BUFFALO, N.Y. — If you've walked in Delaware Park near Hoyt Lake this week, you may have noticed crews starting construction on the stage at Shakespeare Hill, where preparations are underway for the organization's 49th season.
"It's so funny to meet people over the years, they think the stage is here all year long and it's not," Executive Director Lisa Ludwig said. "We say it's a beautiful flower that just happens to come up in May and June. We started construction on monday and luckily the weather's been great, and we're ahead of the game."
This year's shows are "The Winter's Tale," which opens June 20th and runs through July 14th, and "The Comedy of Errors," which runs July 25th - August 18th. There's also a touring show that will stop by 25 different venues that opens on June 12th.
"It's actually going to be very fun this summer. The Winter's Tale is set it goes from the 50's to the 60's, and then Comedy of Errrors is kind of like a 70's game show, anyone who remembers Laugh In or things like that, the game shows of the 70's. So that's going to be a lot of fun as well," Ludwig said.
Shakespeare in Delaware Park entertains more than 45,000 people every summer.
"It might be somebody's first time ever seeing a live performance, or peopel are now coming back bringing their children or their grandchildren because it's something they did when they were young," Ludwig said. "Some people think Shakespeare is daunting. They think, oh I had to read it in high school and I didn't get it. But it's meant to be seen and heard."
All performances are free and run Tuesday - Sunday, and audiences are encouraged to bring a picnic.
"Once June 20th hits people can come six nights a week. People can come back as many times as they want," Ludwig said.
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