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Theater Talk

Theater Talk: ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at LOH, first professional WNY production in 20 years; Ibsen plays appeal to GenZ, 2nd Gen hosts new play reading of Douglas Lyons PURE GLITTER.

By Anthony Chase,
Peter Hall
Published October 11, 2024 at 5:00 AM EDT
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ARSENTIC AND OLD LACE at Lancaster Opera House stars Mary McMahon, Kevin Craig, and Pamela Rose Mangus among many others
Lancaster Opera House
ARSENTIC AND OLD LACE at Lancaster Opera House stars Mary McMahon, Kevin Craig, and Pamela Rose Mangus among many others

This weekend on Theater Talk, Anthony talks about something "old," the play ARSENIC AND OLD LACE at Lancaster Opera House, the first professional production in our area in 20 years. Both Anthony and Peter enjoyed the free reading produced by Second Generation Theater of something "new," the one-act play PURE GLITTER by Douglas Lyons (whose play CHICKEN&BISCUITS premiered on Broadway in 2021). Peter enjoyed last week's production of Henrik Ibsen's A DOLL'S HOUSE at Niagara University, and Anthony notes how his Gen Z students at Buff State are really embracing the plays of Ibsen. Yet to see for both is THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, an ambitious project that opens this weekend at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre.

Monday, January 20 through Friday, January 24, it's another New York City Theater Adventure in January 2025. This exclusive 5-day travel opportunity includes round-trip transportation, select group meals at iconic Manhattan eateries and five fabulous Broadway shows. From your hotel in the heart of Midtown, you’ll also depart to tour theater-related exhibits at the Museum of Broadway and New York Public Library’s Theater on Film and Tape Archive, have time for sightseeing and shopping, and more. Reserve your spot today! Visit https://www.wned.org/ways-to-support/wned-wbfo-tours/new-york-city-theater/ or call Regina Sullivan at 716-630-3731 or email rsullivan@nyaaa.com The planned 5 theater performances are SWEPT AWAY, SUNSET BLVD, HELL'S KITCHEN, THE OUTSIDERS, THE GREAT GATSBY.

Check out Anthony's reviews and the latest edition of Javier's "On the Boards" at theatertalkbuffalo.com for more details!

Peter's reviews appear in Buffalo Rising (buffalorising.com).

COVID and the flu are still affecting theatrical performers (and audiences!) so it's worth getting the latest COVID booster readily available at pharmacies everywhere. Did you know that, for your convenience, you can get your COVID booster AND your flu shot simultaneously, and if your age qualifies, you can also get your RSV vaccine with those other two. After Anthony told Peter that he "doubled up" then Peter "tripled up" and you can too!

LOCAL LISTINGS ARE PRESENTED AS FOLLOWS: CLOSINGS (last chances to see these plays), then OPENINGS, followed by CONTINUING, followed by COMING IN SEPTEMBER. Within the categories, shows are alphabetical by title, with any show starting with "The" under the letter "T."

CLOSINGS THIS WEEKEND:

SHIPWRECKED: An Entertainment — The Amazing Adventures of Louis de Rougemont (as Told by Himself), a play by Donald Margulies, directed by John Hurley, starring Gregory Gjurich, Jeremy Kreuzer, and Gabriella McKinley. 9/13 - 10/13 Thu - Sat 7:30, Sun 2:00 presented by Road Less Traveled Productions, 456 Main Street 716-629-3069 roadlesstraveledprductions.org

SHIPWRECKED PUBLICITY BLURB: The adventurous Louis de Rougemont invites you to hear his amazing story of bravery, survival and celebrity that left nineteenth-century England spellbound. Dare to be whisked away in a story of the high seas, populated by exotic islanders, flying wombats, giant sea turtles and a monstrous man-eating octopus. Shipwrecked! examines how far we’re willing to blur the line between fact and fiction in order to leave our mark on the world.

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THE SHAW FESTIVAL will continue with Lerner & Loewe's MY FAIR LADY through 12/22 (and after it opens on 11/8, A CHRISTMAS CAROL 2024 will also continue through 12/22). But this Canadian Thanksgiving weekend Sunday is the end of the runs of:

AGATHA CHRISTIE'S WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION

ONE MAN, TWO GUVNORS

SHERLOCK HOLMES AND THE MYSTERY OF THE HUMAN HEART

THE SECRET GARDEN

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OPENINGS: (in alphabetical order, plays starting with "The" are under the letter T.)

