Episodes
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Vincent O’Neill - Founder of Irish Classical Theatre, Performer & Educator
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
Tuesday Sep 05, 2023
We start with a feature about the 40th anniversary of Curtain Up! as Lisa Ludwig talks about the excitement to come. Then, Vincent O’Neill performed his first show in a banquet room in Cheektowaga, but no one could have predicted the influence he and his brother Chris would have on the Buffalo theater community in the very near future. Vincent explains how it all began in this fun and important interview with the founder of the Irish Classical Theater Company.
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Neal Radice - Former Alleyway Theatre Executive Director
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
Tuesday Aug 22, 2023
BONUS LENGTH EPISODE! When the Buffalo professional theater community was in its infancy, there was one man to call when you wanted to start something from the ground up. Why? Because he had done it all…and he would help you do the same! Neal Radice could be considered one of the most important building blocks in the development of many of our most historic theaters. On this episode he talks about how it all began, where it is all headed, and how he continues to be active and involved…but not as much as he’d like!
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Special guest Jim Santella
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Tuesday Aug 08, 2023
Though Jim Santella could arguably claim to be the father of rock radio in Buffalo, his career included a variety of outlets for his talents. Theater enthusiasts would become instant fans of his work with Tony Chase on Theater Talk for WBFO, and their easy camaraderie and knowledgeable critiques made every episode mandatory listening. Still a recognizable voice, Jim accepts Peter’s undying gratitude as he talks about his past contributions to Buffalo's media history.
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Special guest John Cimasi
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
Tuesday Jul 25, 2023
As the heyday of community theater continued in Buffalo, John Cimasi discovered a formula for dinner theater that would woo thousands of patrons to his brother’s “Showboat” restaurant at the foot of Hertel Avenue. After some serious remodeling, the venue became the home to hundreds of local actors and theater technicians who were paid for their efforts for the first time! Many later went on to extensive careers elsewhere, some even forming theater companies of their own. Later performing at many restaurants locally and in neighboring states, John’s “Melic and Mime” group became the foundation of Buffalo’s theater future. Here’s his story.
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Special guest Brian LaTulip
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
Tuesday Jul 11, 2023
For many years, Brian LaTulip was a go-to lead actor at every major Buffalo theater. He was also a very successful restauranteur whose “Klondike” bar and grille was mightily popular for its “Bison-meat” entrees! Then Brian suffered a number of medical challenges, forcing his retirement from the stage, but the story of his varied careers is finally told in this episode!
Friday Jun 23, 2023
Special guest Gail Golden
Friday Jun 23, 2023
Friday Jun 23, 2023
The owner of one of the most distinctive voices in the world of radio and television commercials, Gail Golden is no one trick pony. She is a significant and valued member of the Buffalo theater community, both on stage and behind the scenes. In addition to being a consummate performer, she is a producer, director, writer, and employer of other actors. And…she has a lot to say about both Buffalo’s theater past and the pressures of being Mrs. Santa Claus!
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Special guest Brian Milbrand
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Tuesday May 30, 2023
Brian Milbrand is a multidisciplinary artist whose work incorporates video, film, live performance, audio, and painting, often in combination with each other. But he has become even more well-known during the past several years as the man who adds brilliant often crucial video support to theatrical productions all over Buffalo. How did this Artie-nominated artist rise to such heights, and where does he go from here?
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Special guest Kevin Di Lucente
Tuesday May 16, 2023
Tuesday May 16, 2023
To get up in front of an audience with memorized words is a skill, for sure. But to do it with nothing but your mind and the trust you have in your partner is like walking a tightrope without a net while wearing roller skates! Kevin DiLucente and his company of skilled improvisers experience this exhilarating thrill every time they walk onto a stage with a strange set and nothing but a suggested title for a one hour show that is about to happen. And it happens brilliantly and hilariously! Peter talks to Kevin about his upcoming “Hour Town” show at RLTP and the art of comedy improv on today’s episode.
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Special guest Anne Gayley
Tuesday May 02, 2023
Tuesday May 02, 2023
When Anne Gayley first arrived in Buffalo as a young housewife, she looked around for something to do with herself so she wouldn’t be home all the time! She worked up her nerve…and ended up on stage. All these years later, she is known as one of the most loved, most prolific actor/directors from Buffalo’s theatrical history. Now in semi-retirement from the boards, Anne recollects how it all began and some favorite stories from her past.
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Special guest Davida Evette Tolbert
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
Tuesday Apr 18, 2023
One of the stars of Sweat, the great new production at Road Less Traveled, is Davida Evette Tolbert, and she stopped by the theater to sit down and have a fun and effervescent conversation with Peter about her start in Buffalo theater and her more-than-promising future!