WNY Soundstage

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Grant O’Brien, the inaugural JoAnn Falletta Conducting Fellow with the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  Grant O’Brien is a conductor known for imaginative programming, dynamic performances, and a commitment to making orchestral music accessible to broad audiences. He previously served as Assistant Conductor of the Jacksonvill...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kevin Cirone, playwright of His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir at Alleyway Theatre. Kevin Cirone is a playwright and Kennedy Center Playwriting alumnus whose work has entertained audiences across New England, New York, and beyond for over 20 years, with productions at the Huntington Theater Company, New York International Fringe Fes...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Leslie Odom, Jr.  Leslie Odom, Jr. is a Tony and Grammy Award-winning, Emmy- and Oscar-nominated actor, songwriter, and New York Times bestselling author, best known for originating Aaron Burr in Hamilton. He returned to the role in September 2025 to record-breaking box office success, and also earned acclaim and a Tony nomin...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with playwright Douglas Lyons and cast members Michael ‘Bebe’ Blasdell and Matthew Crehan Higgins about Second Generation Theatre Company’s production of Pure Glitter.   Douglas Lyons is a two-time Emmy-nominated multi-hyphenate artist whose Broadway debut play Chicken and Biscuits earned a GLAAD nomination and became one of...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kristoffer Díaz about his play Things with Friends, now playing at Alleyway Theatre.  Kristoffer Díaz is a playwright, librettist, screenwriter, and educator whose work often blends sharp social insight with kinetic, character‑driven storytelling. His play The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity was a finalist for the Pulitzer P...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Barry Privett, lead singer of the band Carbon Leaf. Formed in 1992, Carbon Leaf is a Virginia-based band known for blending rock, folk, and Celtic influences into a signature sound. Over three decades, they’ve released numerous albums, toured extensively, and built a devoted fan base. Their latest release, Time is the Playground,...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with James Olmstead.  James Olmstead is a Broadway and symphonic music director, arranger, and orchestrator known for his work on both stage and concert productions. He specializes in creating live orchestral arrangements of iconic film scores, combining precision, creativity, and a deep understanding of complex musical textures....

