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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: MARGARITAVILLE at Shea's, LOOPED at New Phoenix, RENT at Shea's 710 and, one night only, Emily Yancey stars in the opera SUSANNAH on WNED-TV

By Anthony Chase,
Peter Hall
Published November 19, 2021 at 5:00 AM EST
Ways To Subscribe
SUSANNAH, opera by Carlisle Floyd, on WNED PBS Monday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m., stars Emily Yancey.
Eileen Elibol
/
WNED PBS
Emily Yancey in the title role of SUSANNAH, an opera by Carlisle Floyd, on WNED PBS Monday, Nov. 22 at 9 p.m. streaming online at wned.org

On Theater Talk this week, Anthony and Peter found "MARGARITAVILLE" at Shea's to be a not-too-serious Jukebox musical based on 25 songs by Jimmy Buffett. Depending on the weather, wearing beach attire to the theater is totally acceptable here. Meanwhile, LOOPED at New Phoenix Theatre dramatizes an 8 hour recording session that should have taken just 8 minutes with the notoriously difficult and raunchy star of stage and screen, Tallulah Bankhead, in this play starring Julie Kittsley alongside recent Artie Award winner ("Outstanding Actor") James Cichocki. Founded in December 2017 by Drew Fornarola, "Starring Buffalo" was designed to make a Buffalo-Broadway connection and to provide top-quality musical theater locally. Tonight and tomorrow Starring Broadway brings RENT to Shea's 710 with a blend of up and coming Broadway stars and an A-Team of Buffalo talent. And, speaking of talent, one night only, Emily Yancey stars in the opera SUSANNAH on WNED-TV, Monday, November 22 at 9pm. It will also stream at wned.org. This is Yancey's third role with Buffalo Opera Unlimited.

SUSANNAH is an opera in two acts by the American composer Carlisle Floyd, characterized by Appalachian folk melodies, some Protestant hymns, and some traditional classical music. The story focuses on 18-year-old Susannah Polk, an innocent girl in Tennessee, who is targeted as a sinner by the Reverend Blitch, who himself has sinful thoughts. The opera premiered in 1999 at the Metropolitan Opera premiere with Renée Fleming singing the title role. Susannah is one of the most performed American operas, second to Porgy and Bess, and contains many feminist themes that had not been widely explored in popular culture at the time of the opera's writing.

CLOSINGS THIS WEEKEND INCLUDE:

Jimmy Buffett's 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).

GOLDEN GIRLS LOST EPISODES: VOLUME 2 at the Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain Up Alley (next to Shea's) November 4 - 21 alleyway.com 716-852-2600 Thursday - Sunday 7:30, some Saturday and Sunday matinees have been added to accommodate sold-out nights.

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.

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)

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

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)

CONTINUING:

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 musicalfare.com

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.

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

STILL TO COME OPENINGS IN NOVEMBER (listed by date)

THE HAUNTING OF HOOVERTON HOTEL, a new play by Joseph Spears, a free reading, directed by Doug Weyand, November 22, 2021 at 7pm, presented by Second Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre, 658 Main St. Buffalo

SUSANNAH, an American opera, by Carlisle Floyd, marks Emily Yancey's third role with Buffalo Opera Unlimited. Watch, Monday, November 22 at 9 pm, on WNED-PBS/Channel 17 or online stream via their website television.

Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER, a full length ballet, 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)

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.

DECEMBER OPENINGS (listed by date):

ELF IN CONCERT, film with live orchestra, December 3. The Buffalo Philharmonic plays the musical score as you watch the original movie starring Will Farrell. Kleinhans Music Hall (716) 885-5000 bpo.org

MIRACLE ON SOUTH DIVISION, play by Tom Dudzik, presented by Lancaster Opera House (December 3 - 19) Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 2:30. (716) 683-1776 (lancasteropera.org) 21 Central Avenue Lancaster, NY 14086

MIRACLE IN LEVITTOWN, play by Michael Fanelli, presented by Subversive Theatre at The New Phoenix Theatre, (December 3 - 19) Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30 pm, Sundays at 3:00. Note: This is NOT a Phoenix production and the start times are at 7:30 pm or 3:00. 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo, NY. Ticket information TBA.

