Merry Night In The Park

Some friends and I went to Delaware Park last night for a taste of brie and The Bard.  That’s Bill Shakespeare, for those of you who are unfamiliar with the nickname.  He’s kind of a big deal, huh?

Buffalo’s beloved Shakespeare In Delaware Park is going strong on 33 years of producing free outdoor Shakespeare for Western New York masses.  Distinguished actor and UB Professor Saul Elkin has striven to give people on this side of the state powerful free outdoor entertainment that rivals that which was made famous at the Delacorte Theatre in Manhattan’s Central Park.  For more than three decades, WNYers have taken in two Shakespearean plays a summer with many local actors on stage, a few from out of town, and the scenic backdrop of our beautiful Delaware Park.

This summer already saw the curtain rise and fall of “King Lear,” which featured Elkin taking on the title role for the last time.  Filling the comedy slot of the season is “Merry Wives of Windsor,” with the “fat knight” Falstaff searching for riches and love amidst many odds and a few pranks.  WNY stage favorite Norm Sham plays Falstaff.

To expunge the truth about our night in the park last night, we did not arrive on time for the curtain, nor did we stay past intermission.  (Though, as anyone who has been will attest, not everybody does stay past intermission.) I don’t normally arrive late or leave early from a night at the theater (I’ve only left a show once, because it was impossible to endure the horrible sound system in this particular venue; my ears hurt).  We kept ourselves quiet and respectful of those around us who were more actively watching, though we were in wonderful company with everyone else on the hill in enjoying a lovely night outside with friends, good food and some fantastic theater.  Long live the Bard!

“The Merry Wives of Windsor” runs Tuesday through Sunday through August 17 at 7:30 p.m., weather permitting, at the hill behind the Rose Garden in Delaware Park, off Hoyt Lake.  The show is free, though donations are gratefully accepted.

Here are some photos I took of our spot on the hill.  The above photo from “King Lear” is courtesy SIDP’s Flickr page.

Posted by on 08/01 at 12:07 PM