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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: Buffalo's own Dominique Kempf starts the national tour of TOOTSIE at Shea's

By Anthony Chase,
Peter Hall
Published October 8, 2021 at 5:00 AM EDT
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Dominique Kempf singing the National Anthem at the Buffalo Bills home game against the Miami Dolphins on October 20th, 2019. She's next on stage for the national tour of TOOTSIE starting at Shea's Oct 10, 2021
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Dominique Kempf singing the National Anthem at the Buffalo Bills home game against the Miami Dolphins on October 20th, 2019. She's next on stage for the national tour of TOOTSIE starting at Shea's Oct 10, 2021

Dominique Kempf (Frontier High School, SUNY Fredonia) has been seen on many local stages, including Shea's 710 (LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS and AVENUE Q) and MusicalFare (Sarah in RAGTIME, Maria in WEST SIDE STORY, and others). But, starting on Sunday October 10, local audiences can get a "first look" at Dominique on the big Shea's main stage as the Broadway musical TOOTSIE begins its national tour in Buffalo.

In conversation with Theater Talk's Anthony Chase and Peter Hall, Dominique described the year-long audition process, during Covid, 100% remote, and how her parents were a big part of her success. Starting with a performance of IN THE HEIGHTS at Shea's she turned to her mother and said "I need to be on that stage." Both mom and dad (formerly with the Buffalo Bills organization) agreed and many voice, dance, and acting lessons later, it all paid off.

To hear Dominique sing The National Anthem before a Buffalo Bills game (lead photo) click here.

CONTINUING:

BETSY CARMICHAEL'S BINGO PALACE starring Joey Bucheker at Shea's Smith Theatre, 658 Main Street (September 25 - October 23) 716-847-0850

CAMELOT by Lerner and Loewe at MusicalFare in a small cast version by David Lee, co-directed by Carlos R.A. Jones and Victoria Pérez, continues through October 17 featuring Darryl Semira as Arthur, Gabby McKinley as Guenevere, Alejandro Gabriél Gómez as Lancelot, Arin Lee Dandes as Mordred, and Sam Crystal, Sabrina Kahwaty, and Josh Wilde in a variety of roles.

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, presented by the Brazen Faced Varlets opens at The Alleyway Theatre main stage tonight, October 8, 2021
Brazen Faced Varlets website
ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT, presented by the Brazen Faced Varlets opens at The Alleyway Theatre main stage tonight, October 8, 2021

OPENINGS (by date) IN OCTOBER

ALL THROUGH THE NIGHT presented by the Brazen Faced Varlets (October 8 - 23) at the Alleyway Main Theatre. http://www.varlets.org/
From the BFV website: ALL THROUGH THE NIGH speaks directly with a warning for today. Set during and after the Third Reich, this work is a stylistic, surrealistic play inspired by interviews with German, gentile women. With a minimal set, minimal props, and an unconventional time frame that jumps chronological order, the play sweeps from the women's teen years through adulthood during WWII and beyond. The Nazi Regime impacts the women's lives as they struggle over work, religion, marriage, and motherhood. Making overwhelmingly hard choices, they survive or succumb to Hitler's reign and are ultimately changed forever. Featuring: Sarah Emmerling, Kaeli McGinnis, Jessie Miller, Kathleen Rooney, and Stefanie Warnick. Directed by Lara D. Haberberger and Stage Managed by Leyla Gentil.

TOOTSIE (national tour) opens at Shea's Buffalo Theatre October 10. Plenty of seats are available.

TRIBUTE opens at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre October 13 at Bobby J's American Grill

AMERICAN SON presented by Ujima NOTE NEW OPENING DATE! (October 15 - 30) at 429 Plymouth in Buffalo

CHORUS LINE presented by O'Connell & Co. (October 15 - 31) at 3200 Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore

PHOTOGRAPH 51 presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre (October 21 - November 14) in the Jewish Community Center in Getzville.

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME presented by "All for One" Productions at Shea's 710 Theatre (October 28 - November 14)

SOMETHING WICKED presented by American Repertory Theatre (October 28 - November 20) 545 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo

WOMAN IN BLACK presented by the Kavinoky Theatre (October 29 - November 21) on the D'Youville College campus in Buffalo

Tags
2021 Theater TalkMusicalFare TheatreDominique KempfShea's Broadway SeriesShea's Buffalo TheatreShea's Kenny AwardsFrontier High SchoolSUNY FredoniaWBFO Arts & Culture DeskWBFO
Anthony Chase
Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
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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
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