By Barbara Arnstein
Besides the two Shakespeare plays in Buffalo’s Delaware Park this summer, a touring production entitled “Fools and Foes” travels to perform in communities around Western New York. The one-hour production, also from “Shakespeare in Delaware Park” (SDP) features scenes from Shakespeare’s plays, including “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”, “Henry the Fourth, Part One”, “Romeo and Juliet”, “The Tempest”, “Othello”, and others. It includes six actors: Devin Klumpp (yes, he spells it with two p’s); Paige Cummings, Cody Gooley, Camille Keeves, Sue McCormack and Julianna Tracey. It was directed by Nathanial Higgins, and Norman Sham is the Production Manager and Outreach Associate.
About the show, Devin Klumpp commented, “It’s a showcase of the versatility of the actors. You get a taste of some of Shakespeare’s darkest and most light-hearted scenes, all performed by great local actors.” Paige Cummings said, “My favorite moment in the show is at the end of the ‘Henry the Fourth’ scene. Devin and I go non-stop for almost a full ten minutes trading barbs and then at the end have this beautiful precious moment that really is the heart of the show. I’m really looking forward to performing at Sahlen Field! It should be an unforgettable experience that not a lot of actors can say they’ve had.”
Sue McCormack is also an English teacher at Cheektowaga Central High School, where she’s also the Musical Director and advisor to the Performing Arts Club. She said, “We visited a nursing home in Kenmore and the residents loved the show! Some of the folks can’t get out to the mainstage performance on the hill, but still love live theater. It’s a great reminder of why the tour began in the first place. We have the opportunity to provide access to live performance. I love performing Quince’s monologue during our last scene, from ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ because it sets the tone for a fun and hilarious ending.” Camille Keeves commented, “There’s something for everyone to enjoy, with a balance of comedy and drama. It’s a great introduction to Shakespeare.”
The fourteen remaining shows this summer (out of a total of twenty-one) are all at 7pm At The Freedom Run Winery (5138 Lower Mountain Road in Lockport, NY), on July 18th, there will a performance at 4:30pm, as well as at 7pm.The other performances will be at: Richard Pascucci Bandshell, Oxford Avenue, Lancaster, NY, on July 16th; Erie Canal Boat Seneca Chief (Commercial Slip @ Canalside): 44 Prime Street, Buffalo, NY, on July 17th; the Tonawanda Show Mobile, 1 Pool Plaza, Buffalo, NY, on July 20th; Clarence Town Park, at 10405 Main Street, in Clarence, NY, on July 21st; Kenan Center, 433 Locust Street, Lockport, NY, on July 22nd; Hennepin Park Gazebo, 4th & Center Streets, Lewiston, NY, on July 27th; Elmwood Village Charter School, Hertel location, at 6665 Hertel Avenue, Buffalo, NY, on August 3rd; Taylor Road Park, 6765 Taylor Road, Hamburg, NY, on August 10th; Bassett Park Ampitheater,359 Klein Road, (corner of Youngs Road)Williamsville, NY, on August 17th; and Sahlen Field, 1 James D. Griffin Plaza, Buffalo, NY, on August 24th. “Taming of the Shrew” will be performed in Delaware Park from July 23rd to August 16th, Tuesday through Sunday evenings at 7 pm. For more information, go to shakespeareindelawarepark.org