Theater Talk

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about Kelly and Steve Copps opening in THE LAST FIVE YEARS at MusicalFare, a show will also be on Broadway in the spring starring Nick Jonas (of the Jonas Brothers) alongside Tony winner Adrienne Warren. So, what other stars of television, movies, and the music industry will be on Broadway? As it turns out, many. Jim Parsons, Zoey Deutch, and Katie Holmes will continue in Thornton Wilder's OUR TOWN through Janaury 19. Anthony reminisces about some "crossover" stars including Madonna and Julia Roberts. For more 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the passing of Broadway stars in 2024. 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.

This week Anthony & Peter talk about Steve Copps & Phil Farugia as very funny retro style hosts at MusicalFare; Copps and (Kelly) Copps back there soon in THE LAST FIVE YEARS; LION KING's Mukelisewe Goba as Rafik is superb; Audra's reviews as Mama Rose are, as Anthony predicted, at the top. 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter talk about A KIDMAN CAROL at the Alleyway Cabaret, lots of fun with Broadway stars in the two principal roles of Cate Blanchett and Nicole Kidman. Speaking of Broadway, Anthony flew down to NYC for Audra McDonald's opening night as Mama Rose in GYPSY. Meanwhile, at another theater, Supreme Court Justice Ketanji Brown Jackson made her Broadway debut in a specially created one-night-only walk-on role in the hit jukebox musical & JULIET December 14 at the Stephen Sondheim Theatre. Three shows continue past Christmas: IT WAS A WONDERFUL LIFE at Forest Lawn Cemetery, THE LION KING at Shea's, and SORRY! WRONG CHIMNEY at Desiderio's Dinner Theatre. 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.

This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter note the passing of Mexican movie and musical star Silvia Pinal. Anthony was charmed by Lancaster Opera House's THE WIZARD OF OZ (which included scenes cut from the movie) while Peter enjoyed Neglia Ballet's annual performance of Tchaikovsky's THE NUTCRACKER with the BPO in the pit as well as JUNIE B. JONES IN JINGLE BELLS, BATMAN SMELLS at Theatre of Youth. There's plenty of theater this holiday season. See the listingsFor 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.

Anthony & Peter talk about Lockport's Taylor Theater and a very good 39 STEPS as well as the equally funny THANKSGIVING PLAY at Ujima. Teal Wicks rocks the role of "Anne Hathaway" in & JULIET at Shea's, Anthony saw SUNSET BLVD. on Broadway, and was there to see Stephen McKinley Henderson inducted into the American Theater Hall of Fame.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.

This weekend on Theater Talk, Peter and Anthony talk about ANTIGONE, SOMETHING ROTTEN, and THE FITZGERALDS OF ST. PAUL and creator Christie Baugher talks about her vision and inspiration. 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.

This weekend on Theater Talk, Peter and Anthony talk about REMEMBER THIS: THE LEGEND OF JAN KARSKI starring David Lundy, an intense one-person show at Jewish Rep in Getzville and THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, presented by 2nd Generation Theatre at Shea's Smith in downtown Buffalo.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.

This weekend on Theater Talk, Peter and Anthony talk about THE SHAWSHANK REDEMPTION continuing at Desiderio's Dinner Theater, THE BREAK SONG, by Buffalo's Mark Humphrey, now over, "25th...SPELLING BEE" opening tonight, and a fine H.M.S. PINAFORE at OperaLytes last weekend.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.