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PODCAST

Theater Talk

For 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on BTPM NPR, 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

arts performing arts

All Episodes

5:00

Theater Talk: It's award season! Tony nominations are...

Theater Talk ·

2026/05/22

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the awards season, with Tony nominations out and voting for the 2026 Artie Awards wrapping up. On Monday, June 8, the Arties will return to Babeville. There's a new group of triple-threat young men on stages, including Quinn McGillion and, currently, Glen Chitty in HAIRSPRAY, and Alex Reiser in Bellissima Production's GHOST. Great anticipation is building for THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE, a collaboration of Torn Space and BUA. Jewish Repertory

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8:09

Theater Talk: Anthony is one-upped by his baby...

Theater Talk ·

2026/05/15

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the Buff State Drama Club's Lavender Graduation (for LGBTQ+ students and allies), where Anthony was the speaker while his kid sister, Bobbie Chase, former editor for Marvel and DC comics, was the commencement speaker at the main graduation event. HAIRSPRAY (MusicalFare at Shea's 710) sports a high-energy cast of 22 (see photo) with superb 60's choreography by Eric Deeb Weaver. For a compelling show with a cast of 1 (Jordan Levin) check out

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4:59

Theater Talk: So many shows to choose from!...

Theater Talk ·

2026/05/08

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about HAIRSPRAY (MusicalFare at Shea's 710) starring Louis Colaiacovo as Edna Turnblad; RENT (one matinee only) on the "big" stage at Shea's PAC; CURTAINS, the musical (O'Connell & Co. at Canterbury Woods) a "show within a show" about a "triple threat" (she can't act, can't dance, can't sing) who gets bumped off in Act I; CORDURY for the 3+ set at Theatre of Youth; COMPLETE SHAKESPEARE with three comic virtuosos - Kevin Craig, Brendan Didio, Jeremy

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6:24

Theater Talk: Opera-Lytes' YEOMEN OF THE GUARD by...

Theater Talk ·

2026/05/01

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Opera-Lytes' YEOMEN OF THE GUARD by Gilbert & Sullivan up through this week which might be their best ever; Theater of Youth presents a charming CORDUROY (for 3+); Anthony talks about an event to support Kevin Dees running for the 149th Assembly District with drag performers from Ru Paul's Drag Race; O'Connell to open CURTAINS, a musical by Kander & Ebb.Other shows to note this weekend include GHOST BROTHERS OF DARKLAND COUNTY, a dark musical

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4:50

Theater Talk: R.I.P. Lancaster's David Bondrow;...

Theater Talk ·

2026/04/24

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the sudden passing of David Bondrow, Executive and Artistic Director of The Lancaster Opera House. But as he would have said, "the show must go on" and so THE ODD COUPLE, in which he starred as Oscar Madison, will run as planned through 4/26. Call the box office (716-683-1776) for details. Anthony went down to the prestigious Paper Mill Playhouse in New Jersey to see Buffalo's Jonathan Young perform brilliantly in the musical 1776 as Edward Rutledge

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4:59

Theater Talk: WATER FOR ELEPHANTS at Shea's so...

Theater Talk ·

2026/04/17

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Shea's Broadway tour of WATER FOR ELEPHANTS (great acrobatics); BUA's LAUGHING TROLL CAFE about a children's author (think J.K. Rowling) in an intervention of sorts staged by her characters at 545 Elmwood; an absurdist drama with a stellar cast titled THINGS WITH FRIENDS is up at the Alleyway Theatre; and the absolutely stunning Scottish based musical ISLANDER is wowing audiences at Irish Classical. See listings. Note: David Bondrow, Executive

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5:00

Theater Talk: A conversation with Kristoffer Diaz...

Theater Talk ·

2026/04/10

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter have a conversation with Kristoffer Diaz, whose play THINGS WITH FRIENDS is now open at Alleyway Theatre; in this jam-packed April, including (but not limited to) MusicalFare's continuing with JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR (check out Quinn McGillion as Judas); BUA's LAUGHING TROLL CAFE; Irish Classical's Scottish based ISLANDER, Shea's Broadway tour WATER FOR ELEPHANTS., O'Connell's ALIVE & KICKING. See listings. PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll

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5:00

Theater Talk: 2nd Gen's Broadway Bucket List "best...

Theater Talk ·

2026/04/03

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about the high quality of 2nd Gen's "Broadway Bucket List," a showcase for the large and deep pool of Buffalo talent. MusicalFare's JESUS CHRIST, SUPERSTAR (written when Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber was only 22!) is running at Shea's 710. Next week, BUA's LAUGHING TROLL CAFE has a plot possibly? inspired by J.K. Rowling's controversy with the trans community. Please see the listings.PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings

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5:00

Theater Talk: Excellent AN IRISH PLAY only up tonight...

Theater Talk ·

2026/03/27

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter revel in the excellence of AN IRISH PLAY by Dan O'Brien at American Repertory Theatre in the Compass Performing Arts Center (545 Elmwood) with a fine cast. Only two shows left... tonight at 7:30 and Saturday afternoon at 5:00. You have all of April and a little bit of May to see Eileen Dugan and Peter Palmisano in ON A FIRST NAME BASIS. Please see the listings.PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage

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5:00

Theater Talk: 2023 Tony "Best Musical" KIMBERLY...

