Friends Of The Buffalo Story, Red Thread Theatre, in association with Imagine Theatre,
and sponsor Erie Canal Harbor Development Corporation will present the world premiere
of On The Canal, book, music and lyrics by Neal Radice, at Shea’s Smith Theatre on
September 26 at 7:30 PM. The new musical commemorates the bicentennial of the
opening of the Erie Canal; the transformative event that linked the Great Lakes with the
Hudson River and Atlantic Ocean.
About The Show
On The Canal is a family show that faithfully tells of one of the richest aspects of New
York’s History. It’s a musical ride that flows from the mind of the first visionaries, who
dreamt of navigation through hundreds of miles of untamed land, to the exceptional New
Yorkers who built, expanded, travelled and lived by the Erie Canal.
From the first moment it was imagined by a prisoner
sitting in the Canandaigua jail, the Erie Canal was the
object of heated dispute. Multiple American Presidents
refused to support it, residents had no faith that it
could succeed, to say nothing of whether it could even
be constructed. The author informs the view from
above, by introducing us to the warm and intimate
perspective of the Sheehan’s; his invented Irish family
who dares to leave their small farm in Central New York
to make a new life on the Canal.
Background
The Erie Canal proved to be a pathway for dreamers
and entrepreneurs, religious revivalists, social activists,
suffragettes, abolitionists and even evolved to be part of
the Underground Railroad. It carried more immigrants west than any other trans-
Appalachian route; enticing newcomers who infused America with different languages,
customs, practices, and religions. Unfortunately, there was no group, organization or
movement that advocated for the welfare of New York State’s indigenous people as the
Canal cut through the lands of the Mohawk, Oneida, Onondaga, Cayuga and the very
heart of the Seneca Nation.
On October 26, 1825, New York Governor De Witt Clinton stood before the assembled
citizens of Buffalo, New York and declared the Erie Canal officially open. He stepped
aboard a packet boat named Seneca Chief and traveled the entire length of the Canal to
New York City where, in a grand ceremony, poured water from Lake Erie into the New
York bay, thereby accomplishing a “wedding of the waters.”
The Author/Composer/Director
On The Canal is the latest work by playwright, lyricist and composer Neal Radice. During
his more than fifty years directing and designing for theatre, he has authored or
composed the scores for over two dozen plays and musicals.
Mr. Radice is Founder of Alleyway Theatre in Buffalo, NY where he
served as Artistic Director for forty years. He began composing as an
undergraduate at University of Buffalo where he earned his Master of
Arts and Humanities. In addition to having directed or produced more
than two hundred stage plays, musicals or operas during the past half
century, he has created scenery, costumes, or lighting for again as
many productions. Mr. Radice has composed countless pieces of
incidental music for the theatre and his adaptation of A Christmas
Carol has been playing to sold out houses for over four decades and
will be moving to Rockwell Hall this year.
On The Canal will be choreographed by Madeline Allard-Dugan and the cast will feature
Elliot Fletcher Fox, John Kreuzer, Jasmine Ramos, Kate Mulberry, Gabrielle Nunzio and
Mathew Rittler.
Performance Schedule
Where: Shea’s Smith Theatre
When: Friday September 26 at 7:30 PM
Saturday September 27 at 4:00 PM and 7:30 PM
Sunday September 28 at 2:00 PM.
Tickets $30.00 general admission | $20.00 student
Availability Through the Shea’s Box Office, online at Ticketmaster.com
Also
There will be 3 free previews of selections from the show:
Where: At Canalside
When: Friday-Sunday, September 5-7, each at 4:00 PM.