This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about Terry Guest's OAK, a deep south ghost story at the Alleyway (and the author himself talks about his roots). CONSCIENCE at Jewish Repertory Theatre is very timely about the demagogue Joe McCarthy who was held to account by Maine's Margaret Chase Smith, with super performances by Josie DiVincenzo, David Mitchell, Anna Krempholtz, and Nick Stevens. It's the last weekend for URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre continues to be hilarious with choreography by Kristy Cavanagh. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE 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.

This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM by local playwright Bela Poynton, COME FROM AWAY as MusicalFare starts its season at its new home in Shea's 710 Theatre, URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre, and look forward to Alleyway's OAK by the author of MAGNOLIA BALLET (seen previously at the Alleyway) and CONSCIENCE at Jewish Repertory Theatre. To see complete listings, click the link "Theater Talk: So much talent...." above. Then scroll through to see complete listings of what's on stage!Yes! 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.

This week on Theater Talk Anthony and Peter talk about your last chances to see three plays which close this weekend: BITE ME, an intense two-hander set in a high school, NIGHT WATCH by Lucille Fletcher (of SORRY WRONG NUMBER fame), and GODS OF PADEREWSKI DRIVE by local favorite Tom Dudzick. In between, Anthony found time to see the new movie version of KISS OF THE SPIDER WOMAN starring Jennifer Lopez, et. al. And there are four (4) good openings: COME FROM AWAY as MusicalFare starts its season at Shea's 710 Theatre, URINETOWN (where you have to "pay to pee") produced by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith Theatre, THE GIRL IN THE WASHROOM (ghost hunters then and now) by local playwright Bela Poynton, and OAK with teenagers, a shotgun, and a swamp monster by the author of MAGNOLIA BALLET (seen previously at the Alleyway). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LISTINGSYes! Do it! Click through 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony recounts to Peter his recent trip down to see family in Maryland, a trip that came with three theatrical delights. First, Anthony went to the updated DAMN YANKEES at the Arena Stage in Washington, D.C., featuring new lyrics by Lynn Ahrens. The action moves from the Washington Senators to the Baltimore Orioles, set in the year 2000. Joe Hardy is now a Black Orioles fan whose father was a standout in the Negro Leagues. His quest isn’t just about baseball glory, it’s about fulfilling a dream denied to his father due to racial discrimination. Female characters are given more depth, and the team is racially diverse. The family took in a puppet show (75 puppets!) bringing Eric Carle's THE VERY HUNGRY CATERPILLAR and several other children's books to the stage. And back home, "Uncle Tony's" niece put on a show, complete with box office, tickets, and a one-person recreation of the caterpillar story to a sold-out house. Anthony's observation was that she had put more thought into the box office than the production, but wished that more local theaters put more thought into their ticketing and lobby experiences. Click through to see complete listings of what's on stage!Yes! Do it! Click through 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.

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.

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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter look forward to Buffalo's Michele Ragusa, a Broadway star, coming home to sing with Jay Dref and the BPO, one night only, tomorrow, Saturday September 27 at 7:30. (Listen to last week's 9/19 episode for more.) Last chances for good shows closing this weekend: DREAMGIRLS at Shea's 710, OR, (that's the name of the play), at Irish Classical, and THE COTTAGE at The Alleyway. Also, THE LAST CROISSANT (BUA at ART). THE BOOK OF WILL continues at Road Less Traveled Productions. 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk with a special guest, Buffalo's Michele Ragusa, a Broadway star, coming home to sing with Jay Dref and the BPO, one night only, Saturday September 27 at 7:30. (Michele advises get your tickets only through bpo.org.) They also talk about Curtain Up! tonight! This Friday, September 19 and the street party on Main Street at 10 pm with audiences spilling out from THE OUTSIDERS at Shea's, THE COTTAGE at The Alleyway, OR, at Irish Classical, DREAMGIRLS at Shea's 710, and THE BOOK OF WILL at Road Less Traveled Productions. Away from Main, THE LAST CROISSANT with BUA is at the Compass PAC, GODSPELL closes at Ujima, and short plays by Tom Dudzik continue at Desiderios. 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the installation of local favorite Anne Gayley's star on the plaza of the stars (in front of Shea's 710) Monday 9/15 at 5:30, in advance of Curtain Up! (this year Friday, September 19) where the street party at 10pm should be grand with THE OUTSIDERS touring Shea's. GODSPELL at Ujima Co. proved to be a high-energy affair, as was DREAMGIRLS (SaxonAnsari Productions), and a modern play, a fast-paced historical fiction about the 1660s Restoration playwright Aphra Behn, and THE LAST CROISSANT with BUA at the Compass PAC. Three short plays by Buffalo's Tom Dudzick continue at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre. 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the current season opening well in advance of Curtain Up! (this year Friday, September 19). There's GODSPELL at Ujima Co., DREAMGIRLS (SaxonAnsari Productions), Tom Dudziks three short plays at Desiderio's in Cheektowaga, THE COTTAGE (a farce) at The Alleway, and a modern play, an historical fiction about the 1660s Restoration playwright Aphra Behn, and THE LAST CROISSANT with BUA at the Compass PAC. 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.