Épisodes

  • Grant O’Brien on Making Classical Music Accessible, One Free Concert at a Time

    Grant O’Brien on Making Classical Music Accessible, One Free Concert at a Time
    Jun 18 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Grant O’Brien, the inaugural JoAnn Falletta Conducting Fellow with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra. Grant O’Brien is a conductor known for imaginative programming, dynamic performances, and a commitment to making orchestral music accessible to broad audiences. He previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonville Symphony and Augusta Symphony, leading a wide range of family, education, pops, film, and community engagement concerts. His credits also include conducting live-to-picture performances of [...]
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    23 min
  • Kevin Cirone on Cinematic Writing, Sherlock Holmes, and the Art of the New Play

    Kevin Cirone on Cinematic Writing, Sherlock Holmes, and the Art of the New Play
    Jun 2 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kevin Cirone, playwright of His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir at Alleyway Theatre. Kevin Cirone is a playwright and Kennedy Center Playwriting alumnus whose work has entertained audiences across New England, New York, and beyond for over 20 years, with productions at the Huntington Theater Company, New York International Fringe Festival, Moonbox Theater Company, and multiple Boston Theater Marathon selections. His play, His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir, won [...]
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    25 min
  • Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing With the BPO

    Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing With the BPO
    Apr 27 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Leslie Odom, Jr. Leslie Odom, Jr. is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, Emmy- and Oscar-nominated actor, songwriter, and New York Times bestselling author, best known for originating Aaron Burr in Hamilton. He returned to the role in September 2025 to record-breaking box office success, and also earned acclaim and a Tony nomination for producing and starring in Purlie Victorious. His film and TV work includes portraying Sam Cooke in [...]
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    16 min
  • The Necessity of Joy: Douglas Lyons on the importance of joy and chosen family

    The Necessity of Joy: Douglas Lyons on the importance of joy and chosen family
    Apr 23 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with playwright Douglas Lyons and cast members Michael ‘Bebe’ Blasdell and Matthew Crehan Higgins about Second Generation Theatre Company’s production of Pure Glitter. Douglas Lyons is a two-time Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate artist whose Broadway debut play Chicken and Biscuits earned a GLAAD nomination and became one of the most-produced plays in America in 2022–23. His other works include Table 17 and Beau: The Musical. In addition to writing for Apple TV’s [...]
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    28 min
  • Dinner Party at the End of the World: a Conversation with Kristoffer Díaz

    Dinner Party at the End of the World: a Conversation with Kristoffer Díaz
    Apr 7 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kristoffer Díaz about his play Things with Friends, now playing at Alleyway Theatre. Kristoffer Díaz is a playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and educator whose work often blends sharp social insight with kinetic, character‑driven storytelling. His play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for Drama and has been widely produced across the country. He most recently wrote the book for the Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, [...]
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    31 min
  • Barry Privett of Carbon Leaf on 30 Years of Music and Why Live Shows Matter More Than Ever

    Barry Privett of Carbon Leaf on 30 Years of Music and Why Live Shows Matter More Than Ever
    Apr 2 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Barry Privett, lead singer of the band Carbon Leaf. Formed in 1992, Carbon Leaf is a Virginia-based band known for blending rock, folk, and Celtic influences into a signature sound. Over three decades, they’ve released numerous albums, toured extensively, and built a devoted fan base. Their latest release, Time is the Playground, continues to showcase their knack for storytelling and rich, melodic songwriting. Carbon Leaf is coming to Buffalo [...]
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    36 min
  • Gotham Comes to Kleinhans: James Olmstead on Batman in Concert

    Gotham Comes to Kleinhans: James Olmstead on Batman in Concert
    Mar 4 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with James Olmstead. James Olmstead is a Broadway and symphonic music director, arranger, and orchestrator known for his work on both stage and concert productions. He specializes in creating live orchestral arrangements of iconic film scores, combining precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of complex musical textures. Olmstead arranged the Danny Elfman score for Tim Burton’s Batman: In Concert, presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on March 14, 2026, at [...]
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    19 min
  • Danté Williams on Building Platforms Without Boundaries

    Danté Williams on Building Platforms Without Boundaries
    Jan 30 2026
    On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Dante Williams, host of the No Label Podcast. Dante Williams, an East Side Buffalo native and versatile creative, has built a career blending music, art, fashion, and media, co-creating the respected No Label The Podcast with Nelson Clark. He also runs his own production company, Beyond Prolific Productions, and contributes regularly to NYC-based BLEU Magazine’s content production. No Label on INSPIRATION is an immersive cultural event at Legacy House [...]
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    17 min