OFF ROAD with Peter Palmisano - An RLTP Podcast

In celebration of 20 years of Road Less Traveled Productions, Executive and Artistic Director Scott Behrend and Managing Director Gina Gandolfo spend a little time reminiscing and appreciating their partnership. Included are memories of all that went right due to hard work, as well all that went unexpectedly awry along the way. It’s a tribute to two primary forces who created, from the ground up,...

When a small but powerful feminist theater company called Brazen-Faced Varlets came on the scene in Buffalo, it immediately made an impact…both on the ever-growing list of artists involved and on the steadily increasing audience in attendance at its shows. Lara Haberberger, a performer and director in her own right, was one of the primary co-founders who had the vision to recognize that the Buffal...

Looming over Forest and Elmwood Avenues, in the shadow of the great AKG and Burchfield Penney Art Galleries, stand the dominating towers of the Richardson-Olmsted Campus. Sitting down to talk about its history, its current usage, and its bright future is Cultural Coordinator Patrick F. Ryan, a young man with knowledge far beyond his years. This fascinating discussion is preceded by the talented Ja...

When Gerry Maher departed from his family and the Buffalo theater community on June 16, 2023, there were many anguished expressions of disbelief, sorrow, and sympathy. Although Peter never had the opportunity to interview Gerry, we now pay tribute to this friend and colleague with some stories of his life and some remembrances of the joy he brought to so many.  In this special episode, his daughte...

BONUS HOLIDAY POD! In the rush to prepare for the upcoming holidays, and not wanting to completely skip a regular scheduled podcast, Peter decided to slow things down for a relaxed extended conversation with Sabrina Kahwaty after her “Step Out with Sabrina” segment. The results are here for your listening pleasure as the two discuss some personal family traditions…some from very long ago!

When Bobby Cooke isn’t busy, he…well, never mind. He’s NEVER not busy! Without exaggeration, Peter refers to him as the “busiest man in Buffalo show business” for one reason: he is. As an actor, singer, dancer, choreographer, director, and educator, he is in high demand at every theater in Buffalo…and elsewhere. It doesn’t hurt that he is also one of the most likable people around. Hear what makes...

There are certain theaters in Buffalo that have boasted jaw-dropping and gasp-inducing set designs. When the audience is affected in this way, there’s a good chance that the set was designed by Collin Ranney. After working in the D.C. area for a few years, Collin returned to his family in Buffalo to establish himself as one of the most sought-after designers of both sets and costumes. Hear his sto...

One of the most famous art galleries in the world is located right in our city, and it was well known to one of the world’s most accomplished and knowledgeable art historians. So, Janne Sirén, originally from Finland but well-traveled throughout the art world, was more than delighted to transplant himself and his family in order to accept the position of Director of the renowned and expanding muse...

Though Richard Satterwhite is best known as an actor and director, his work at Roswell Park Cancer Institute as a Patient Engagement Specialist could be considered far more significant, since it is there that he makes an almost daily contribution to the health and well-being of so many men in our area. But, of course, we talk also about his life and his experiences in improv, and the stage and fil...

She may be the “new kid in town,” but Keelie Sheridan brings a wealth of talent, skill, and experience to her new role as Artistic Director of the Irish Classical Theatre Company. Meet this dynamic and charming young woman when she sits down to talk to Peter about how thrilled she is to be joining Buffalo’s established and thriving theater scene. But first, ICTC veteran Reneé Radzavich talks about...

In keeping with Peter’s desire to explore all aspects of live theater, this episode welcomes Nick Quinn. A relative newcomer to the area, Nick is a lighting designer, teacher, and sound designer, most recently for RLTP’s production of Murder Ballad. Plus, Buffalo Spree editor Sabrina Kahwaty attempts to entice Peter to leave the comfort of his couch with the new recurring segment “Step Out With Sa...

Celebrating Off Road's 100th episode! The lovely and talented Jenn Stafford comes on board to spill about the joys and heartbreaks of being in a love triangle in Murder Ballad, while Todd Benzin explains what it will be like every Wednesday doing improv without a net…or a script in “Unscripted,” with weekly guest performers - both on the RLTP stage!

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 in...

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...

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 gratitu...

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 ext...

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!

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...

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 do...

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 t...

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...

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! 

Journey’s End Refugee Services has found its charitable works more and more necessary with each passing day. As its clients flee repression and persecution in their home country, they desperately need the help of this network of volunteers and donors to help make their transition to a new life in the USA possible. And all of WNY benefits as a result.

RLTP’s resident lighting designer, ensemble member John Rickus, takes us on a whirlwind tour of his life behind the scenes both at RLTP and at UB’s Center for the Arts. Learn how the pros use a variety of cables, pipes, lighting instruments, and computers to make every show a work of art.

One of the most unique and fascinating voices in modern theater is Lucas Hnath. In anticipation of the opening of his latest RLTP Buffalo premier of The Thin Place, Lucas was generous enough to talk to Peter about his life, his inspirations, and things that go bump in the night.