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Theater Talk: The Artie Awards (think Tonys for Buffalo) are on! Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Streaming tix available.

Eileen Elibol, Buffalo Toronto Public Media
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https://www.wned.org/community/screenings-and-events/artie-awards/
At the last ARTIE AWARDS (June 3, 2019) L-R Co-hosts were Amy Jakiel, Anthony Chase, Charmagne Chi. They'll be back this 2021!

Finally, after after almost 18 months, the 30th Annual Artie Awards (celebrating shows from the 2019-2020 season) will be held on Monday, Nov. 1, 2021 at 8 pm at The Kavinoky Theatre at D’Youville College, 320 Porter Ave., Buffalo, NY 14201. For those who acted quickly and bought live in-person tickets, doors (and the cash bar) open at 6:30 pm. For everyone, live or streaming, the event begins at 8:00 pm. The bar will close for the actual show beginning at 8:00, and then will open back up following until midnight.

Tickets to stream the event are still on sale now. Visthere https://www.wned.org/community/screenings-and-events/artie-awards/

The Artie Awards began in 1991 and are held each year to celebrate Western New York's Theatre Community. To be eligible for an Artie, an artist must live and work in the Buffalo area, while a theater must produce work locally, primarily with local artists. Scroll down to see the list of nominees.

Alex Watts at the 2019 Arties
Alex Watts at the 2019 Arties

The event is an opportunity to recognize Western New York’s theater arts, as well as, raise funds for the HIV/AIDS & Immunodeficiency Clinic at ECMC. Over the years, through contributions from theatre audiences and proceeds from red ribbon sales, the Arties have raised over $500,000 for AIDS-related charities.

HEALTH AND SAFETY POLICY:

Proof of COVID-19 vaccination will be required to enter the building. Alternatively, attendees may show proof of a recent negative COVID-19 (PCR or rapid) test taken within 48 hours of the event start time . Everyone must wear a mask inside our facility when not eating, drinking, or performing.

Meanwhile, the theater scene in Western New York is very vibrant, so get out and see some plays and musicals which will be eligible next year (hopefully June 2022). Here are the listings:

OPENING (OR OPENED LAST NIGHT)

LOOPED presented by New Phoenix Theatre (October 28 to November 20) 95 Johnson Park, Buffalo 716-853-1334 newphnxtheatre@aol.com)
with James Cichocki and Elliot Fox and Julie Kittsley as Tallulah Bankhead.

SOMETHING WICKED presented by American Repertory Theatre (October 28 - November 20) 545 Elmwood Avenue in Buffalo. (artofwny.org) (716) 697-0837

THE CURIOUS CASE OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME presented by "All for One" Productions at Shea's 710 Theatre (October 28 - November 14) (sheas.org/performances/the-curious-incident-of-the-dog-in-the-nighttime/)

WOMAN IN BLACK presented by the Kavinoky Theatre (October 29 - November 21) on the D'Youville College campus in Buffalo, 320 Porter Avenue (716) 829-7668 (Kavinokytheatre.com)

CONTINUING:

AMERICAN SON presented by Ujima Theatre Collective in the "Lorna C. Hill" Theatre" through October 31 at 429 Plymouth in Buffalo. Fridays and Saturdays at 7:30, Sundays at 4. (716) 322-5178 (ujima.squarespace.com/shows/americanson)

JSEAWOOD

CHORUS LINE presented by O'Connell & Co. through October 31 at 3200 Elmwood Avenue in Kenmore 716-848-0800 (oconnellandcompany.com/)

PHOTOGRAPH 51 presented by Jewish Repertory Theatre through November 14) in the Jewish Community Center in Getzville. (716) 688-4033 (jccbuffalo.org/jrt/)

TRIBUTE continues at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre through December 18 in the back of Bobby J's American Grill 204 Como Park Blvd Cheektowaga featuring Gregory Gjurich, Zachery Gammel, Lisa Hinca, Jennifer Starr, Lisa Ludwig, Robert Insana, and Marie Costa. Shows run most Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays (& some Wednesdays). (http://www.mybobbyjs.com/desiderio-s-dinner-theatre) Reservations by telephone only (716) 395-3207 Evening: 6pm Dinner, 7:30pm Show Matinee: 1pm Dinner, 2:30pm Show

SONGS FOR A NEW WORLD presented by Second Generation Theatre (October 22 - November 14) at Shea's Smith Theatre, 658 Main St, Buffalo. (secondgenerationtheatre.com) (No performances November 4 - 7)

REMNANTS presented by Torn Space (October 22 - November 13) is an interactive, multi-media installation to be explored in groups of six. Ticketed timeslots for 7, 7:30, 8, and 8:30 on Fridays and Saturdays. tornspacetheater.com or ovationtix.com

NOVEMBER OPENINGS (listed by date)

THE BAND'S VISIT (November 2 - 7) at Shea's Buffalo Theater

GOLDEN GIRLS LOST EPISODES: VOLUME 2 at the Alleyway Theatre November 4 - 21 alleyway.com

HAND TO GOD presented by Road Less Traveled Productions (November 4 - December 5). This is the same production from before the pandemic shutdown with one cast member change.