Theater Talk ·

2026/03/20

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss the 2023 "Best Musical" Tony-winning KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Shea's, putting the "fun" in "dysfunctional" with first-rate performances through Sunday and music by Jeannine Tesori. Also closing: EXIT STRATEGY at Road Less Traveled. You have a little more time to get to Desiderio's Dinner Theatre for the hilarious ON A FIRST NAME BASIS with two excellent Buffalo actors: Eileen Dugan and Peter Palmisano. PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to

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5:00

Anthony goes to NY, sees ABOUT TIME and TWO STRANGERS...

Theater Talk ·

2026/03/13

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss LUCKY STIFF (well done at Lancaster Opera House, although now closed), GOD OF CARNAGE (2nd Generation at the Smith Theatre), closing this weekend, and EXIT STRATEGY (Road Less Traveled) up through 3/22. Anthony went to NY to see ABOUT TIME, the third in the trilogy revue about the creators Richard Maltby and David Shire (of Buffalo), as well as TWO STRANGERS CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK (a musical which will undoubtably come to Buffalo) and

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5:00

Theater Talk: GOD OF CARNAGE (2nd Gen), DIARY OF A...

Theater Talk ·

2026/03/06

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about GOD OF CARNAGE by Yasmina Reza (2nd Generation at the Smith Theatre) starring two "real life" couples (up through 3/15); DIARY OF A WIMPY KID THE MUSICAL very well produced at Theatre of Youth (through 3/14) and THE BROTHERS SIZE, very engaging at Ujima on Plymouth Avenue (closing this weekend). PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's

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5:00

Theatre Talk: Four solid shows close this weekend:...

Theater Talk ·

2026/02/27

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about shows closing this weekend (last chances!): PRECIOUS LITTLE ("a little gem of a show," Brazen Faced Varlets at the Compass Performing Arts Center) and O'Connell & Co's non-traditional "FORUM" at Canterbury Woods. The excellent EXIT STRATEGY (directed by Scott Behrend who is back, baby!) continues at Road Less Traveled, and kudos to Keelie Sheridan of Irish Classical for bringing so many wonderful moments, including the deliciously Irish A SKULL

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5:00

Theater Talk: SKULL IN CONNEMARA at Irish Classical...

Theater Talk ·

2026/02/20

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about A SKULL IN CONNEMARA at Irish Classical, very Irish, simultaneously dark and hilarious. Brazen Faced Varlets continue PRECIOUS LITTLE at ART (545 Elmwood); at JRT's SHELTERED continues; and there are four (4!) openings this weekend (see listings).CLICK THROUGH OR 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, especially his latest

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5:00

Theater Talk: SHELTERED at Jewish Repertory powerful,...

Theater Talk ·

2026/02/13

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about SHELTERED, a stunning and timely drama that begins as a screwball comedy but soon gets dramatic. Read Anthony's blog post on theatertalkbuffalo.com then go. Alexandra McArthur reprises her role as Billie Holiday with a wonderful jazz trio headed by Buffalo great George Caldwell. Good openings this weekend at Irish Classical, Desiderio's Dinner Theatre, and Brazen Faced Varlets at ART (545 Elmwood). CLICK THROUGH OR SCROLL DOWN TO SEE

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5:00

Theater Talk: Last month, Musicals ruled. This month,...

Theater Talk ·

2026/02/06

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about how January was all Musicals! Musicals! Musicals! and this February it's Plays! Plays! Plays! including THE LITTLE PRINCE, closing this weekend at Lockport's Taylor Theater. First Look's new play, PRESERVATION, about a locked-away secret, closes at Canterbury Woods. Desiderio's Dinner Theatre will open next week with ON A FIRST NAME BASIS, and Jewish Repertory Theatre opened last night with a hard-hitting play about moral choices and resisting

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5:00

Theater Talk: BTPM Broadway trip favorites? OPERATION...

Theater Talk ·

2026/01/30

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Peter's recent trip with BTPM listeners to Broadway where his favorites were, in order, OPERATION MINCEMEAT, MAYBE HAPPY ENDING, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, JUST IN TIME, and THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG. Back home, it would be good if O'Connell & Co. would bring backSHREK: THE MUSICAL, highly entertaining. Props to director Daniel Lendzian, to everyone on stage (many supporting roles taken by actors who have been leads in other productions), and to

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5:00

Theater Talk: BTPM Broadway trip a success, Shea's...

Theater Talk ·

2026/01/23

This week on Theater Talk, Peter (on the BTPM Broadway Trip to see JUST IN TIME, OPERATION MINCEMEAT, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING) and Anthony talk about Shea's 100th anniversary (to the day, Friday, January 16) which featured performers from shows currently on stage at other sold-out or nearl so venues, including (next door at Shea's Smith Theatre) SHREK: THE MUSICAL is highly entertaining. Down the block, at Shea's 710, Second Generation's MAMMA MIA

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5:00

Theater Talk: Anthony reads Elizabeth Ashley's...

Theater Talk ·

2026/01/16

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

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4:59

Theater Talk: Peter Shaffer's BLACK COMEDY at...

Theater Talk ·

2026/01/09

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

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