If you’re a frequent listener of the BTPM radio station, chances are you’ve tuned into an episode of “Theater Talk” with Dr. Anthony Chase.
Through hosting the talk show for over 30 years, being invested in the art form since early childhood, and having his own star in front of Shea’s Performing Arts Center, you’d be hard pressed to find someone more ingrained in the theater scene here in Western New York.
Beginning in his childhood, he was immediately introduced to the stage through his parents, both being ballet performers with himself and his siblings following suit.
From there, it was impossible to separate him from theater.
“I had a subscription to Children’s Theater in Poughkeepsie, and I remember those productions as vividly as if they were today,” he said.
When asked what productions had a formative impact, Dr. Chase had a multitude in mind.
“’The Nutcracker’ ballet for many children is an entry,” he said. “There’s also the television broadcast of ‘Peter Pan’ with Mary Martin and Cyril Ritchard, very formative. In the Poughkeepsie Children’s Theater, ‘Emil and the Detectives,’ a German story about a little boy who has to solve a crime, which I remember the production had a set that turned into every location and people were running up and down the aisles. With a child as a protagonist, that was thrilling for me.”
Dr. Chase went on to act in theater productions from elementary to high school and double majored in English and Theater in his time at Trinity College. It was around his time in college that he began to dip his toes into criticism through different journalistic opportunities.
Theater criticism is where you will find him today, whether through his aforementioned radio show, Theater Talk, with his co-host Peter Hall, or through his website of the same name. It is there that Dr. Chase gets to highlight different theater productions all throughout WNY.
When writing his reviews of different productions, he writes primarily for those that want to watch the productions vs those who make them. One of Dr. Chase’s goals in writing about theater productions or in teaching classes here at Buffalo State is to make theater as accessible as possible.
“I think that’s what I see as my role,” he said. “Helping people derive pleasure from theater, helping people access entertainment choices that they will enjoy.”
Dr. Chase also highlighted how every production always gives him something to think about, whether it’s analyzing how it went so well or trying to piece together where a disappointing performance fumbled the ball.
When speaking of his time teaching here at Buffalo State, Dr. Chase highlighted the enjoyment he gets in sharing experiences with his students.
“I love meeting people. I love seeing that ‘a-ha’ moment in my classes,” he said. “I honestly would like to teach more courses. In the English Department, I’ve been able to teach a course just about Shakespeare’s collaborative plays, just Tennessee Williams, just Irish drama. With the students who share your obsession, you also get new perspectives on theater every day. It’s great.”
Before closing out the interview, Dr. Chase shared a handful of productions that he recommends people should watch:
– Water for Elephants — Shea’s
– Laughing Troll Café — Compass Performing Arts Center
– Things With Friends — Alleyway Theater
His Theater Talk podcast is available for listening on BTPM’s website and Spotify, and on BTPM NPR’s Morning Edition segment on the radio.
