Épisodes

  • Theater Talk: Anthony reads Elizabeth Ashley's memoir, has some Broadway insights, and talks of openings, including a quick run-through of this very, very busy local opening weekend

    Theater Talk: Anthony reads Elizabeth Ashley's memoir, has some Broadway insights, and talks of openings, including a quick run-through of this very, very busy local opening weekend
    Jan 16 2026
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony talks about reading a gift copy of Elizabeth Ashley's 1978 memoir "Actress: Postcards from the Road," leading to thoughts of a current equally "bankable" Broadway star, Laurie Metcalf, who will be appearing with Nathan Lane in DEATH OF A SALESMAN starting in April . Also coming to Broadway this early spring are EVERY BRILLIANT THING starring Daniel Radcliffe; Andrew Lloyd Weber's reimagined CATS: THE JELLICLE BALL (to star André De Shields and Buffalo's Dudney Joseph, Jr.); and French Canadian Céline Dion's jukebox musical titled TITANIQUE. Meanwhile, local openings this week include MAMMA MIA! (2nd Gen at Shea's 710); First Look will open with a new play, PRESERVATION by Deborah Yarchun (author of THE ALEPH COMPLEX seen at the Alleyway); and Post Industrial Productions opens with BLOOD ON LINOLEUM OR RETAIL HORROR, a new play by local playwright Ian Downes; Sean Ryan is in RENT in Lockport, and for a great musical sendup, O'Connell & Co. opens with SHREK, THE MUSICAL. PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    5 min
  • Theater Talk: Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's, funny!, great food, and the only show in town, then next week theaters explode with MAMMA MIA! , PRESERVATION, SHREK, LADY DAY, and Sean Ryan (the actor, not the mayor) stars in RENT. Click through for listings through February. And Anthony has a bittersweet story about a favorite Manhattan restaurant closing and a meal with Veanne Cox.

    Theater Talk: Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's, funny!, great food, and the only show in town, then next week theaters explode with MAMMA MIA! , PRESERVATION, SHREK, LADY DAY, and Sean Ryan (the actor, not the mayor) stars in RENT. Click through for listings through February. And Anthony has a bittersweet story about a favorite Manhattan restaurant closing and a meal with Veanne Cox.
    Jan 9 2026
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note only one show up locally, Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY, closing this weekend at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga - "Gateway to Depew"). Next week's openings include MAMMA MIA! starring Michele Marie Roberts, Kelly Copps, and Broadway’s Bethany Moore (as close as we're ever going to get to Gwen Verdon). First Look will open with PRESERVATION by Deborah Yarchun (author of THE ALEPH COMPLEX seen at the Alleyway). The very busy Sean Ryan (the red-headed actor, not the mayor) will star in RENT at the Lockport Palace Theatre. But there's so much more! SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    5 min
  • Theater Talk: Notable passings in 2025 and Anthony sees LIBERATION at the James Earl Jones Theatre in NYC

    Theater Talk: Notable passings in 2025 and Anthony sees LIBERATION at the James Earl Jones Theatre in NYC
    Jan 2 2026
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter look back on some notable passings for 2025. These include Saul Elkin (founder of both the Jewish Repertory Theater and Shakespeare in Delaware Park) and Vincent O'Neill (founder of the Irish Classical Theatre), both teachers who left behind a legacy of many, many local actors. Also, playwright Kathy Betsko Yale, actors Christopher Standart, and, tragically, Hugh Davis and Mickey Harmon (actor and activist). Also, Anthony went to NYC to the James Earl Jones Theatre to see LIBERATION by Bess Wohl (up through Feb 1). There's only one show up in Buffalo this early January, Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing through January 11 at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    5 min
  • Theater Talk: An extended conversation with Edesia Moreno Barata, director/choreographer for Cirque du Soleil's 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE (at Shea's through 12/28). See listings also for A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Alleyway and BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's.

    Theater Talk: An extended conversation with Edesia Moreno Barata, director/choreographer for Cirque du Soleil's 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE (at Shea's through 12/28). See listings also for A CHRISTMAS CAROL at Alleyway and BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's.
    Dec 26 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter feature a conversation with Edesia Moreno Barata, formerly on an Olympic team, with Cirque du Soleil for 27 years, now director and choreographer of Cirque's 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE, a 90-minute, non-stop holiday special at Shea's through 12/28, really fun (and jaw-dropping) for all ages (six shows left). Next door at the Alleyway, also a visual treat, the new A CHRISTMAS CAROL, has five more shows. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing into January at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS. SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS BELOW. Yes! Do it! Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    13 min
  • Theater Talk: Last weekend for many fine shows, see listings below, and some fine memories of recent outings. Still up past Christmas, Cirque's 'TWAS THE NIGHT at Shea's, BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's, and the new CHRISTMAS CAROL at Alleyway, but you can still see Neal Radice's traditional A CHRISTMAS CAROL one day only, Saturday 12/20, at Warren Enters (not Rockwell)!