HERE ARE THE ARTIE NOMINEES FOR THE 2019-2020 SEASON:
2020 Nominations

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A PLAY

Kiss of the Spider Woman, New Phoenix Theatre

Love’s Labour’s Lost, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Pipeline, Ujima Theatre Company

‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre Company

To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

OUTSTANDING PRODUCTION OF A MUSICAL

Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Nine, Second Generation Theatre

Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

 OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A PLAY

Antipodes, Road Less Traveled Productions

El Coqui Espectacular, Raíces Theatre Company

Mercury Fur, Subversive Theatre

She Kills Monsters, Subversive Theatre

Two Trains Running, Paul Robeson Theatre

OUTSTANDING ENSEMBLE OF A MUSICAL

Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

Izzy!, New Phoenix Theatre

Miss Nelson is Missing, Theatre of Youth

Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL

Susan Drozd, Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

Lorna C. Hill, Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

Carlos Jones, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Loraine O'Donnell, TheBridges of Madison County, Kavinoky Theatre

Victoria Perez, Nine, Second Generation Theatre

Doug Weyand, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING DIRECTION OF A PLAY

Michael Doben, Mercury Fur, Subversive Theatre

Lorna C. Hill, Pipeline, Ujima Theatre Company

Kyle LoConti, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

Victoria Perez, Kiss of the Spider Woman, New Phoenix Theatre

Fortunato Pezzimenti, ‘Tis Pity She's a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre Company

Carly Weiser, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, Buffalo United Artists

OUTSTANDING CHOREOGRAPHY

Naila Ansari, Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

Bobby Cooke & Nancy Hughes, West Side Story, MusicalFare Theatre

Carlos Jones, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Michael Walline, Elf: The Musical, MusicalFare Theatre

Doug Weyand, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Brian Brown, Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

Steve Copps, The Bridges of Madison County, Kavinoky Theatre

Preach Freedom, Passing Strange, Ujima Theatre Company

Chris Handley, Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

Ben Michael Moran, Nine, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Chris Avery, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

James Cichocki, Bright Colors and Bold Patterns, Buffalo United Artists

Rick Lattimer, Kiss of the Spider Woman, New Phoenix Theatre

Roosevelt Tidwell III, Two Trains Running, Paul Robeson Theatre

Dan Urtz, Hand to God, Road Less Traveled Productions

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Bethany Burrows, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

Robyn Lee Horn, Fun Home, MusicalFare Theatre

Maeghan McDonald, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Michele Marie Roberts, The Bridges of Madison County, Kavinoky Theatre

Zoe Scruggs, Cookin’ at the Cookery, MusicalFare Theatre

OUTSTANDING LEADING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Kelli Bocock-Natale, Entertaining Mr. Sloane, Irish Classical Theatre Company

Lisette DeJesus, El Coqui Espectacular, Raíces Theatre Company

Diane DiBernardo, Lost in Yonkers, Desiderio's Dinner Theatre

Josie DiVincenzo, What I Thought I Knew, Jewish Repertory Theatre

Shantinna Moore, Pipeline, Ujima Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A MUSICAL

Jacob Albarella, Miss Nelson is Missing, Theatre of Youth

Alejandro Gabriél Gómez, West Side Story, MusicalFare Theatre

John Kreuzer, Young Frankenstein, O'Connell & Company

Nick Lama, Elf the Musical, MusicalFare Theatre

Raphael A. Santos, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

Dylan Zalikowski, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTOR IN A PLAY

Lucas Colon, Mercury Fur, Subversive Theatre

Rolando Martin Gómez, ’Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre Company

Patrick Moltane, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

Ricky Needham, The Boys Upstairs, Buffalo United Artists

Tom Owen, The Navigators, Alleyway Theatre

Johnny Rowe, Pipeline, Ujima Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A MUSICAL

Jenn Stafford, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

Pamela Rose Mangus, Young Frankenstein, O'Connell & Company

Blaise Mercedes, West Side Story, MusicalFare Theatre

Ember Tate, Cookin’ at the Cookery, MusicalFare Theatre

Kelly Copps, Nine, Second Generation Theatre

Renee Landrigan, Izzy!, New Phoenix Theatre

OUTSTANDING SUPPORTING ACTRESS IN A PLAY

Cassie Cameron, The Antipodes, Road Less Traveled Productions

Ellen Horst, Lost in Yonkers, Desiderio's Dinner Theatre

Kristen Tripp Kelley, The Antipodes, Road Less Traveled Productions

Aleks Malejs, ‘Tis Pity She’s a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre Company