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Dante Williams, host of the No Label Podcast. Dante Williams, an East Side Buffalo native and versatile creative, has built a career blending music, art, fashion, and media, co-creating the respected No Label The Podcast with Nelson Clark. He also runs his own production company, Beyond Prolific Productions, and contributes regula...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Heather Gring, Rare Book Curator at the Buffalo & Erie County Public Library, and Michael Bosworth, Executive Director of WNY Book Arts Center, about the exhibition AP Gorny: Different from the Rest. The exhibition showcases the work of AP (Anthony Peter) Gorny, a Buffalo-born artist whose career defies easy categorization. Kn...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Anthony Parnther, guest conductor of Mozart’s Violin presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra.  Conductor and Bassoonist Anthony Parnther is in his sixth season as Music Director of California’s San Bernardino Symphony Orchestra. His extraordinary career ranges from leading major symphony orchestras and selling out pre...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra’s double-bassist Jonathan Borden about BPO UpClose.  BPO UpClose is an intimate, in-the-round concert experience in Kleinhans Music Hall’s Mary Seaton Room that places audiences at the heart of the orchestra. Led by concertmaster Nikki Chooi and BPO double bassist Jonathan Borden, the program fe...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Ana Gasteyer.  Ana Gasteyer is an actor, singer, and comedian best known for her six seasons on Saturday Night Live. She has made countless television appearances, in addition to an extensive stage career (including starring as Elphaba in Wicked on Broadway). Gasteyer is also an accomplished vocalist with multiple albums that...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Terry Guest, playwright of OAK at Alleyway Theatre.  Terry Guest is an award winning playwright, actor, director and producer. His play The Magnolia Ballet had its National New Play Network (NNPN) rolling world premiere in 2022. Other plays include: Marie Antionette and the Magical Negros, Milo Imagines the World,  At The Wak...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Eric Huebner and Alex Sesenton.   Eric Huebner is an Associate Professor and Chair of Music at the University at Buffalo (SUNY) where he maintains a studio of graduate and undergraduate piano majors and minors and teaches courses in 20th century piano music and piano literature. Alex Sesenton is the Associate Director of...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Preacher Lawson.  Preacher Lawson is a comedian best known for his energetic delivery, physical comedy, and charismatic stage presence. He gained national recognition as a finalist on America’s Got Talent in 2017 and returned for AGT: The Champions in 2019. Lawson also has a strong online following, sharing stand-up clips, co...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Sandy Rustin, actor and playwright of The Cottage at Alleyway Theatre. Sandy Rustin is a prolific American playwright, librettist, and actress whose works often blend sharp wit, feminist perspective, and a fresh take on classic forms. She is best known for The Cottage, which premiered on Broadway in July 2023, after years of regio...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Melissa Etheridge.  Melissa Etheridge is a Grammy-winning singer-songwriter and activist whose powerful voice and raw honesty have defined her decades-long career. Known for hits that blend rock, folk, and soul, she has captivated audiences with both her music and her fearless storytelling. Beyond her artistry, Melissa is a p...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kimberley Rampersad, Associate Artistic Director of The Shaw Festival, in Niagara-on-the-Lake, in Ontario, Canada.   Set against the backdrop of charming Victorian architecture and scenic vineyards, The Shaw Festival, was named for George Bernard Shaw, an influential Irish playwright and critic of the late 19th and early...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Lisa Ludwig, Executive Director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park.   Celebrating its 50th Anniversary, Shakespeare in Delaware Park is a beloved summer tradition in Buffalo’s Olmsted‑designed Delaware Park, offering free, professional Shakespeare performances under the stars on the iconic “Shakespeare Hill” near Hoyt Lake...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Keelie Sheridan, artistic director of Irish Classical Theatre Company and director of Crocodile Fever.  Set in Northern Ireland in 1989, Crocodile Fever, a surreal black comedy, follows two estranged sisters who reunite after their father’s supposed death—only to discover he’s still alive, igniting a wild, blood-soaked...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Dave Wedekindt, President of Artpark.  Artpark is a renowned cultural venue located on the scenic Niagara River Gorge in Western New York, offering a unique blend of art, nature, and community. Established in 1974, it hosts a variety of performances, festivals, and events that attract global talent and diverse audiences.&#160...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Kishi Bashi about his upcoming performance at Babeville Buffalo, Asbury Hall on May 12, 2025 at 8:00 PM. Tickets are available here.  Kishi Bashi is the stage name of Kaoru Ishibashi, a multi-instrumentalist, singer, and composer known for his innovative blend of indie pop, classical, and experimental music. In 2024 he releas...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Ryan Shaw, vocalist of Ryan Shaw: Masters of R&B, presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on Saturday, May 3, 2025, at 7:30 PM.   Ryan Shaw is a three-time GRAMMY®-nominated artist whose dynamic career spans Broadway, television, film, and concert stages around the world. He has performed with legends like Va...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, Host Daniel Lendzian speaks with Heidi Armbruster, actor and playwright of The Murder of Roger Ackroyd.   Heidi Armbruster is a New York-based theater artist committed to creating new work and reimagining classical literature. Her plays—including Mrs. Christie, Dairyland, Scarecrow, and Murder Girl—have been developed and produced at theaters such as Th...

On this episode of WNY Soundstage, host Daniel Lendzian speaks with composer Paul Moravec and guest conductor Dr. Malcolm J. Merriweather about Sanctuary Road, presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra at Kleinhans Music Hall on March 29 at 7:30 PM and March 30 at 2:30 PM.  Sanctuary Road is an oratorio composed by Paul Moravec with librettist Mark Campbell. It draws inspiration from th...