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.
