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

Grant O’Brien on Making Classical Music Accessible, One Free Concert at a Time

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 Jacksonville Symphony and Augusta Symphony, leading a wide range of family, education, pops, film, and community engagement concerts. His credits also include conducting live-to-picture performances of [...]

Kevin Cirone on Cinematic Writing, Sherlock Holmes, and the Art of the New Play

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 Festival, Moonbox Theater Company, and multiple Boston Theater Marathon selections. His play, His Girl Watson: A Sherlock Noir, won [...]

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, [...]