Radio Catskill - Curtain Call with Tom Candela

This week on Curtain Call, Tom sits down with performer Drita Kabashi and director Meghan Finn to talk about A Trojan Woman — a one-woman theatrical adaptation of Euripides’ The Trojan Women, often considered the first anti-war play in Western theatre. Drita Kabashi carries the entire production in this one woman show, stepping into ten different characters under the direction of Meghan Finn, Artistic Director of The Tank. Together, they share how this ancient story continues to feel urgently modern, and why its message of loss, endurance, and humanity still matters today — making this a powerful way to begin Curtain Call’s first episode of 2026!

This special Holiday Best-Of edition of Curtain Call brings together some of the most inspiring voices and moments from recent seasons.  Tom looks back to some of his favorite episodes, celebrating the artists, storytellers, and creative visionaries who are shaping our region’s theatre and arts community. From bold innovators and cultural advocates to devoted champions of local storytelling, this episode offers a rich tapestry of conversation, creativity, and connection. It’s a heartfelt look back, a hopeful look ahead, and a reminder that theatre isn’t just something we watch — it’s something we share, protect, and pass along.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom welcomes Joanna Sherman and Michael McGuigan of Bond Street Theatre, an internationally recognized company dedicated to promoting peace, human rights, and mutual understanding through the arts. Founded in 1976, Bond Street Theatre has brought theatre-based programming into refugee camps, post-conflict regions, prisons, schools, and communities rebuilding after trauma in more than forty countries worldwide. In this in-depth conversation, Sherman and McGuigan share the origins of the company, its mission-driven work, and how theatre becomes a powerful tool for education, healing, and connection in some of the world’s most challenging environments.

On this week’s episode of Curtain Call, Tom sits down with Catherine Montesi, a theatre maker, journalist, and arts advocate whose work spans accessible performance, community storytelling, and public service. Catherine shares her experiences as an ensemble member with Bluelaces Theater Company, where she helps create multi-sensory productions designed for individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. She also discusses her time with Story Pirates, her commitment to accessible theatre, and her work with the Delaware Valley Arts Alliance.

This week on Curtain Call, Tom Candela sits down with actor and playwright Douglas Taurel, the creator of the acclaimed one-man show The American Soldier. In this moving episode, Tom and Douglas explore the real wartime letters and unforgettable characters that bring to life the sacrifices of veterans and the families who love them.This is theatre that changes people—opening conversations and shining a light on the invisible wounds of war.