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Theater Talk: Chautauqua plays on WNED-TV, O'Connell & Co. to stream TEA FOR THREE filmed at TR site

Eileen Buckley, WBFO Archive Photo

While theaters are dark, theater companies are busy, including Chautauqua with a play filmed at and airing on WNED-TV (airdate: Monday, October 26, starting at 8). And airing on your device of choice will be TEA FOR THREE, filmed at the TR Inaugural site in Buffalo, about three First Ladies. Meet Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon, and Betty Ford, a charming antidote to the politics of today, as explained by Mary Kate O'Connell. 

Detroit Public Theatre and Chautauqua Theater Company present two acclaimed solo productions, Nilaja Sun’s NO CHILD… and Eric Gutman’s FROM BROADWAY TO OBSCURITY.  Through a partnership with Detroit Public TV and WNED PBS, audiences in Detroit and Buffalo/Toronto will be able to enjoy this unique double feature.  It airs in Buffalo, on Monday night, October 26, starting at 8 p.m.

From the Press Release:

From Broadway to Obscurity, which was recorded at Marygrove Theatre by Detroit Public TV, is a musical love letter to both Broadway and Michigan. At the peak of his career playing several roles in the Tony and Grammy award-winning smash hit Jersey Boys on Broadway, Eric Gutman made the decision to return to his hometown in Metro Detroit so that he could raise his two young daughters closer to his family. Weaving together a heartwarming narrative using beloved songs from both musical theatre and popular music, dead-on celebrity impressions, and sneak peeks at what goes on backstage of one of the biggest hits in Broadway history, Eric Gutman tells the story of his transition from Broadway star to suburban Michigan dad.

Written and performed by Nilaja Sun and captured on tape in the studios at the WNED PBS studios in Buffalo with the support of the Chautauqua Theatre Company, No Child... is a breathtaking solo show exploring the New York City public school system. Sun fearlessly transforms herself with rapid-fire precision into the teachers, students, parents, janitors, security guards, and administrators of a New York City public high school. Sun demonstrates how one determined woman can change the lives of countless others in this tour de force, crackling with wit and wisdom and showing us the transformative power of art.

These two thrilling works of theatre are wildly different in theme and form and will give viewers a taste of just how varied and transporting the work of solo performers can be. On Monday, Oct. 26, From Broadway to Obscurity begins at 8 pm and No Child… begins at 9:30 pm on WNED PBS.

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
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