OFF ROAD with Peter Palmisano - An RLTP Podcast

For a long time, the name Eileen Dugan had been a familiar one throughout the Buffalo theater scene. She worked at nearly every professional theater, directed, taught acting, and produced shows for her own company. Though her name may not be as prominent around town as it used to be, she recently found herself with a suddenly busy calendar, and this talented artist took the time to look back on her career and look forward to the future.

Highly visible among the BPO faithful, Fernanda Lastra can be seen throughout western New York conducting Music for Youth concerts, Summer Series concerts, and various community engagement performances. Although truly comfortable within the confines of Kleinhans Music Hall, her tenure there ends with the conclusion of this season. Therefore, before her departure, Peter was anxious to spread her story of travel and triumph since her arrival from her home in Argentina.

Though previously he had been honored for his acting and directing throughout the Buffalo theater community, Greg Natale has become increasingly busy in his wood-working shop. What's the story of the self-proclaimed termination of his previous artistic activities? He sat down with Peter to tell how it all began, and why it led to this decision to pursue a different brand of art.

The words “needs no introduction” apply most particularly to MaryKate O’Connell. Well known and loved throughout the Buffalo theater community, her roots go back to nearly the beginning of its heyday, and her influence will continue for many years to come. In fact, it was her family who helped save the glorious building that has become the Shea’s Buffalo Theater and its two additional performance spaces. Truly, this is a woman whose name resonates with artists and audience members in every corner of western New York, and here she takes the time to tell us her story.

Justin Karcher is a welcome visitor in every theater in town because at any one of them he can be inspired to write a poem about the show he sees. And recently, he has tried his hand at play-writing, as well. How this young man came to be known as “Buffalo’s theater poet” is revealed in a fascinating conversation in this episode. But first, Michelle Holden returns to talk with Peter about audience reaction to RLTP’s current show Witch on another segment of “Off-Book on Off Road.”

Though Wendy Hall was quickly accepted as a "Buffalo-gal," she is actually a transplant from the west coast who has adapted to our ways and adopted our area as her own. Prolific in many aspects of onstage performance, she has been seen in musicals, dramas, and comedies throughout the local theater scene. She is an Artie award winning actor who brings her heart and soul to the current production of Witch on the RLTP stage, but first she sits down with Peter to talk about how she found us and how happy she is that she did! Before this, however, good friend Don Gervasi attempts to explain the rules of improv and how he has become one of its funniest practitioners as he promotes “Unscripted,” onstage every Wednesday performing hilarious comedy on whatever set exists at RLTP. 

As one of the most well-known and awarded directors in Buffalo, Fortunato Pezzimenti has a storied career that has greatly influenced the history of this theater community. Arguably a legend of the stage, he is more than deserving of this retrospective on his life and career. But first, Matt and Keith Galantowicz will warm your heart as they tell the amazing story of their decision to create an instant family through the adoptive rescue of five children.

When Tom Ralabate danced his way onto the faculty of the State University of New York at Buffalo nearly 50 years ago, little did he or they realize the consequences of his actions. As one of the dominant instructors of dance at that institution, he helped establish the reputation of the Zodiaque Dance Company and the nascent UB department of “Theatre and Dance.”  Now, ready to celebrate the 50th anniversary of that dance troupe, he sat down to reminisce about his experiences, his career choices, and his love of teaching. But first, Buffalo actor David Lundy explains his decision to tackle another difficult challenge in the upcoming one man show Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski for the Jewish Repertory Theater.

The multi talented Curtis Lovell had almost no choice in following career in show business. Being brought up in mother Lorna Hill's creation, Ujima Theatre Co., the exposure to all manner of arts performances made it inevitable. But the sum total of Curtis’ skills cannot be overstated. Acting, directing, composing, singing…CREATING is where you will find Curtis Lovell. But before this incredible interview, Peter sits down with Michelle Holden as she leads another Off-Book discussion. This time they address audience reaction and questions about the current RLTP show, Shipwrecked!

Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Donald Margulies has written works that have delighted audiences in many Buffalo theaters as well as around the world. Currently, one of his plays, Shipwrecked - An Entertainment, is onstage at the Road Less Traveled theater, and Mr. Margulies was gracious enough to record this interview with Peter to celebrate this production. Reminiscing about everything from his humble beginnings in Brooklyn to his previous visit to Buffalo when RLTP last produced one of his plays, this delightful conversation is both enlightening and fun! But first, Constance Caldwell talks about her new television show spotlighting local musicians: Jazz Scene Buffalo!