“This adds a terrific richness to our community. We desperately need this quality of art in all 
mediums in this town.”

 
“Keep them coming, 
it’s just great!”

 
“Great show – saw it five times. Especially those little fairies!”

 

 

Summer, Saratoga, Shakespeare – It just doesn’t get any better than that.
 

What the press is saying...
The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) 2005
"Spencer S. Christie, Andy Place and Christopher Rickett have an amazing ability to treat this script as it should be.  to wit, to quote the Bard -- who I suspect must have used that expression a time or two -- they keep it current with timely allusions, they keep it moving and they keep the audience involved."  by Bob Rose
Special to the Post Star
7/4/2005

 
"Cheers to the return of Shakespeare in a highly accessible, albeit lowbrow, free show in downtown's Congress Park that continues through next Sunday.  In 90 fast-paced minutes, you can catch up on "The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) -- shortened and significantly modified."
"The actors are energetic and articulate, the rapidly changing costumes are bright and funny...they know their Shakespeare well enough to laugh at him."  The Saratogian, 7/23/2005

 


Romeo & Juliet
2004
Lori McNally and Mark Thornton
photo by Michael Paras

 A classic gets lovely staging 
Review Published on 7/22/2004 
By BOB ROSE Correspondent 
IF YOU GO The Saratoga Shakespeare Company will repeat its production of "Romeo and Juliet" at 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday until July 31 in Congress Park. Admission is free. For information, call 884-4947. Shakespeare Company stages "Romeo and Juliet" nightly in Congress Park. This marks the group's fifth season of presenting Shakespeare in the Park and its first departure from comedy. The current production is remarkable in its staging and its effect. The outdoor arena comes alive with realistic sword fights, skillfully choreographed by artistic co-director William A. Finley; a beautiful stately dance routine; and some youthfully passionate love scenes believably played by Mark Thornton as Romeo and Lori McNally as Juliet.
 So many times, the teenagers come across as too childish for my taste, oblivious of anything but their thoughtless trysts and not worthy of their eventual deaths. But here, they seem genuinely in love. Their initial infatuation moves swiftly to a deeper bond, making their deaths tragic indeed. Fine acting extends through the entire cast of 17. Mark Salocks as Montague and Brian J. Coffey and Patricia L. Culbert as Lord and Lady Capulet bring genuine feeling to their roles as parents of the star-struck lovers. Donnah Welby's Nurse gives a fantastic performance that ranges from unforced humor as she wards off riff-raff with her oversized fan or clutches her aching back to credible grief upon finding Juliet "dead." In fact, the production's greatest achievement is its ability to run the full range of emotions with a sincerity that holds the audience's complete attention throughout. Shannon Michael Wamser's Mercutio, Brian Nemiroff's Tybalt, and Lary Opitz's Friar Laurence are just a few among many who constantly convince the audience with appropriate feeling and energy. Directed by Henry Fonte, the cast brings Verona to Saratoga in all its glory and mayhem. Young children in the audience were unbelievably attentive, always a sure way of judging this play's impact. The action is colorful, swiftly paced and often innovative in its design. It seems to flow naturally from the script and the characters. Costumes lend authenticity and visual appeal to the unfolding tragic tale while wisely chosen musical sound effects add to the emotional impact. At last, we have a version of this ageless tragedy that must be just as Shakespeare imagined. So often, that is not true.

 

