On the Canal at Shea’s Smith Theatre

One shovel. One canal.

Infinite impact.

Embark on a fast-paced, whimsical adventure from concept to the inaugural journey for the 200th Anniversary of the Erie Canal.

On The Canal is an original musical written and directed by Neal Radice — a longtime Buffalo theatre artist — that tells the story of the Erie Canal’s creation through the eyes of visionaries, immigrants, and one fictional family whose journey mirrors the building of the canal itself.

With just six actors transforming into dozens of characters, On The Canal uses quick changes, inventive staging, and a moving original score to bring to life the story of the canal that transformed Buffalo and New York State.