Shakespeare in Delaware Park (SDP) is rolling right through Summer 2008. After a rainy start to the 33rd SDP season, King Lear closed Sunday July 13th, entertaining record crowds. Lisa Kramer has been Managing Director for SDP for three years. “The threat of rain in the beginning of the season seemed to keep some audience members away (having them wait for the perfect night to visit the hill), and once those nights hit… the hills were packed to the brim,” said Kramer. “Each summer we see between 40 and 50 thousand audience members.”
The professional outdoor theatre will now continue with The Merry Wives of Windsor. This comedy is known to be the only Shakespeare play to deal exclusively with contemporary English life, and features the famous “fat knight” Sir John Falstaff, played by local favorite Norm Sham. The production is a feel-good Shakespearean comedy. Some jokes were “in jokes” during Shakespeare’s time, but Kramer assured that the director Steve Vaughan and the cast members have made the proper alterations to make all the humor accessible to everyone.
As a special feature for this production, Artistic Director Saul Elkin will present a 30 minute pre-show talk with the audience at 6:45PM on Wednesday July 30th, and August 6th, before The Merry Wives of Windsor performance.
As a traditional summer event, Shakespeare in Delaware Park is proud to be celebrating 33 incredible years of high-quality professional theatre, which remains FREE for the public to enjoy.
Kramer concluded, “Our audience is very important to us. Their attendance and support have kept Shakespeare in Delaware Park one of the largest free outdoor Shakespeare festivals in the country. We are also lucky to have wonderful sponsors such as M&T Bank, Erie County and NYSCA. Words of advice to our audience: Don’t let the threat of bad weather keep you away!”
Shakespeare in Delaware Park performances are held every evening (except Mondays) at 7:30. Shows take place on Shakespeare Hill in Delaware Park (next to Hoyt Lake, behind the Rose Garden off Lincoln Parkway, across the street from the Albright-Knox Art Gallery). Further information may be obtained at www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org or by calling (716) 856-4533.