OFF ROAD with Peter Palmisano - An RLTP Podcast

Kyle LoConti - Director

One of the most delightful and beloved personalities in the Buffalo theater community began her career unconventionally and soon became a respected artisan in the field. When Kyle LoConti sat down with Peter, the dialogue flowed, the stories unfurled, and warmth permeated every minute. Two friends and colleagues could not have felt more comfortable.

Randy Kramer - Executive & Artistic Director of MusicalFare Theatre

When Randy Kramer left New York City to return to his home town, he couldn’t possibly have known that he would some day be the Executive Artistic Director of a theatrical company in residence at one of the most treasured venues in Buffalo: Shea’s 710 Theatre. Although his performance interests began with studying to be a professional pianist, he developed a love for musical theater and a skill set that resulted in marked successes composing, directing, and producing quality shows for the devoted and growing audiences at MusicalFare, his highly respected company. In this fascinating interview, he looks back at his first year downtown, and he looks ahead at what might still be!

Diane DiBernardo - Actor

Whether she’s designing and wearing ingenious make-up looks, standing front and center in her classroom, or gracing the stage of RLTP (and so many others), Diane DiBernardo is someone worth knowing, talking to, and hanging out with! In her current onstage persona, she starts off the play Exit Strategy with a bang…and the show flies even higher from there. She’s so busy that Peter felt lucky to persuade her to sit down for a chat in this fun episode.

Katie Menke - Sound & Projection Designer

When you attend a show at RLTP, and you finally leave the bar area (with your pre-show cocktail) and walk into the theater proper, you will likely be greeted by a feast for the senses. Not just a beautiful set and lighting, but a soundscape designed and developed by their resident audio expert, Katie Menke. This delightful lady is usually hidden from sight, shying from the spotlight and working her magic long before the curtain rises. But here she is to tell the story about how she found success following her father’s lead into a field of endless creativity and entertainment. 

Maria & Craig LaRotonda - Artists, Gallery Owners, Curators, Visionaries

The Revolution Gallery Lounge became a critical element of the arts scene in North Buffalo nearly ten years ago. Since then, it has doubled in size and hosted art shows, concerts, “event” nights, while welcoming fans and newcomers who were just plain curious. With their focus on surreal and figurative art, Maria and Craig LaRotonda practically created a new experience by combining three of the finer things in life: artworks, music, and alcohol! Their thriving gallery could almost be missed if one were to focus on all of the shops in their neighborhood, but once a person’s curiosity opens the door, there are few who would not stay to enjoy the sights and sounds.

Pamela Rose Mangus - Actor

In Western NY, there is never a shortage of talented artists, and Pamela Rose Mangus is a triple threat, at least! While conquering the local music scene with several awards for best country music vocalist, she also became a well-known actor and musical performer on local theatrical stages. Combine this with her ever present influence at O’Connell & Co. and she has become one of the most versatile, popular, and in-demand personalities around. 

Greg Stuhr - Actor, Director, Screenwriter - Part 2

He’s BA-ACK! Greg Stuhr couldn’t quite get everything...all of his love for Western New York and its theater scene, all of his theatrical credits, all the names of those who helped him along the way…into one podcast. Well, frankly, the truth is that Peter couldn’t bear to edit out so much good stuff! So it became a two parter. The first part is still available, having been released back in June of last year, by going to the Podbean or RLTP website. But this part puts a bow on all of it and wraps it up nicely as a post-holiday present that you never got to open. 

Stan Klimecko - Actor

When Stan Klimecko sat down for an in depth interview, it was in the warmth of a mid-August summer, but his story is just as much fun to hear now, during a cold and sometimes snowy holiday season. Having appeared on stages from Buffalo to New York to LA, and in several major films, Stan’s stories of trying to make it as an artist show a determination and range that have served him well. From a star-making appearance in a Studio Arena production of “Streetcar” to his recent performance as Scrooge at the Kenan Center, his talents have been praised by many.
 

Hasheen DeBerry - Production Coordinator

Behind the scenes at RLTP, there are always those who work in relative obscurity; it takes a village to produce every show! This week, our focus is on Production Coordinator Hasheen DeBerry, an unsung hero without whom no show ever reaches the audience. He tells the story of how he came to fill this all important role and talks about hopes for an expanded role in the future. But preceding him, David Hayes, one of the most popular and familiar faces in front of the curtain, opens up about his background, his theater life, and his “other” life at Canisius High School.

Camilla Maxwell - Actor

It’s “Newcomer November” here on Off Road, and to fulfill that promise, we start off with recent Niagara University graduate, Lauren Farrow. Currently playing the role of Theresa in RLTP’s ongoing show Mr. Wolf, this delightful young lady tells the story of how she arrived at this, her first professional show. Not to be outdone, she is followed by an equally fun and revealing interview with an equally important actor from the same show who is also new to the Buffalo theater scene, albeit a bit more experienced: Camilla Maxwell…straight from Sydney, Australia by way of New York City!