOWN, BUA/First Look's GIRL IN THE WASHROOM, and Alleyway's OAK.

This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about your last chances to see three plays which close this weekend: BITE ME, an intense two-hander set in a high school, NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher (of SORRY WRONG NUMBER fame), and GODS OF PADEREWSKI DRIVE by local favorite Tom Dudzick. In between, Anthony found time to see the new movie version of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN starring Jennifer Lopez, et. al. And there are four (4) good openings: COME FROM AWAY as MusicalFare starts its season at Shea's 710 Theatre, URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre, THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM (ghost hunters then and now) by local playwright Bela Poynton, and OAK with teenagers, a shotgun, and a swamp monster by the author of MAGNOLIA BALLET (seen previously at the Alleyway). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: Hear Anthony's amusing family trip for DAMN YANKEES, THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR, and more! Meanwhile, there are plenty of local openings (click through for listings).

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony recounts to Peter his recent trip down to see family in Maryland, a trip that came with three theatrical delights. First, Anthony went to the updated DAMN YANKEES at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., featuring new lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The action moves from the Washington Senators to the Baltimore Orioles, set in the year 2000. Joe Hardy is now a Black Orioles fan whose father was a standout in the Negro Leagues. His quest isn’t just about baseball glory, it’s about fulfilling a dream denied to his father due to racial discrimination. Female characters are given more depth, and the team is racially diverse. The family took in a puppet show (75 puppets!) bringing Eric Carle's THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and several other children's books to the stage. And back home, "Uncle Tony's" niece put on a show, complete with box office, tickets, and a one-person recreation of the caterpillar story to a sold-out house. Anthony's observation was that she had put more thought into the box office than the production, but wished that more local theaters put more thought into their ticketing and lobby experiences. Click through to see complete listings of what's on stage!Yes! Do it! Click through to see complete listings of what's on stage!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.
Theater Talk: THE BOOK OF WILL at RLTP has it all; Bring extra Kleenex to THE NOTEBOOK at Shea's; YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN (Starring Buffalo) was so funny!; last weekend for A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING (snappy Rodgers & Hammerstein revue) at Kenan.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about THE BOOK OF WILL, an exceptionally moving play at Road Less Traveled, concerning a group of friends working hard to save Shakespeare's plays. A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING takes 31 songs by Rodgers and Hammerstein and presents them in a funny revue at the Kenan Center's Taylor Theater. YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN was given a super presentation by Starring Buffalo. THE NOTEBOOK, a real tear-jerker, opened at Shea's and THE GODS OF PADEREWSKI DRIVE opened at American Repertory Theater (545 Elmwood Ave). Anthony did get down to NYC to see Buffalo's Stephen McKinley Henderson in the editor's cut of a new documentary titled "This Place Matters! Ten Chimneys" at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, celebrating the lives and legacy of the “first couple of the Broadway stage” Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. CLICK ON THIS PODCAST'S TITLE TO SEE COMPLETE LISTINGS FOR WNY THEATERS!That's right! Click through to see complete listings of what's on stage 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.