WNY Soundstage
WNY Soundstage
Buffalo Rising
Explores WNY's creative economy through a series of conversations with artists, musicians, producers, directors, and authors from WNY and beyond. Join host, Daniel Lendzian, as he pulls back the curtain and gives listeners a behind the scenes look at current trends in the arts industry. What started during the pandemic as a series of free virtual concerts while stages were mostly dark, has turned into an in-depth reflection on current trends in the creative economy. Western NY's arts and cultural organizations generate more than $352.1 million in total economic activity throughout our region. Through this series we look at where the industry is heading with an evolving definition of art in all its forms, as well as feature the best our region has to offer across all artistic genres. In addition to this podcast, local event guides are posted monthly on BuffaloRising.com.   Hosted By Daniel Lendzian | a working artist, author, and educator. He has mentored thousands of students across the U.S. in classical and contemporary theatre techniques, as well as performed in hundreds of individual shows on international, national, and regional stages. Currently, he is a lecturer in SUNY Fredonia Department of Theatre and Dance as well as host of Buffalo Rising's WNY Soundstage podcast. Dan also writes micro-fiction and has devised dozens of original works of theatre. He is a certified Pilates Instructor and completed his Masters of Fine Arts at The University of Texas at Austin.
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 [...]
Mar 4
19 min
Danté Williams on Building Platforms Without Boundaries
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 regularly to NYC-based BLEU Magazine’s content production. No Label on INSPIRATION is an immersive cultural event at Legacy House [...]
Jan 30
16 min
Different from the Rest: Exploring the Art and Legacy of AP Gorny
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. Known nationally as a master printmaker, Gorny is also a photographer, sculptor, bookmaker, and performance artist. He is a [...]
Jan 25
36 min
A Conversation with Blockbuster Conductor Anthony Parnther
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 premieres at Carnegie Hall to collaborating with artists including Joshua Bell, Jessye Norman, RZA from Wu-Tang Clan, and Rihanna. One of today’s foremost film conductors, [...]
Jan 22
19 min
BPO UpClose, conversation with double-bassist Jonathan Borden
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 features shorter works spanning from the Renaissance to the 21st century, with musicians sharing insights and context throughout the performance. Following the concert, [...]
Jan 14
25 min
Sugar, Booze, an Unexpected Apology, and Big Holiday Energy with Ana Gasteyer
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 highlight her sharp wit and jazz-infused musical style.  Gasteyer is bringing her Sugar & Booze: A Holiday Spectacular [...]
Nov 25, 2025
16 min
Playwright Terry Guest on the power of new plays and the roots of OAK on stage at Alleyway Theatre
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 Wake of a Dead Drag Queen, Nightbirds, Andy Warhol Presents: The Cocaine Play, and A Ghost in Satin. [...]
Oct 29, 2025
22 min
UB’s Season of Sound: Conversations with Eric Huebner and Alex Sesenton
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 Community Engagement and Concert Director at UB.   UB School of Music has an incredible and robust season [...]
Oct 24, 2025
31 min
Laughing Out Loud with Preacher Lawson: Comedy, Life, and the Art of Connection
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, cooking videos, and vlogs on his popular YouTube channel. Preacher Lawson is performing at the Buffalo State Performing Arts [...]
Sep 26, 2025
13 min
Flipping the Script: Sandy Rustin on Writing Women Who Take the Lead in Farce
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 regional productions, as well as her adaptation of Clue, which has become one of the most-produced [...]
Sep 17, 2025
21 min
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