HAMILTON, the musical by Lyn Manuel Miranda, on a national Broadway tour, presented by Shea's Performing Arts Center. Oct 15 - 27 (16 shows), Tue - Fri 7:30, Sat 2:00 & 8:00, Sun 1:00 & 7:30 at Shea's Buffalo Theatre, 646 Main Street. 716-847-0850 sheas.org

HAMILTON PUBLICITY BLURB: HAMILTON is the epic saga that follows the rise of Founding Father Alexander Hamilton as he fights for honor, love, and a legacy that would shape the course of a nation. Based on Ron Chernow’s acclaimed biography and set to a score that blends hip-hop, jazz, R&B, and Broadway, HAMILTON has had a profound impact on culture, politics, and education. HAMILTON features book, music, and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, direction by Thomas Kail, choreography by Andy Blankenbuehler, and musical supervision and orchestrations by Alex Lacamoire. In addition to its 11 Tony Awards, it has won Grammy®, Olivier Awards, the Pulitzer Prize for Drama, and an unprecedented special citation from the Kennedy Center Honors.

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NOTE: PIPPIN, which was to open this week at O'Connell & Co., has been postponed to the Spring of 2025, where it is said to replace KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN.

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THE BREAK SONG, a play by Mark Humphrey, a world premiere, directed by Monish Bhattacharyya, starring Robert Humphrey and Vincenzo McNeill. Presented by the American Repertory Theater of WNY, 10/10 - 10/26, Thu - Fri 7:30, Saturday 5:00 at the Compass Performing Arts Factory (the home of ART of WNY) 545 Elmwood Avenue, Buffalo NY 14222. (716) 697-0837 www.artofwny.org

THE BREAK SONG PUBLICITY BLURB: Featuring Robert Humphrey and Vincenzo McNeill, this dialog cocktail centers on two Jazz musicians at different points of their careers. But when one has to decide between being hungry and cold for another winter, choices need to be made. Director Bhattacharyya said: “The Break Song is a story of contrasts: youth and age, ambition and contentment, hope and disillusionment.” “Through the lives of Junction and Joe, we are reminded of the often delicate and complicated balance between dreams and reality, and how music—like life—can lift us up or leave us longing”.

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THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION, a play, adapted for the stage from Stephen King’s classic novella by Dave Johns and Owen O’Neill, directed by Jay Desiderio, starring Kinzy Brown, Brian Tabak, John Profeta, Lawrence Gregory Smith, Geno Delmaro, John Kennedy, Nate Chateaux, Daniel J. Greer, Andrew Salamone, Billy Horn Altamirano & Andrew Canada. 10/10 - 12/01 Shows run most Thursdays, Saturdays, Sundays & some Wednesdays (Sundays and some Saturdays are matinee performances) Evening dinners 6:00 shows at 7:30, Matinees dinner 1:00 shows at 2:30. Presented by Desiderio's Dinner Theatre. Visit website mybobbyjs.com or call 716-395-3207 for exact times and dates. At BOBBY J’S 204 Como Park Blvd. Cheektowaga NY, 14227 (716) 395-3207 mybobbyjs.com

THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION PUBLICITY BLURB: The Shawshank Redemption brings the story of resilience made famous by the acclaimed film turned-play to the Desiderio stage. When Andy Dufresne is wrongfully convicted of murder and sentenced to life in the notorious Shawshank prison, he must find a way to keep himself and his hope alive by using his wits and forging friendships. Based on the novella by Stephen King, The Shawshank Redemption illustrates the physical, mental and emotional toughness needed to attain a goal no matter what obstacles are thrown in your way.

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CONTINUING: (in alphabetical order, plays starting with "The" are under the letter T.)

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE, a comedy by Joseph Kesselring, directed by Peter Palmisano, starring R.J. Voltz, Mary McMahon, Pamela Rose Mangus, Don Gervasi, Kevin Craig, Rich Kraemer, Anne Roaldi Boucher, David C. Mitchell, and many more. 10/4 - 10/20 Fri - Sat 7:30, Sun 2:30, presented by Lancaster Opera House, 21 Central Avenue

Lancaster, NY 14086. (716) 683-1776, Lancasteropera.org

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE PUBLICITY BLURB: Mortimer Brewster’s engagement announcement is upended when he discovers a corpse in his elderly aunt’s window seat. Mortimer rushes to tell Abby and Martha before they stumble upon the body themselves, only to learn that the two old women aren’t just aware of the dead man in their parlor, they killed him! With “crazy family” shenanigans and at least two meanings of the expression “cold feet,” it’ll be a miracle if Mortimer makes it to his wedding in this classic, macabre comedy.

