Buffalo, N.Y. (WBEN) - You know it's summer in Buffalo and Western New York when Shakespeare in Delaware Park returns to Shakespeare Hill.
This year's Shakespeare in Delaware Park officially opens this Thursday, June 19, on the main stage at Shakespeare Hill, next to Hoyt Lake and behind the Rose Garden, off Lincoln Parkway near the Buffalo AKG Art Museum.
This year is a milestone season for Shakespeare in Delaware Park, as the professional theatre company celebrates its 50th year of performing in Delaware Park.
"We are excited every year, but being that it is our 50th anniversary, it is even more so," said executive director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, Lisa Ludwig. "Our founder, Saul Elkin, who 50 years ago had this idea, had always said he hoped it would last for a couple of years. Here we are, 50 years later, seeing 40-to-45,000 audience members every summer celebrating 50 years. We could not be more excited."
Ludwig says she's lucky to be able to be in attendance almost every night in the Buffalo summer to meet people locally and from afar who enjoy taking in free performances of Shakespeare.
"It might have been the first show they ever saw 50 years ago, when they came with their family, and now they're adults, maybe bringing their children or their grandchildren. It's so cool because it's a family tradition," Ludwig said with WBEN. "Whether people bring their families, their friends, whether it's a date night, it's just so wonderful. And it's sometimes people's first experience with live theatre or their only that their family can go to together and enjoy."
Shakespeare in Delaware Park has already kicked off the season with its touring production of Romeo and Juliet, visiting different venues throughout Western New York when there's not a performance on Shakespeare Hill. Thursday, though, kicks off the first of two shows set to take place on the main stage: "Twelfth Night" from June 19 through July 13, and then "Richard III" from July 24 through Aug. 17.
All shows during the week on the main stage in Delaware Park run Tuesdays through Sundays.
"We auditioned way back in November, we had over 185 actors audition for us this summer," Ludwig noted. "Eileen Dugan will be directing 'Twelfth Night', we're so happy to have her back. She's an amazing director and actress. And we've got a nice mix in that show of veterans who people love to see: Norm Sham, Todd Benzin, Chris Hatch, Kevin Craig. Rebecca Elkin, so there's a great group there.
"Then 'Richard III', we are so excited our director is Buffalo's Greg Stuhr. He grew up in Eden and left Buffalo a while ago to do Broadway and TV and movies. He was recently in 'Good Night, and Good Luck'with George Clooney on Broadway, and he's coming back this summer to direct 'Richard III'. So we're so happy to have him back, and Chris Avery will be starring as Richard. So we've got amazing cast and crew this summer."
Ludwig adds there's set to be a special indoor production taking place this September, as part of the 50th anniversary celebration. The company is going to be doing a co-collaboration for Curtain Up with Road Less Traveled Theatre Company, doing a production of Lauren Gunderson's "The Book of Will".
For anyone that has yet to take in the Shakespeare in Delaware Park experience, Ludwig calls it a "community picnic", where there just happens to be a free and professional Shakespeare performance taking place.
"I always recommend to people to bring along a lovely picnic, your favorite beverage, blanket or chairs - you can use either of those on the hill," she said. "We actually also rent chairs, if people would like to have us set up chairs for you before you come. A lot of people like to get there early to set up their place on the hill that they love, but I always recommend - our shows start at 7 p.m. - you might want to get there by 6-to-6:15 p.m. to make sure you get a good spot on the hill."
For those who don't want to walk or can't walk as far, there is a golf cart shuttle service on Rumsey Road people can take advantage of
"I just say pack a picnic, and enjoy a beautiful night in the beautiful Olmstead Park under the stars and listen to Shakespeare!" Ludwig added.
You can find more about this year's shows and locations for the touring show at ShakespeareInDelawarePark.org.
In the case of inclement weather or if a show is forced to cancel, Ludwig says be sure to check the company's website, or follow its Facebook or Instagram pages.