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Theater Talk: Director Kyle LoConti and Shakespeare in Delaware Park's A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK

L-R Steve Brachmann as "Flute," Mike Garvey as "Peter Quince" (aka "Wall"), Todd Benzin as "Bottom"
Peter Hall
L-R Steve Brachmann as "Flute," Mike Garvey as "Peter Quince" (aka "Wall"), Todd Benzin as "Bottom"

Director Kyle LoConti takes us "behind the curtain" (if there were a curtain) to talk about A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S WALK (through August 12) presenting five scenes from Shakespeare's play, all acted in the "Rumsey Woods" area of Delaware Park. In order to get the actors to their places for five different walking groups, she said "It was completely about the clock and the Excel spread sheet."

As "Queen Titania" (Robyn Horn) sleeps, her fairies keep watch in the air (Morgan Mincer and Reagan Zuber)
Peter Hall
As "Queen Titania" (Robyn Horn) sleeps, her fairies keep watch in the air (Morgan Mincer and Reagan Zuber)

The five scenes adapted from A MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM are presented in the "Rumsey Woods" (between Rumsey Road and Hoyt Lake close to "Shakespeare Hill). Upon arrival at look for the swag wagon (tee-shirts, mugs, and other tchotchkes for sale) at the top of the hill. You will then be directed to the starting area where your guide (one of three actors playing "Puck") will begin your groups tour. It's about a half mile walk.

Director Kyle LoConti
Shakespeare in Delaware Park
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Shakespeare in Delaware Park website
Director Kyle LoConti

Performance tours are held Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays and begin at 6:30, 7:00, 7:30, 8:00, 8:30 p.m.
Tours are limited to 25 participants per group. Please contact Sean Crawford at mgmt@shakespeareindelawarepark.org for large group accommodation.

Before you go, you might want to donate the "Family Friendly Guide" (think Playbill with fun games and insider information) here.

And for many more pictures, visit Anthony's blog "Theater Talk Buffalo" here.

As if the activity in the park weren't enough, this summer's second offering SHAKESPEARE & LOVE begins tonight, July 9, and runs concurrent with the "WALK" and has shows Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, July 9 through August 22 at venues throughout Western New York as follows:
7/9 - Parkside Lodge, Buffalo
7/10 - Hamburg Town Park, Hamburg
7/11 - Veterans Park Complex, West Seneca
7/15 - Orchard Park Recreation Department, Orchard Park
7/16 - Show Mobile - Aquatic & Fitness Center, Town of Tonawanda
7/17 - Cazenovia Park, Buffalo
7/18 - Freedom Run Winery, Lockport
7/23 - Oxford Park, Lancaster
7/24 - Galanti Park, Lackawanna
7/25 - Academy Park, Lewiston
7/30 - Raymond Klimek Veterans Park, North Tonawanda
7/31 - Penn Dixie Fossil Park & Nature Reserve, Hamburg
8/1 - Orchard Park Gazebo, Orchard Park
8/6 - Bassett Park, Amherst
8/7 - Niawanda Park, City of Tonawanda
8/8 - Hamlin Park, East Aurora
8/13 - Golden Age Center, Grand Island
8/14 - Locust Street Neighborhood Art, Buffalo
8/15 - Parkside Lodge, Buffalo

