Elkin founded Shakespeare in Delaware Park in 1976

(Image above from family Facebook post)

Saul Elkin, the founder and for most of the past 50 years the heart of Shakespeare in Delaware Park died on Monday (July 14, 2025).

His family announced his death Tuesday in a post on Facebook, saying, “On behalf of the whole Elkin family, we are heartbroken to share that Saul passed peacefully yesterday morning surrounded by our love. Details regarding a celebration of his truly incredible life will be posted in the days ahead. We appreciate the love and support that has poured his/our way since his stroke in November. We know how deeply loved and cherished he is by so many of you.”

The post concluded by quoting “Hamlet”:

“Goodnight sweet prince. And flights of angels sing thee to thy rest.”

According to Elkin’s bio on the Shakespeare in Delaware Park website:

“Dr. Saul Elkin is the Founder and Artistic Director of Shakespeare in Delaware Park which was established in 1976.He began his career as a child actor in New York City. In the years that have followed, he has acted in, or directed over 250 productions on and off Broadway, in films, in summer and regional theatres, and briefly on the soap opera “Edge of Night”. He holds a B.A. and an M.F.A. from Columbia and a Ph.D. from Carnegie-Mellon University. He taught Theatre at the State University of NY at Buffalo beginning in l969 and served as Chair of the Department from l967-85, from l988-l99l, and was Interim Chair fall semester 2000. He was the first UB recipient of the Chancellor’s Award for Excellence in Teaching. In 1995, his name was placed in the Western New York Theatre Hall of Fame. He was honored with the title of Distinguished Service Professor in 1996. In 1998, he was honored by the Arts Council as “Outstanding Individual Artist of the Year.” … He appears frequently as an actor in area theatres and is Co-Founder and Artistic Director for Jewish Repertory Theatre.”

Elkin died the day after “Twelfth Night,” starring his daughter, Rebecca, closed its run as the first half of the 50th season of Shakespeare in Delaware Park.