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Theater Talk: WNY native Neil Haskell on his role as King George in HAMILTON at Shea's

WNY native Neil Haskell sings the role of King George III in the national tour of HAMILTON currently at Shea's
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WNY native Neil Haskell sings the role of King George III in the national tour of HAMILTON currently at Shea's

WNY native Neil Haskell went to Clarence High School, attended David DeMarie Dance Studio in Clarence, and was in various Broadway roles as an ensemble dancer when he was asked to be a swing as HAMILTON moved from off-Broadway to the Richard Rodgers Theatre. As a swing he had to be able to "cover" the six individual male ensemble roles ("tracks") in HAMILTON. All the while he coveted the role he has now and kept taking voice lessons for that eventuality. It's quite a story, as you'll hear.

CONTINUING IN BUFFALO:

A CHRISTMAS CAROL, play with caroling, based on the short story by Charles Dickens, 39th Annual Production, adapted and directed by Neal Radice, December 3-23, Thursdays and Fridays at 7:30, Saturdays and Sundays at 2:00 and 5:00 at The Alleyway Theatre, 1 Curtain up Alley (just north of Shea's), Buffalo, NY 14202

(716-852-2600) alleyway.com

HAMILTON, Dec 14, 2021-Jan 2, 2022 (a three week run!) Tuesday - Friday at 7:30 pm, Saturday at 2:00 and 8:00, Sunday at 1:00 and 6:30 (performances on Christmas Day, New Year's Eve, and New Year's Day but NO PERFORMANCE CHRISTMAS EVE DECEMBER 24.) Shea's Performing Arts Center, 650 Main St. Buffalo (716-847-1410) Sheas.org.

OPENINGS: Nothing until January, 2022

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”).
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  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about “Anecdotes & Stories from the Theater” at the Shaw Festival when Anthony had a fun-filled conversation with director Philip Akin, and actors Fiona Byrne and Neil Barclay. And he's been invited back next year! After the discussion, they went to the nearby Jackie Maxwell Theatre for a preview of BLUES FOR AN ALABAMA SKY with the director, Kimberly Rampersad, filling in last minute with script in hand. Again, a reminder that the Chautauqua Theater Company is premiering C.A. Johnson's play THE WITNESSES, as well as the CTC's New Play Workshop presenting BEST FOR BABY Sat- Sun 8/16-17. Anthony visited his friend, Broadway actor Veanne Cox, who is in on the ground floor of the development of three potential Broadway shows: a musical version of MR. HOLLAND'S OPUS, a version of "Summer Stock" to be called GET HAPPY (after one of the shows most famous songs), and, saving the best (or wildest) for last, a jukebox musical using the plot of Henry Fielding's novel "Tom Jones" using songs by the Welsh pop singer Tom Jones, to be called WHAT'S NEW PUSSYCAT.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.
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