Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing With the BPO

Leslie Odom, Jr. on Performing With the BPO

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 nomination for producing and starring in Purlie Victorious. His film and TV work includes portraying Sam Cooke in [...]

The Necessity of Joy: Douglas Lyons on the importance of joy and chosen family

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 the most-produced plays in America in 2022–23. His other works include Table 17 and Beau: The Musical. In addition to writing for Apple TV’s [...]

Dinner Party at the End of the World: a Conversation with Kristoffer Díaz

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 Prize for Drama and has been widely produced across the country. He most recently wrote the book for the Broadway musical Hell’s Kitchen, [...]

Barry Privett of Carbon Leaf on 30 Years of Music and Why Live Shows Matter More Than Ever

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, continues to showcase their knack for storytelling and rich, melodic songwriting. Carbon Leaf is coming to Buffalo [...]

Gotham Comes to Kleinhans: James Olmstead on Batman in Concert

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. Olmstead arranged the Danny Elfman score for Tim Burton’s Batman: In Concert, presented by the Buffalo Philharmonic Orchestra on March 14, 2026, at [...]