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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: Recapping the 30th Annual Arties and looking at some potential 31st Annual nominees as the season gets rolling

By Anthony Chase,
Peter Hall
Published November 5, 2021 at 6:52 AM EDT
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At the 30th ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R Co-hosts Charmagne Chi, Anthony Chase, Amy Jakiel
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At the 30th ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R Co-hosts Charmagne Chi, Anthony Chase, Amy Jakiel

Finally, after after almost 18 months, the 30th Annual Artie Awards were announced on Monday, November 1, 2021 at 8 pm presented by Buffalo Toronto Public Media at The Kavinoky Theatre at D’Youville College. Thank you to D'Youville College for the beautiful venue and assistance with the live streaming. For photos, visit here.

During the opening remarks, Dr. Lorrie Clemo used the stage to announce to great applause that D'Youville will be offering an MFA in theater.

ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R D'Youville College President Lorrie Clemo welcomes the Artie Awards and announces the MFA degree, Peter Hall, Anthony Chase, Amy Jakiel.
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ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R D'Youville College President Lorrie Clemo welcomes the Artie Awards and announces the MFA degree, Peter Hall, Anthony Chase, Amy Jakiel.

The Artie Awards began in 1991 and are held each year to celebrate Western New York's Theatre Community. To be eligible for an Artie, an artist must live and work in the Buffalo area, while a theater must produce work locally, primarily with local artists.

The event is an opportunity to recognize Western New York’s theater arts, as well as, raise funds for the HIV/AIDS & Immunodeficiency Clinic at ECMC. Over the years, through contributions from theatre audiences and proceeds from red ribbon sales, the Arties have raised over $500,000 for AIDS-related charities. For a detailed history of the Arties from 1990 to the present listing every winner in every category (Thank you Doug Weyand!) visit https://artieawards.webs.com/

HERE ARE THE 2020 WINNERS:

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R Brian Brown and Zoe Scruggs (aka Curtis Lovell) accepting Oustanding Production of a Musical for PASSING STRANGE at Ujima Theatre
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ARTIE AWARDS 2021 L-R Brian Brown and Zoe Scruggs (aka Curtis Lovell) accepting Oustanding Production of a Musical for PASSING STRANGE at Ujima Theatre

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY

El Coqui Espectacular, Raíces Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL

Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Susan Drozd, Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Victoria Perez, Kiss of the Spider Woman, New Phoenix Theatre

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

Naila Ansari, Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Ben Michael Moran, Nine, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY

James Cichocki, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, Buffalo United Artists

Dan Urtz, Hand to God, Road Less Traveled Productions

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Zoe Scruggs, Cookin’ at the Cookery, MusicalFare Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Josie DiVincenzo, What I Thought I Knew, Jewish Repertory Theatre

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Jacob Albarella, Miss Nelson is Missing, Theatre of Youth

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Ricky Needham, The Boys Upstairs, Buffalo United Artists

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Jenn Stafford, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Shantinna Moore, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE

Lorenzo Shawn Parnell, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

Dyan Burlingame, The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, Road Less Traveled Productions

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Tom Makar, Sound Design/Score, The Tempest, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

Lindsay Salamone, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

ARTIE AWARDS 2021 Neal Radice wins the Career Achievement Artie
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ARTIE AWARDS 2021 Neal Radice wins the Career Achievement Artie

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Neal Radice

AND, JUST LIKE THAT, THE ARTIE COMMITTEE HAS STARTED TO ATTEND THE 2021-2022 ROSTER OF PLAYS AND MUSICALS, INCLUDING MANY OF THESE LISTINGS:

NOVEMBER OPENINGS (INCLUDING LAST NIGHT) (listed by date)

GOLDEN GIRLS LOST EPISODES: VOLUME 2 at the Alleyway Theatre November 4 - 21 alleyway.com 716-852-2600 Thursday - Sunday 7:30, Note: Extra Sunday matinees have been added at 3pm on November 13, 20, and 21.

HAND TO GOD presented by Road Less Traveled Productions (November 4 - December 5). 456 Main Street, Buffalo. Thursday - Saturday 7:30 pm, Sunday 2pm. 716-629-3069. This is the same production from before the pandemic shutdown with one cast member change.

ALL IS CALM presented by MusicalFare (November 10 - December 12) 4380 Main Street on the Daemen College Campus. Wednesday - Thursday 7pm, Friday 7:30, Saturday 3:30 and 7:30, Sunday 2pm. (No performance on Thanksgiving.) 716-839-8540.

ALL TOGETHER NOW, (November 12 & 13 at 7:30 pm and Sunday November 14 at 2:30) "worldwide event celebrates the return of live theatre with an exclusive musical revue featuring songs from MTI's (Music Theatre International) beloved shows over the weekend of November 12-14, 2021 featuring some of WNY's greatest musical talents.

(oconnellandcompany.com)

A DRAG QUEEN CHRISTMAS, national tour, at Shea's Performing Arts Center (Shea's Buffalo Theatre) one night only, Friday, November 12 at 8:00 pm. (Sheas.org).

ESCAPE TO MARGARITAVILLE, national tour, at Shea's Performing Arts Center (Shea's Buffalo Theatre) November 16 - November 21, Tuesday -Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30. (Sheas.org).