SMART PEOPLE, presented by Ujima (December 3 - December 19) School 77, 429 Plymouth Avenue, 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 Swormville 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.

IN CASE YOU MISSED THE ARTIE AWARDS, HERE ARE THE "OUTSTANDING" WINNERS:

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

https://www.wbfo.org/2021-11-02/artie-awards-celebrated-30th-anniversary-with-wny-theater-community

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

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

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Neal Radice

============

Tags
2021 Theater TalkWBFO Arts & Culture DeskShea's Broadway SeriesShea's 710 TheatreNew Phoenix Theatre
Anthony Chase
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  • Shakespeare in Delaware Park TAMING OF THE SHREW thumbnails
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  • AN OLD FASHIONED FAMILY MURDER stars included L-R Steve Brachmann, Justin A Chortie, and Lisa Pitzonka Hinca
    Theater Talk: Shakespeare in Delaware Park's TAMING OF THE SHREW opens while FOOLS AND FOES continues in local parks (very funny). AN OLD FASHIONED FAMILY MURDER sends up every trope of the detective play at Desiderio's Dinner Theater, and this weekend you can see HADESTOWN (live film capture) in movie theaters.
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about FOOLS AND FOES, the touring production of Shakespeare in the Park (free) going from park to park in the area. The second Main Stage production, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW is now up and at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre it's with AN OLD FASHIONED FAMILY MURDER where Lisa Hinca and Steven J. Brachman excel. HADESTOWN: The Musical arrives in movie theaters as a limited, one week event beginning this Friday, July 24, 2026. This filmed live capture features the original Broadway cast, including André De Shields (who was a guest on Theater Talk). It's up at the four local Regals and the Amherst Theatre. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.CLICK THROUGH OR SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS FOR LOCAL SHOWS, SHAWFEST, STRATFORD, AND SHEA'S TOURING SHOWS.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.
  • FOOLS AND FOES cast (Shakespeare in Delaware Park Touring Show)
    Theater Talk: Anthony's trip to NYC this month and the "Holiday Magic" tour in December. Locally FOOLS AND FOES (Shakespeare in Delaware Park's Touring show) and AN OLD FASHIONED FAMILY MURDER at Desiderio's Dinner Theater.. See listings (which also include Shaw Festival).
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Anthony's recent trip to NYC to see DEATH OF A SALESMAN with Nathan Lane and Laurie Metcalf; RAGTIME at Lincoln Center, and GIULIA: THE POISON QUEEN OF PALERMO at the Perelman Performing Arts Center. Locally FOOLS AND FOES is the touring production of Shakespeare in the Park (free) going from park to park in the area. The next mainstage production will be THE TAMING OF THE SHREW. and Desiderio's Dinner Theatre is presenting AN OLD FASHIONED FAMILY MURDER. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.CLICK THROUGH OR SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS FOR LOCAL SHOWS, SHAWFEST, STRATFORD, AND SHEA'S TOURING SHOWS.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 HEARTBREAK HOUSE at the Shaw Festival Julia Course and Martin Happer
    Theater Talk: Shawfest in Niagara-on-the-Lake presents HEARTBREAK HOUSE which Shaw called his "fantasia in the Russian [Chekhov] manner on English themes.” Tim Carroll directs an all-star cast. Heading to Broadway? Anthony suggests reading the NYTimes and Playbill.com to keep in the know.
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about PERICLES at Shakespeare in Delaware Park, a fun 2 hours picnic with music by Tom Makar. Shawfest in Niagara-on-the-Lake presents HEARTBREAK HOUSE which Shaw called his "fantasia in the Russian [Chekhov] manner on English themes.” Tim Carroll directs that all-star cast. Heading to Broadway? Anthony suggests reading in the NYTimes "The 10 Most Mind-Altering Theater Moments of 2026 (So Far)" by Helen Shaw. Also, check out Playbill.com's schedule of upcoming cast changes as well as "Broadway Real Estate" to see which plays are coming or going. For example, Moulin Rouge will be replaced by PADDINGTON THE MUSICAL in 2027, about a bear "from deepest, darkest Peru!"CLICK THROUGH OR SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS FOR LOCAL SHOWS, SHAWFEST, STRATFORD, AND SHEA'S TOURING SHOWS.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.