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Theater Talk
Every Friday

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.

Ways To Subscribe
Latest Episodes
  • Eileen Dugan and Steve Jakiel as Nancy and Bill French in GRAND HORIZONS at the Lancaster Opera House
    Theater Talk: ARTIES a success (click to see winners), many openings this week, JAGGED wows at Shea's, HORIZONS at LOH continues
    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.
  • In "EARNEST" at ICTC, Clockwise from Top L: Josh Wilde, Melinda Capeles, Renee Landrigan, Ben Michael Moran
    Theater Talk: Anthony visits New Dramatists in NYC; Many local openings this weekend; Michele Ragusa in town; Arties on Monday
    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.
  • TICK...TICK...BOOM! cast mugging at Swan Street Diner L-R Sean Ryan, Joe Russi, Leah Berst.jpg
    Theater Talk: TICK...TICK...BOOM! direction, choreography, acting, music direction all superb.
    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.
  • In CULLUD WATTAH at Ujima Big Ma (Verneice Turner) kisses her pregnant daughter Ainee (Dayatra Hassan)
    Theater Talk: All good things must end; 5 closings this weekend: BAREFOOT IN THE PARK, KINKY BOOTS, KRAGTAR, SUNSET BOULEVARD, and SWEAT. CULLUD WATTAH continues at Ujima.
    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.
  • KINKY BOOTS: Lola and her Angels L-R Collin McKee, Kris Bartolomeo, Marc Sacco, Lorenzo Shawn Parnell, Daniel Pieffer, and Johnny Kiener
    Theater Talk: Artie Award Nominations, also a look at "Kragtar," "Sunset Blvd," "Cullud Wattah," "Rust and Redemption," & Neglia Ballet Gala
    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.
  • KRAGTAR at Alleyway Theatre has extended the run!
    Theater Talk: It's a good time to take in a musical such as KINKY BOOTS, KRAGTAR, SUNSET BOULEVARD, SIX, and DISASTER.
    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.
  • SWEAT at Road Less Traveled L-R Johnny Barden, David Mitchell, Jake Haye
    Theater Talk: Lots to talk about! SIX, SWEAT, STICK WIFE, NETWORK, KRAGTAR (see listings attached)
    This week Anthony and Peter talk about SIX, SWEAT, STICK WIFE, NETWORK, and KRAGTAR at, respectively, Shea's, Road Less Traveled Productions, Revelation Theater at Buff State, D'Youville's Kavinoky, and the Alleyway Theater. 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.
  • DISASTER! at MusicalFare is an hilarious send-up of 1970s disaster movies with era-appropriate music
    Theater Talk: Once again, a wonderfully busy week for area stages. See the listings for all of the openings!
    DISASTER at MusicalFare explodes with talent; FURSONA NON GRATA at First Look has a powerful message. 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.
  • First Look Buffalo presents FURSONA NON GRATA, a romance with a "furry" lifestyle theme.
    Theater Talk: Easter Vacation is over, baby, and we're back with full weekends of plays (see listings).
    After Easter, WNY is back on stage with THURGOOD at the Irish, DISASTER! at MusicalFare, First Look's FURSONA NON GRATA, OCC's ROMANCE/ROMANCE, Revelation Theater's THE STICK WIFE, and another two chances to see ANTHONY CHASE: MY LIFE IN THE AUDIENCE. 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.
  • THURGOOD, the one-man play about Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, continues at the Irish Classical Theatre
    Theater Talk: THURGOOD continues, Anthony gets back to Broadway, Shea's announces next season
    Local theaters in general are fairly "dark" during the Easter holiday, but you can see THURGOOD at Irish Classical through next weekend. Scroll down for complete listings. 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.
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