RENT, the musical, presented by Starring Buffalo at Shea's 710 Theater, November 19 - 21, Friday - Saturday 7:30pm, Saturday 2pm (starringbuffalo.org) (sheas.org)

Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER, presented by Neglia Ballet Artists with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Saturday, November 27 at 7:00 pm and Sunday November 28 at 1:00 at Shea's Performing Arts Center. Visit Sheas.org. Note: open to children two years of age and over. Children under two will not be permitted into the theatre.

Handel's MESSIAH at OLV, Sunday, November 28⋅at 7:30 pm presented by The Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus at Our Lady of Victory Basilica, 767 Ridge Road, Lackawanna, NY 14218. Tickets are not available through the BPO Box Office this year. Tickets can be purchased at bpchorus.org or by calling 716-980-5701. (See second performance at St. Mary's, Swormville, below)

SUBVERSIVE PROJECT presented by Subversive Theatre at the New Phoenix Theatre on the Park (November 28 -December 18) 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo, NY 14201 (716-853-1334) newphnxtheatre@aol.com (Note: information is not at subversivetheatre.org. Instead, visit newphnxtheatre@aol.com

PRETTY WOMAN: THE MUSICAL, national tour and part of the M&T Bank Broadway Series, November 30 - December 5 (Tuesday - Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30. Visit Sheas.org.

CONTINUING:

LOOPED presented by New Phoenix Theatre (October 28 to November 20) 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo Thursday - Saturday at 8pm. 716-853-1334 (newphnxtheatre@aol.com) with James Cichocki and Elliot Fox and Julie Kittsley as Tallulah Bankhead. Thursdays are pay what you can.

PHOTOGRAPH 51 presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre through November 14) in the Jewish Community Center in Getzville. (716) 688-4033 (jccbuffalo.org/jrt/) (no performances Fridays)

SOMETHING WICKED presented by American Repertory Theatre (October 28 - November 20) 545 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. Thursday - Friday 7:30pm, Saturday 5pm (artofwny.org) (716) 697-0837

TRIBUTE continues at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre through December 18 in the back of Bobby J's American Grill 204 Como Park Blvd Cheektowaga featuring Gregory Gjurich, Zachery Gammel, Lisa Hinca, Jennifer Starr, Lisa Ludwig, Robert Insana, and Marie Costa. Shows run most Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (& some Wednesdays). (http://www.mybobbyjs.com/desiderio-s-dinner-theatre) Reservations by telephone only (716) 395-3207 Evening: 6pm Dinner, 7:30pm Show Matinee: 1pm Dinner, 2:30pm Show

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD presented by Second Generation Theatre (October 22 - November 14) at Shea's Smith Theatre, 658 Main Street, Buffalo. (secondgenerationtheatre.com) 716-874-0850 (No performances November 4 - 7)

REMNANTS presented by Torn Space (October 22 - November 13) is an interactive, multi-media installation to be explored in groups of six. Ticketed time slots for 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. tornspacetheater.com or ovationtix.com

THE BAND'S VISIT, national tour (November 2 - 7) at Shea's Performing Arts Center (Tuesday - Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30. Visit Sheas.org.

THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME presented by "All for One" Productions at Shea's 710 Theatre (October 28 - November 14) (sheas.org/performances/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-nighttime/)

WOMAN IN BLACK presented by the Kavinoky Theatre (October 29 - November 21) on the D'Youville College campus in Buffalo, 320 Porter Avenue (716) 829-7668 (Kavinokytheatre.com)

DECEMBER OPENINGS (listed by date):

SMART PEOPLE, presented by Ujima (December 3 - December 19) School 77, 429 Plymouth Street, Buffalo

THE LIFE AND ADVENTURES OF SANTA CLAUS presented by O'Connell & Company (December 3 - December 19) on the Ken-Ton Elmwood Commons Mainstage, 3200 Elmwood Avenue, Tonawanda, NY 14217​"Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, author of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, this musical chronicles the life of Claus (oconnellandcompany.com) (716-848-0800)

Handel’s MESSIAH (note venue!) presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Chorus at St. Mary's, December 5 at 2:30 pm at St. Mary’s Swormville, 6919 Transit Road, East Amherst, NY Tickets are not available through the BPO Box Office this year. Tickets can be purchased at bpchorus.org or by calling 716-980-5701.

VANESSA WILLIAMS Holiday Concert with The Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra, Tuesday, December 7 at 7:30 pm Kleinhans Music Hall 3 Symphony Circle, Buffalo (bpo.org) (716-885-5000) Television, film and Broadway's Vanessa Williams sings holiday favorites along with Broadway show tunes. An Emmy, Grammy, and Tony nominee with 7 NAACP Image Awards and 3 Satellite Awards, her “Colors of the Wind” from Disney’s Pocahontas went platinum. Williams is a strong advocate for equal rights, especially concerning the LGBTQ+ community and minorities.

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2021 Theater TalkWBFO Arts & Culture DeskArtie AwardsAnthony ChaseAmy JakielCharmagne ChiD'Youville CollegeDr. Lorrie ClemoWBFO News
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”).
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  • What a cast in MusicalFare's WHITE CHRISTMAS at Shea's 710
    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.
  • Zoe Jensen as Glinda, Jessie Davidson as Elphaba, and the National Touring Company of WICKED at Shea's
    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.
  • In THIRST at the ICTC - Kai Crumley as Cathleen and Aleks Malejs as Bridget
    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.