Young actors serve up a fine 'Romeo and Juliet' 
By JEREMY STOLLER, Special to the Times Union First published: Thursday, 
July 22, 2004 review 
SARATOGA SPRINGS -- There's something especially fulfilling about watching one of the Bard's plays in the middle of a park, and free admission is pretty nice, too. - Learn more -Saratoga Shakespeare Company can sate your hankering for such entertainment. In addition to its location (Congress Park), and the power of this season's offering, "Romeo and Juliet," a strong cast makes this an enjoyable evening. Though not without some flaws, Saratoga Shakespeare's fifth annual production is well done. The familiar story of two teenage lovers from warring families relies heavily on young actors, and those in this production are on the whole successful. While they all manage to convey a passion and recklessness that reminds us of how youthful their characters are, there are several standouts. As Romeo, Mark Thornton displays a good mixture of youthful confidence and self-doubt. In the role of Romeo's friend Benvolio, Andy Place is both playful and caring, and Brian Nemiroff's Tybalt shows that this dangerous youth is more immature hothead than calculating villain. If Lori McNally's Juliet sometimes comes across as overly forceful rather than love-struck, the actress displays talent and skill nonetheless. The elder actors are equally impressive (although Brian J. Coffey's Capulet just doesn't seem menacing enough), and the members of the ensemble add vigor to all the scenes in which they appear. Under Henry Fonte's direction, the action and actors are always clear, and the humor of the piece is revealed. The sexual innuendo that seems to be one of the easiest subtexts to find in Shakespeare (not necessarily incorrectly) is present here, but is not inappropriately or excessively used. Things falter in a few of the more dramatic scenes, but the play is done justice by the company. Fonte has the performers make the poetic language seem spontaneous, not memorized -- quite a feat for Shakespearean dialogue. This is most noticeable in the balcony scene; while some of the lyricism may be sacrificed, the scene is enlivened by the approach. It is reassuring to know that Romeo and Juliet can still utter poetry about love and the night and the moon as if for the first time. Michael Blau's efficient set serves the production well, and Lloyd Waiwaiole's attractive costumes give a taste of old Verona. The fight choreography, by William A. Finlay, is exciting, and the music used throughout is a nice touch. As is often the case with outdoor productions, there were some microphone problems (in some pivotal moments during Tuesday's opening-night performance), but they should get worked out during the run. This is a classy evening from start to finish. THEATER REVIEW "ROMEO AND JULIET" Where: Saratoga Shakespeare at Congress Park, Saratoga Springs Performance reviewed: 6 p.m. Tuesday Running time: Two hours, no intermission Continues: 6 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday; through July 31 Tickets: Free (bring lawn chairs or blankets) Info: 884-4947; www.saratogashakespeare.com

 

In “The Comedy of Errors,” the brothers Wolfe have given us a zany play about zany brothers that is delightful summer fare.  The Saratoga Shakespeare Company has grown tremendously since its first effort a few years back.  This free production deserves our support.
Michael Santa Rita
The Daily Gazette, 7.26.02

 


The Comedy of Errors
2002

Saratoga Shakespeare Company’s rollicking production of “The Comedy of Errors,” played on an outdoor stage in Congress Park is the company’s best yet.

The cast of six Equity actors and a dozen students and community theater players, judiciously amplified by a much improved sound system, all speak clearly and boldly, so none of Shakespeare’s silly jokes are lost – not even on audience members who think they don’t know much about Shakespeare.
Mae Banner
The Saratogian, 8.1.02

A Midsummer Night’s Dream
2001
Michael Medico and Elisabeth Rogers
photo by Patricia Culbert
Fairies are afoot in Congress Park...The airy kids are cute, for sure, but they also get the job done with good acting skills and mercifully little hamming it up....`Midsummer’ is all about magic, and director William Finlay has found subtle ways to stress that. 
Michael Eck
Times Union, 7.30.01.

The production being staged “en plein air” in Congress Park is clever, well-acted, faithful to the requirements of the Shakespeare aficionado but at the same time considerate of those less familiar with the Bard on stage....So, take along a folding chair or a blanket, and something to munch on – better still, take along the whole family and take in this totally fun and accessible romp in the park Shakespeare style. 
Chuck Coleman
The Daily Gazette, 7.31.01.
While the fairies tempted weak mortals with delectables including apricots, dewberries and purple plums, they worked their magic on the audience as well, or maybe it was the pleasant midsummer night. 
Cari Scribner
The Saratogian, 8.1.01.

 

Skeptics, begone. Detractors, hold your tongues. The Saratoga Shakespeare Co. has brought off a bold and vigorous “Twelfth Night” that holds the attention of learned scholars and babes in strollers...Why didn’t we think of this before? 
Mae G. Banner
The Saratogian, 8.12.00.

Free Shakespeare in the Park. That’s a magic phrase that’s been missing from our area.... Saratoga Shakespeare Company’s first step is strong and auspicious and the group deserves to be supported in its early stages by both the city and an audience. 
Michael Eck
Times Union, 8.10.00.

Twelfth Night
2000
Hillel Meltzer and Lezlie Dana
photo by Dzamin Photography
Thumbs up and thanks go the the Saratoga Shakespeare Co. for pulling together its ambitious plan to present “Twelfth Night” several times throughout August. Generations mingled in an ideal midsummer setting for an interesting introduction, or reintroduction to this broad comedy. Here’s looking forward to next summer. 
Editorial
The Saratogian, 8.21.00.