Shantinna Moore, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

Emily Yancey, Factory for Murderers, Alleyway Theatre

OUTSTANDING PERFORMANCE IN A FEATURED ROLE

Ann DeFazio, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Chris J. Handley, The Tempest, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Peter Horn, Love’s Labour’s Lost, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Lorenzo Shawn Parnell, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Marc Sacco, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Norm Sham, The Tempest, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

OUTSTANDING SET DESIGN

Paul Bostaph, Hairspray, Kavinoky Theatre

Dyan Burlingame, The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, Road Less Traveled Productions

Chris Cavanagh, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

David King, To Kill a Mockingbird, Kavinoky Theatre

Neal Radice, The Navigators, Alleyway Theatre

OUTSTANDING TECHNICAL ACHIEVEMENT

Chris Cavanagh, Lighting Design, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

Adam Kreutinger, Puppet Design, Hand to God, Road Less Traveled Productions

Tom Makar, Sound Design/Score, The Tempest, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Katie Menke, Sound Design, The Antipodes, Road Less Traveled Productions

John Rickus, Lighting Design, The Antipodes, Road Less Traveled Productions

Roy Walker, Properties, ‘Tis Pity She's a Whore, Irish Classical Theatre Company

OUTSTANDING COSTUME DESIGN

Jenna Damberger, The Authentic Life of Billy the Kid, Road Less Traveled Productions

Kari Drozd, Elf: The Musical, MusicalFare Theatre

Lindsay Salamone, The Toxic Avenger, Second Generation Theatre

Kenneth Shaw, The Tempest, Shakespeare in Delaware Park

Jessica Wegrzyn, Indecent, Kavinoky Theatre

CAREER ACHIEVEMENT

Neal Radice

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
Even though "semi-retired," Peter Hall continues to wear many hats. He is the Sunday afternoon host on WBFO’s “sister station,” WNED Classical where he has produced over 1,000 radio interviews with musical artists. If you see him at a theater with a pen in his hand, he’s probably getting ready to co-host “Theater Talk” with Anthony Chase (heard Friday mornings at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on WBFO) or to write a review for www.buffalorising.com. He is also a member of the "Artie Awards" committee (think “Tony Awards for Buffalo theaters”).
Latest Episodes
  • Usually, July means Shakespeare in Delaware Park and The Shaw Festival in Niagara on the Lake, and both are going strong in 2023, but add to that mix more musicals including TWELFTH NIGHT (adapted from Shakespeare) at MusicalFare and CHICAGO at O'Connell & Co. in their home theater on Bailey Avenue. (See listings below.) For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • MEASURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare, presented by Shakespeare in Delaware Park, had a very entertaining opening. And Theater Talk mourns the loss of beloved Buffalo character actor, two-time Artie Award winner, Jerry Maher. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Theater Talk notes the extraordinary number of closings after this weekend. So many great shows! So little time (left)! BLOOM, and DEAR EVAN HANSEN, and GOLDEN GIRLS 3, and GRAND HORIZONS, and THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST, and ANTHONY CHASE, MY LIFE IN THE AUDIENCE, all worthy of your consideration. (See listings below.) Unfortunately, the last four shows of THE SOUND INSIDE at The Kavinoky have been canceled. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • The Tony Awards on Broadway were (unscripted) fun although we were disappointed that Buffalo's Stephen McKinley Henderson did not win Best Actor. "EARNEST" continues at Irish Classical as does THE SOUND INSIDE at the Kavinoky ("a marvelous little puzzle of a play" says Anthony) and BLOOM directed by Katie Mallinson finds the Raices Theater Company using the Road Less Traveled Stage. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • The 32nd Annual Artie Awards, sponsored by Buffalo/Toronto Public Media, were held on Monday, June 5, 2023, and you can see the winners below. And just like that, we're already watching shows with a view toward the 33rd Arties to be held in June 2024. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • On Theater Talk this week Anthony talks about visiting the New Dramatists in NYC; George Maharis dead at age 94, who was the victim of anti-gay discrimination. There are many local openings this weekend; Michele Ragusa is in town; and the Artie Awards are on Monday. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • This week Theater Talk celebrates the musical TICK...TICK...BOOM! which is selling out and for good reason. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Once again, something for everyone from campy KINKY BOOTS at Shea's 710, to Neil Simon at Jewish Rep, to CULLUD WATTAH at Ujima, to SUNSET BOULEVARD at O'Connell & Company. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • Theater Talk topics this week include the Artie Award Nominations, "Kragtar," "Sunset Blvd," "Cullud Wattah," "Rust and Redemption," & the Neglia Ballet Gala coming up next weekend. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • It's a great time to take in a musical, from DISASTER at MusicalFare in Amherst, to KINKY BOOTS presented by MusicalFare at Shea's 710 Theatre, to KRAGTAR, to SIX and more. For 30 years (as of November 2022) 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 6:45 and 8:45 Friday mornings 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, and The Stratford Festival are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.