Shakespeare in Delaware Park’s 45th main stage summer season was put on hold this year due to the pandemic, but that has not stopped SDP from carrying on with the mission of free professional outdoor theatre. Their sold out "Live Intermezzo Season" began last Friday, Aug. 21, at the Olmsted Park Lodge Picnic area in Buffalo, with socially distanced touring productions (think “The Best Of The Bard”).
The rest of these sold out performances were or will be presented at Olmsted Park, Penn Dixie, Freedom Run Winery and Artpark.
Executive Director Lisa Ludwig, now in her 15th year with SDP, spoke (at a distance) with Theater Talk's Anthony Chase and Peter Hall, who wore his brand new SDP Summer of 2020 tee-shirt (pictured) to the studio. Masks (pictured below), and a few tees, are still available at their website.
The show revolves around A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM character, Quince (Marie Costa) and her merry band of rude mechanicals (Angelo Heimowitz, Jamie Nablo, Zach Bellus) as they perform a series of scenes and monologues which are the Shakespearean equivalent of a Greatest’s Hits Album. Four actors and 45 minutes of entertainment socially distanced, not only for the limited 50 attendees per show, but also for the actors on stage, who wear shield masks which can be decorated, as they incorporate the lingo of COVID precautions in their scenes.
Although all original performances SOLD out two more performances were added (Saturday September 6 and Sunday September 7, both at 4 p.m. and both at Artpark) although they may also be sold out as you read this! Please follow the SDP webpage www.shakespeareindelawarepark.org and social media for the possibility of additional performance dates. If you are lucky enough to score tickets (limit 2) remember that due to state group gathering mandates (and that included Artpark) no one will be admitted without a reservation.
Masks are available for a donation to Shakespeare in Delaware Park.
