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Theater Talk For 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.Heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on WBFO, the five-minute weekly show is also available on wbfo.org and as a podcast.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.
Theater Talk

Podcast Directory
Theater Talk

Theater Talk

From WBFO-FM 88.7

For 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.Heard at 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings on WBFO, the five-minute weekly show is also available on wbfo.org and as a podcast.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.

Most Recent Episodes

THEATER TALK : CYCLONE at Buff State, SHUCKED at Shea's, PIPPIN at OCC, BUCKET LIST with 2...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about RIDE THE CYCLONE last week at Buff State with a tip to go to our local universities for high-quality affordable theater. The Broadway tour of the corny musical SHUCKED starts at Shea's on Tuesday. Stephen Schwart's (WICKED, GODSPELL) musical PIPPIN opens tonight at O'Connell & Co. (on Bailey Ave.). Second Generation's annual fundraiser called BUCKET LIST will feature an A-list group of performers Sunday night at Shea's Smith. THE INFORMER by Matthew LaChiusa continues at ART of WNY (545 Elmwood), a well-crafted adaptation of Liam O'Flaherty's novel. Also tonight, one night only CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD, an LGBTQ+ oratorio opens at Westminster Presbyterian about the 21-year-old brutally attacked near Laramie, Wyoming (see listings).For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

THEATER TALK : CYCLONE at Buff State, SHUCKED at Shea's, PIPPIN at OCC, BUCKET LIST with 2...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: THE INFORMER opens at ART of WNY; NOW AND THEN has big role for Steve Jakiel...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about THE INFORMER by Matthew LaChiusa, which opened last night at ART of WNY, an adaptation of Liam O'Flaherty's novel; NOW AND THEN has big role for Steve Jakiel at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre in Cheektowaga; Next week consider CONSIDERING MATTHEW SHEPARD, an LGBTQ+ oratorio at Westminster Presbyterian about the 21 year old brutally attacked near Laramie, Wyoming; and we get two musicals on tour this month at Shea's, including SHUCKED, while the excellent OUR LADY OF 121st STREET by Stephen Adly Guirgis continues at RLTP. For more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: THE INFORMER opens at ART of WNY; NOW AND THEN has big role for Steve Jakiel...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: The joys of seeing a show more than once, including MOTHERS AND SONS at Niag...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk the joys of seeing a play or musical again, such as MOTHERS AND SONS at Niagara University or THE WIZ at Shea's, and the special joy of seeing a play twice with the same cast which they enjoyed at Irish Classical for THE LOVED ONES. There's humor mixed with drama in GOODNIGHT TYLER at Ujima's Lorna C. Hill Theatre, and, of course, THE WIZ is a classic. Please see listings belowFor more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: The joys of seeing a show more than once, including MOTHERS AND SONS at Niag...

Listen · 6:15

Theater Talk: How can every theater in town have a stellar cast? They do! NEXT TO NORMAL, ...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about top-tier talent all across the area in NEXT TO NORMAL, OUR LADY OF 121ST STREET, and BLACK BEAR ISLAND at The Alleyway. Opening tonight is GOODNIGHT TYLER at Ujima's Lorna C. Hill Theatre, and opening tomorrow, we have THE HOBBIT. See the listings below. Also, Shakespeare in Delaware Park has their annual fundraising "feast" (5-course meal) on the Ides of March (3/15/2025) at Rich's Atrium. Visit shakespeareindelawarepark.org/2025-fabulous-feast/ for details. The cutoff is 3/3 this Monday. Please see the listings for more about closing, continuing, and upcoming local shows. For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45 pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: How can every theater in town have a stellar cast? They do! NEXT TO NORMAL, ...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: Every show in town has an all-star cast, including THE NICETIES, THE LOVED O...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE at Torn Space, THE LOVED ONES at Irish Classical, THE NICETIES (Second Generation) at Shea's Smith Theatre. All shows on stages this week have all-star casts. See listings attached.For more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: Every show in town has an all-star cast, including THE NICETIES, THE LOVED O...

Listen · 6:02

Theater Talk: Skillfully directed plays with great casts - THE WANDERERS at JRT, Bella Poy...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about THE WANDERERS at Jewish Repertory Theatre as well as local playwright Bella Poynton's new play, THE MIGHTIE MAISIE at A.R.T. and closing this week is the hilarious FORBIDDEN BROADWAY in the comfortable Shea's 710 Theatre. Next week we'll talk about SCENES FROM A MARRIAGE at Torn Space, THE LOVED ONES at Irish Classical, THE NICETIES (Second Generation) at Shea's Smith Theatre. See listings attached.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: Skillfully directed plays with great casts - THE WANDERERS at JRT, Bella Poy...

Listen · 4:59

Theater Talk: Women playwright's works excel on area stages now: Hoke, Martin, Poynton, Zi...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony remembers Kathleen Betsko Yale (1939-2025) a fierce advocate for women in theater leading into Anthony and Peter talking about new plays in Buffalo by women including Donna Hoke, Wendy-Marie Martin, Bella Poynton, Anna Ziegler and more to come with plays opening every week in February. See listings attached.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: Women playwright's works excel on area stages now: Hoke, Martin, Poynton, Zi...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: January Broadway trip a success with five musicals - OUTSIDERS, HELL'S KITCH...

This week Anthony and Peter discuss the most recent Buffalo Toronto Public Media bus trip to Broadway where the group saw five musicals in three days. And, locally, another Donna Hoak play opened. For more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: January Broadway trip a success with five musicals - OUTSIDERS, HELL'S KITCH...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: O'Connell's KHAN!!! hilarious but closing soon at Shea's Smith; THE DAY I LE...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about KHAN!!! A PARODY TREK-TACULA, a musical send-up of the Star Trek franchise produced by O'Connell & Co. at Shea's Smith Theatre. And, also a comedy, but with a thoughtful side, THE DAY I LEARNED TO FLY a new play produced by First Look Buffalo which just opened at the Canterbury Woods performance space.For more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: O'Connell's KHAN!!! hilarious but closing soon at Shea's Smith; THE DAY I LE...

Listen · 5:00

Theater Talk: Shea's LION KING brings $ to Buffalo, THE LAST FIVE YEARS well acted at Musi...

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss the economic impact of Shea's, including the recent three-week run of THE LION KING. Kelly and Steve Copps opened in THE LAST FIVE YEARS at MusicalFare. Anthony reminisces about how seeing GUSTO brought him to Buffalo. And a new play, THE DAY I LEARNED TO FLY, opens tonight produced by First Look Buffalo. For more about upcoming local shows, please see the listings.For 32 years (as of November 2024), Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian Anthony Chase, who joins Peter Hall for a five-minute weekly broadcast at 6:45am, 8:45am, and 5:45pm Fridays on 88.7 WBFO with a podcast available on wbfo.org. NOTE: Theater listings are included with the podcast. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and Chautauqua are covered as are other relevant art forms for the stage, including ballet and opera.

Theater Talk: Shea's LION KING brings $ to Buffalo, THE LAST FIVE YEARS well acted at Musi...

Listen · 4:59
Theater Talk

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