    Theater Talk: Last weekend for many fine shows, see listings below, and some fine memories of recent outings. Still up past Christmas, Cirque's 'TWAS THE NIGHT at Shea's, BLACK COMEDY at Desiderio's, and the new CHRISTMAS CAROL at Alleyway, but you can still see Neal Radice's traditional A CHRISTMAS CAROL one day only, Saturday 12/20, at Warren Enters (not Rockwell)!
    Dec 19 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter remind everyone of some good shows, almost (but not) all of which close this weekend (see listings). 'TWAS THE NIGHT BEFORE is a one-act holiday special by Cirque de Soleil at Shea's through 12/18. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing into January at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). Neal Radice's "traditional" A CHRISTMAS CAROL is still available after more than 40+ years, at the Warren Enters Theatre on the Buff State campus. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS. SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS BELOW.SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS Yes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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,…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    6 min
  • Theater Talk: It's the most wonderful time... for great theater! WHITE CHRISTMAS wows at Shea's 710 with a stellar cast and Kristy Cavanagh's choreography. Get up to Kenan for a metatheatrical CHRISTMAS CAROL... so good. See listings below.

    Theater Talk: It's the most wonderful time... for great theater! WHITE CHRISTMAS wows at Shea's 710 with a stellar cast and Kristy Cavanagh's choreography. Get up to Kenan for a metatheatrical CHRISTMAS CAROL... so good. See listings below.
    Dec 12 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter take a few extra minutes because the shows are so good. There are five (5) CHRISTMAS CAROLs this weekend, including the traditional (43 years!) version by Neal Radice (with David Mitchell) at Buff State, a new version with Daniel Lendzian at The Alleyway, a version starring Stan Klimecko at the Kenan Center, the Tim Carroll version at Shaw, and Mike Randall at the Kavinoky. There are two (2) WHITE CHRISTMAS shows: MusicalFare's at Shea's 710 (fabulous choreography by Kristy E. Cavanagh) and one at Shaw. FANCY NANCY'S SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS continues at Theatre of Youth, CONCRETE CHRISTMAS opens at ART, and Bellissima continues with CARRIE. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGSSCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL LISTINGS Yes! Do it! Click through then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    7 min
  • Theater Talk: NYC all decked out for the holidays, Chenoweth and Ruff always good to see, back home we have five A CHRISTMAS CAROLs, two WHITE CHRISTMASES, and at Shea's, a Neglia/BPO NUTCRACKER.

    Theater Talk: NYC all decked out for the holidays, Chenoweth and Ruff always good to see, back home we have five A CHRISTMAS CAROLs, two WHITE CHRISTMASES, and at Shea's, a Neglia/BPO NUTCRACKER.
    Dec 5 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony, just back from NYC, loved the storefronts and all the holiday glamour that is New York at Christmas, plus he saw Buffalo's Roslyn Ruff in KYOTO, and later Kristen Chenoweth in THE QUEEN OF VERSAILLES, where, even knowing that the show would close in early January, she gave it 100%. (By the way, the BTPM bus trip in January has replaced it with the 2025 Tony Award Best Musical MAYBE HAPPY ENDING.) And, Anthony reports that OPERATION MINCEMEAT (also on the January 2026 bus trip) is very funny. Back home, we have at least five (5) A CHRISTMAS CAROLs, including the traditional (43 years!) version by Neal Radice (with David Mitchel) at Buff State, a new version with Daniel Lendzian at The Alleyway, and another version starring Stan Klimecko at the Kenan Center. And the Tim Carroll version is at Shaw, and Mike Randall at various locations. MusicalFare's WHITE CHRISTMAS just opened at Shea's 710, and FANCY NANCY'S SPLENDIFEROUS CHRISTMAS opens at Theatre of Youth, as does the BPO and Neglia Ballet's annual Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER. And for good dinner theater, see Peter Schaffer's BLACK COMEDY, continuing at Desiderio's (at Bobby J's Italian Grill in Cheektowaga). Whew! That's a lot of choices. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE THE COMPLETE LOCAL 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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    5 min
  • Theater Talk: Theater excellence abounds with so many good actors! WICKED through this weekend at Shea's, MR. WOLF through 12/14, Neglia/BPO's NUTCRACKER next weekend. See complete listings.

    Theater Talk: Theater excellence abounds with so many good actors! WICKED through this weekend at Shea's, MR. WOLF through 12/14, Neglia/BPO's NUTCRACKER next weekend. See complete listings.
    Nov 28 2025
    This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the cultural phenomenon that is WICKED, still at Shea's through 11/30. And the movie WICKED FOR GOOD is good, too, with "eye-popping visuals." Good for children and adults as will be the annual NUTCRACKER, at Shea's next weekend (12/5-7). Great local productions lately, including Ronan Noone's THIRST, which was at Irish Classical, and, still up through 12/14, Rajiv Joseph's MR. WOLF at Road Less Traveled.SCROLL DOWN TO SEE COMPLETE LOCAL 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…
    Afficher plus Afficher moins
    5 min