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POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, a play by Selina Fillinger, directed by Kate Powers, starring Arin Lee Dandes, Shannell Dixon, Vernia Sharisse Garvin, Lisa Ludwig, Alek Malejs, Camilla Maxwell, Maria Pedro. 10/ 4 - 10/20

Thur - Fri 7:30, Sat 3:30, Sun 2:00. Presented by D’Youville Kavinoky Theatre, 320 Porter Ave. (Entrance on Prospect Ave) Buffalo, NY 14201 (716) 829-7668 kavinokytheatre.com

POTUS PUBLICITY BLURB: What happens when seven women have to fix one VERY big mistake made by the leader of the free world? Hilarity ensues! Don’t miss the side-splitting, feminist farce that took Broadway by storm. With biting humor and a hilariously no-nonsense cast, this is the political comedy we’ve all been waiting for!

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OPENING LATER THIS OCTOBER:

HMS PINAFORE, an operetta by Gilbert and Sullivan, directed by Ciaran Krueger (music) and Lisa Berglund (stage), starring Christopher Castleman, Ted Smeltz, Debbie Smith, Michael Warner, and many others. 10/18 - 10/27 (two weekends) Fri - Sat 7:30, Sun 2:00. Presented by OperaLytes at the Amherst Community Church, 77 Washington Hwy, Amherst, NY 14226. (860) 857-5792, operalytes.com

HMS PINAFORE PUBLICITY BLURB: Gilbert and Sullivan's irresistible comic operetta celebrates—and lampoons—British nationalism, with passionate duets, rattling patter songs, anthems, and hornpipes. The story is simple: Ambitious Captain Corcoran (Michael Warner) wants his daughter to marry Sir Joseph Porter (Ted Smeltz), but Josephine (Debbie Smith) has fallen in love with common sailor Ralph Rackstraw (Christopher Castleman). Will she obey her heart, or her father? Will Ralph propose, or will Sir Joseph?

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REMEMBER THIS: THE LEGEND OF JAN KARSKI, a play by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, directed by Robert Waterhouse, starring David Lundy.

10/31 - 11/24, Thu 7:30, Sat 3:30 and 7:30, Sun 2:00 (no Friday performances for Shabbat). Presented by the Jewish Repertory Theatre in the Maxine and Robert Seller Theatre 2640 N. Forest Road Amherst, NY 14068 716.688.4114 x309 jccbuffalo.org

REMEMBER THIS PUBLICITY BLURB: JRT favorite David Lundy gives a tour-de-force performance as Jan Karski in this genre-defying true story of a reluctant World War II hero and Holocaust witness. After surviving the devastation of the Blitzkrieg, Karski swears allegiance to the Polish Underground and risks his life to carry the first eyewitness reports of war-torn Poland to the Western world and, ultimately, the Oval Office. Escaping a Gestapo prison, bearing witness to the despair of the Warsaw Ghetto and confronted by the inhumanity of a death camp, Karski endures unspeakable mental anguish and physical torture to stand tall in the halls of power and speak the truth. This beautiful and touching new work captures the complexity and legacy of this self-described "insignificant, little man" whose timely story of moral courage and individual responsibility can still shake the conscience of the world. JRT is honored to present the highly exclusive regional premiere of this timely and essential new show.

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SHEA'S BUFFALO 2024 - 2025 season

HAMILTON (16 shows), Oct 15 - 27

& JULIET (8 shows), Nov 19 - 24

THE LION KING (24 shows), Dec 18, 2024 - Jan 5, 2025

THE WIZ (8 shows), Mar 4 - 9, 2025

SHUCKED (8 shows), Mar 25 - 30, 2025

A BEAUTIFUL NOISE, THE NEIL DIAMOND MUSICAL (8 shows), Apr 8 - 13, 2025

BACK TO THE FUTURE: THE MUSICAL (8 shows), Jun 24 - 29, 2025

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Theater Talk 2024 WBFO Arts & Culture DeskTheater Talk
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
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  • A GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING L-R Sydney Contrad, Anthony Alcocer, Heather Holden
    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.
  • In THE BOOK OF WILL, at Road Less Traveled Productions, a scene that could be a painting by Engish painter William Hogarth
    Theater Talk: THE BOOK OF WILL CONTINUES at RLTP, Tom Dudzik on two stages, Last weekend at Shawfest, Openings include NOTEBOOK at Shea's, GRAND NIGHT FOR SINGING at Kenan, YOUNG FRANKENSTEIN at Shea's 710. See listings!
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about THE BOOK OF WILL, the last of the 2025 Curtain Up! openings, which continues at Road Less Traveled Productions through 10.19. It's almost "Tom Dudzik month" (referring to the OVER THE TAVERN playwright) with 3 shorts at Desiderio's Dinner Theater and THE GODS OF PADEREWSKI DRIVE to open at American Repertory Theater (545 Elmwood Ave) on 10/9. Buffalo's Stephen McKinley Henderson to star in a new documentary titled "This Place Matters! Ten Chimneys" set to premiere on Monday, October 6, at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre in New York City, celebrating the lives and legacy of the “first couple of the Broadway stage” Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. 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.