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Theater Talk

For over 25 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase.

For many years, Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella. 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.

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.

Latest Episodes
  • MIDSUMMER Traci Lane as Titania, Chris Hatch as Oberon, photo by Larry Rowswell .JPG
    Theater Talk: Anthony and Peter see A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM at Shakespeare in Delaware Park and TOO TRUE TO BE GOOD at The Shawfest in Niagara on the Lake
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media), their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, are covered as other relevant art forms are touched on, including ballet and opera.
  • At Stratford in EVERY LITTLE NOOKIE Marion Adler (left) as Margaret and Stephen Jackman-Torkoff as Smash.
    THEATER TALK: Anthony flies to Broadway while Peter drives to The Stratford Festival where contemporary plays outnumber the classics
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • Marlene Dietrich with Jimmy Stewart in the 1939 western Destry Rides Again.jpg
    Theater Talk: Anthony suggests a Marlene Dietrich role for Jimmy Janowski's next camp send-up. Peter is ready to count 'em up at Stratford: Shakespeare's RICHARD III vs HAMLET
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • ALLEY OF THE DOLLS show poster.jpg
    Theater Talk: Funny business on Broadway? Funny play at the Alleyway as BUA's ALLEY OF THE DOLLS opens
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • GENTLEMANS all cast.jpg
    Theater Talk: GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE and ALLEY OF THE DOLLS open. Hochul signs bill to eliminate hidden ticket fees
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • AS YOU LIKE IT Shakespeare in Delaware Park.jpg
    Theater Talk: Saul Elkin, Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Some pet peeves about programs and sippy cups, and A GENTLEMAN'S GUIDE....
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • In ISLEÑA Victoria Pérez exults in news that she's returning to Puerto Rico for a visit.jpg
    Theater Talk: ISLEÑA starring Victoria Pérez is artfully done on RLTP stage. In NYC Anthony saw POTUS and FAT HAM, both very funny
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • LIFESPAN OF A FACT L-R Brian Brown as Jim Fingal, Loraine O'Donnell as Emily Penrose, and Peter Palmisano as John D'Agata photo by Gene Witkowski.jpg
    Theater Talk: Perfect for our time - LIFESPAN OF A FACT at Kavinoky and Second Gen's CABARET at the Smith.
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
  • L-R Doug Weyand stepped in for Anthony Chase to co-host the 31st Annual Arties, shown here with Peter Hall.jfif
    Theater Talk: 31st Annual Arties "show must (and did) go on!"
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered. This week it's all about the 31st Annual Artie Awards held at 710 Main Theatre once again sponsored by Buffalo Toronto Public Media (BTPM).
  • Charmagne Chi, Anthony Chase, Amy Jakiel will again co-host the Arties.jfif
    Theater Talk: BTPM to march in Sunday's Pride parade; Arties on Monday at 8 pm
    For 30 years, 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. As part of BTPM (Buffalo Toronto Public Media) their beat is primarily Buffalo theater, but Broadway, The Shaw Festival, The Stratford Festival, and other relevant art forms including ballet and opera are covered.
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