Listen for Theater Talk, Friday morning at 6:45 and 8:45 during Morning Edition.
Even though "semi-retired," Peter Hall continues to wear many hats. He is the Sunday afternoon host on WBFO’s “sister station,” WNED Classical where he has produced over 1,000 radio interviews with musical artists. If you see him at a theater with a pen in his hand, he’s probably getting ready to co-host “Theater Talk” with Anthony Chase (heard Friday mornings at 6:45 and 8:45 a.m. on WBFO) or to write a review for www.buffalorising.com. He is also a member of the "Artie Awards" committee (think “Tony Awards for Buffalo theaters”).
Latest Episodes
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter revel in the excellence of AN IRISH PLAY by Dan O'Brien at American Repertory Theatre in the Compass Performing Arts Center (545 Elmwood) with a fine cast. Only two shows left... tonight at 7:30 and Saturday afternoon at 5:00. You have all of April and a little bit of May to see Eileen Dugan and Peter Palmisano in ON A FIRST NAME BASIS. Please see the listings.PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews, especially his latest on the play SHELTERED.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss the 2023 "Best Musical" Tony-winning KIMBERLY AKIMBO at Shea's, putting the "fun" in "dysfunctional" with first-rate performances through Sunday and music by Jeannine Tesori. Also closing: EXIT STRATEGY at Road Less Traveled. You have a little more time to get to Desiderio's Dinner Theatre for the hilarious ON A FIRST NAME BASIS with two excellent Buffalo actors: Eileen Dugan and Peter Palmisano. PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews, especially his latest on the play SHELTERED.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.
  • This week on Theater Talk, Anthony and Peter discuss LUCKY STIFF (well done at Lancaster Opera House, although now closed), GOD OF CARNAGE (2nd Generation at the Smith Theatre), closing this weekend, and EXIT STRATEGY (Road Less Traveled) up through 3/22. Anthony went to NY to see ABOUT TIME, the third in the trilogy revue about the creators Richard Maltby and David Shire (of Buffalo), as well as TWO STRANGERS CARRY A CAKE ACROSS NEW YORK (a musical which will undoubtably come to Buffalo) and KIMBERLY AKIMBO which opens in Buffalo next Tuesday at Shea's. NOTE: One final performance added to THE BROTHERS SIZE this Friday, March 13 at 7:30pm! PLEASE SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews, especially his latest on the play SHELTERED.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.
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  • This week on Theater Talk, Peter (on the BTPM Broadway Trip to see JUST IN TIME, OPERATION MINCEMEAT, BUENA VISTA SOCIAL CLUB, THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG, and MAYBE HAPPY ENDING) and Anthony talk about Shea's 100th anniversary (to the day, Friday, January 16) which featured performers from shows currently on stage at other sold-out or nearl so venues, including (next door at Shea's Smith Theatre) SHREK: THE MUSICAL is highly entertaining. Down the block, at Shea's 710, Second Generation's MAMMA MIA! is a huge hit, that after the title song never stops for air, with a real who's who of Buffalo talent on stage and off. First Look successfully opened a new play, PRESERVATION by Deborah Yarchun (author of THE ALEPH COMPLEX seen at the Alleyway) as did Post Industrial Productions with BLOOD ON LINOLEUM OR RETAIL HORROR, (the title is apt), a new play by local playwright Ian Downes; and after dinner at Seamus in Lockport, Anthony saw Sean Ryan reprise his role as "Mark" in RENT. PLEASE SEE LISTINGS. Check out Anthony's blog theatertalkbuffalo.com, and remember: when getting tickets for anywhere, but especially the three Shea's venues, please go through Shea's box office, the producing company, or Ticketmaster. But DO NOT buy tickets from any other third-party vendor. SCROLL DOWN TO SEE LISTINGS.Click through, then scroll to see complete listings of what's on stage! Also, visit theatertalkbuffalo.com to read Anthony's reviews.For over 30 years, Theater Talk has been appointment listening on WBFO, featuring the insights of theater critic and historian, Anthony Chase. Chase co-hosted Theater Talk with Buffalo Broadcast Hall of Famer Jim Santella for many years. These days, it's Peter Hall. With more than 20 active producing theater companies in Buffalo alone, not to mention Shea’s Performing Arts Center and the Shaw Festival at nearby Niagara-on-the-Lake, Chase and Hall keep their calendars full, trying to see and share their insights on as many shows as possible.But Theater Talk is anything but a dry community arts listing service. Instead, with affection, good humor, and just the occasional rant, the segment provides snapshot reviews, recommends local productions, analyzes the Western New York theater scene and occasionally looks at what's happening on Broadway and across the nation.Chase is the founder of the Artie Awards, which recognizes excellence in Western New York theater and raises money for AIDS charities.