Lesser-known ‘adventure story’ makes its debut with Shakespeare in Delaware Park

By Gabrielle Dubreville

Shakespeare in Delaware Park has been a summer Buffalo tradition for the past 51 years. But this year’s season is kicking off with a brand new show.

It’s “Pericles, Prince of Tyre,” which, according to SIDP Business Development Manager Brendan Didio, is “an adventure story.” Following Pericles as he is separated from his family, the play traces his journey and adventures as he tries to reunite with them. 

Lisa Ludwig, the executive director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park, says, “It’s pretty cool in 51 years to have never done it before. This is my 20th season, and it’s the first time in 20 years that we’ve done something that we’ve never done before.” 

The play will be performed on the hill from June 18 through July 12. Performances begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday through Sunday. 

There will be a mix of actors and actresses who have worked with Shakespeare in Delaware Park, as well as brand new actors on the stage. The lead actors are Sean Patrick Ryan, Heather Casseri and Lauren Farrow.

Directed by Scott McKenna Campbell, the Shakespearean classic takes on a new concept in Buffalo. It’s set in the Dust Bowl with original music arranged by Tom Makar and live musicians on stage.

When asked what made “Pericles” right for this season, Ludwig said, “We put together an artistic committee… and we would open it up to directors to submit a proposal.” Out of the 23 proposals they received, four of them were for “Pericles,” which was “odd for them.” 

“In all our years of getting proposals, not only was this the first ‘Pericles,’ but to get four in one year,” Ludwig said.

Ludwig is most excited for people to see a story they may have never seen before. As “Pericles” is not included in the First Folio (the most recognized collection of Shakespeare’s plays, with 36 scripts), people may not be familiar with the play. 

She said, “Bring your favorite bottle of soda and your favorite snacks, and see something that I could probably guarantee you’ve never seen before.”

Ludwig describes the show as “A group of travelers during the period of the Dust Bowl, who come to tell a story.” 

Didio, will will direct “Taming the Shrew” in SIDP’s second production this summer, describes “Pericles” as “Shakespeare meets Steinbeck” and said that it has a “Grapes of Wrath feel.”

But fear not, Shakespeare fans; while the concept is set in the 1930s, the script itself will remain more traditional. The goal of the show is to be two and a half hours long, including the intermission; Director Scott Campbell expertly cuts the script to fit that time. 

Didio said it’s important to find the “spine of the story” in order to make it “accessible to everyone.” 

“Accessibility is one of our core values at Shakespeare in Delaware Park,” Didio said. “We’ve been free for 51 years … also accessibility in how we are delivering stories and how folks are able to receive those stories.” 

Both Ludwig and Didio have been involved in many productions over the years. Ludwig has worked as an actress for years and has been “blessed to work on pretty much every stage in Buffalo,” including her notable experiences on the Delaware Park stage.

Ludwig describes the magic of being on the hill: “There’s nothing like working at the park. You really are a part of everything, to walk out on that stage in broad daylight with some 2,000 people, and then as the sun is setting, when all of a sudden the lights come on, and the people are lighting their candles and the stars come out, it really is communal as an actor, even as it’s communal in the audience.”

Didio agreed, saying “There is absolutely nothing like playing at Shakespeare Hill.” 

Their biggest challenge in producing a play on the hill? Weather. As we all know, our beloved Buffalo has a challenging climate. Previous productions have been rained out. Two seasons ago, they had 12 rainouts; last season, only half a rainout. 

So we all hope for beautiful weather. Ludwig said, “So far, the season’s been going great. Our hard work is done now. We just get to enjoy the summer and the shows.” 

As accessibility is one of their core values, they want anyone to enjoy the show. Even if there are mobility issues or time restraints, there are ways you can still make it to the show.

You can rent out chairs on the hill. If you have a large party, you can rent a special-events platform so everyone can enjoy the show comfortably. They even offer a golf cart service from  parking on Rumsey Street.

CAST:

• PERICLES – Sean Patrick Ryan
• SIMONIDES/ANTIOCHUS/2ND JOHN – John Profeta
• HELICANUS/1ST GENTLEMAN – VerNia Garvin
• CLEON/TYRIAN SOLDIER – Cory McCants
• LYSIMACHUS/3RD FISHER/ATTENDANT – Ryan Okun
• BOLT/1ST FISHER/1ST SAILOR – Charlie Morse
• THALIARD/2ND GENTLEMAN/3RD PIRATE – Niko Feliciano
• MARINA/1ST LORD-TYRE – Lauren Farrow
• DIONYZA/DIANA – Marie Hasselback-Costa
• CERIMON/PANDAR – Kate Olena
• BAWD/LYCHORIDA – Pamela Rose Mangus
• THAISA/1ST JOHN  – Heather Casseri
• LEONINE/2ND SAILOR/1ST LORD-PENTAPOLIS – Vanessa Vacanti
• DAUGHTER/2ND FISHER/2ND LORD – Eleen Waffner
• BAND/PHILEMON/MESSENGER – Tom Makar
• BAND/1ST KNIGHT/1ST PIRATE/2ND LORD – Zachary Kushner
• BAND/2ND KNIGHT/2ND PIRATE – Libby Zech
  BAND/LORD – John Martz
• BAND/3RD KNIGHT/MYTILENE SAILOR/ESCANES – Aidan Heaney

Gabrielle Dubreville is a Buffalo Hive intern who will be a senior at SUNY Fredonia in the fall.