OFF ROAD with Peter Palmisano - An RLTP Podcast

Special guest Tom Owen

An old friend sits down with Peter to try to fill in some missing pieces from last season’s theatre history project. The talented Tom Owen was there for much of the modern era, and he has stories to share and details to uncover.

Special guest Christina Orsi

The John R. Oishei Foundation made a brilliant move last December when it named Christina Orsi to be its first female president. Though busy planning the activities of this 80 year old charitable organization, Ms. Orsi sat down for a friendly and comprehensive chat about her life and future.

Special guest Lynne Koscielniak

After honing her skills in Chicago, Lynne Koscielniak returned to her home town of Buffalo to wow theater audiences with eye-popping set and lighting designs while mentoring design tech students at UB. Still, this busy lady somehow found the time to chat about her never ending love for her artistic career. 

Special guest Anthony Chase

After contributing so beautifully to the series of podcasts known as “A History of Buffalo Theatre,” it was fairly obvious that a full interview with the knowledgeable and talented Tony Chase had to happen sooner rather than later. So here he is, talking about his life and his love for the theater! It’s his long-awaited, always fascinating and never disappointing interview with Peter!

Special guest LeRoi Johnson

When LeRoi C. Johnson was managing the business of his brother Rick James, he put his law career and his colorful art career on temporary hold. But since then, he has grown both in status and renown. Today, his paintings can be found all over the world, and he talks to Peter about how his life and his art have evolved and experienced great success!

Special guest Doug Zschiegner

Since Doug Zschiegner first moved to Western New York, he has impressed the Buffalo theater community with his many talents and his dedication to educating future theater artists. We are lucky to have him in town, and Peter was lucky to get this busy man to sit down for a look at his life and his careers as an actor, a director, and an educator!

Special guest Tom Calderone

When he was attending Buffalo State, who would have suspected that the multi-talented Tom Calderone would someday become the leader of the MTV/VH1 networks, only to return to his adopted hometown of Buffalo to head the continuing renaissance of PBS and Buffalo Toronto Public Media?

Special guest Joe Grifasi

Joe Grifasi is one of the most recognizable faces on stage, television, and film, with plenty to talk about. But when he discovered he was being interviewed by a “paisan,” the fun really began.

Special guest Brandye Merriweather

The multi-talented Brandye Merriweather was named the president of the Buffalo Urban Development Corporation in March, an incredibly important and demanding position. But she somehow found time to sit down with Peter to chat about her life, her goals, and her plans to continue Buffalo’s thriving “comeback.”

Special guest Robert Askins

Peter zooms into a fascinating look behind RLTP’s hit show Hand to God when he interviews the hilarious playwright Rob Askins. How did this play come about, and what events in Rob’s life led to its inception? Rob holds nothing back!
Advisory: Explicit language.