From a post on the Facebook group King Richards Faire/ BRF Past and Present.
Oyez, Ahoy and Hallo friends from Long Ago – here is the very last program from Chicago’s King Richard’s Faire – 1987. What none of us realized at the time was that long-time owners of the event, Richard and Bonnie Shapiro would lose the property for tax reasons. Ironically, the 1987 show had achieved great successes with a large, complex scenario, a talented ensemble cast, a number of seasoned variety acts as well as a very popular assembly of musical acts. Artistic Director John Mills had made KRF an example to all other faires in the genre of how to create a popular show that spoke to an audience with a balance of humor and historicity.
The scenario, written by Patti McKenny and Larry Cohen, was titled, “Call Me Comrade!” and involved visiting Russian royalty and a celebration of Olympic Games involving teams from England, Switzerland, Italy and Muldavia.
Some items of note:
The ensemble cast was almost entirely composed of veteran actors from previous seasons. Notable newcomers were Thomas Zielinski as Czar Ivan the Grateful and Jen Sweeney as Natasha
The Hanlon Lees Action Theater was the joust troupe of the faire this year.
Jose Granados and Douglas Kondziolka were fully involved in the Don Juan & Miguel Show this season and were not involved in the scenario.
The performance area in the southwest corner of the faire which had been used as a variety stage, a mud pit and a puppet theater was converted this season into a space for a maze.
A Gypsy Cove was set up behind the College of Wizards structure. The College of Wizards cast was modest this season due to the large requirement for performers for the Olympic games and also the deteriorating condition of the earthen structure that had housed the show in previous seasons. Kitsy Olson and her troupe performed as The Gypsy Dancers on the Dance Stage.
This year’s Mud Pit, populated by The Beggars, was situated approximately where the flush-able bathrooms are today.
A large canopy was rigged in the market area to provide shade for a patron dining area.
Several signature structures remained in place this season, including the Minstrel’s Glen Stage, the Cottage, the Washing Well, the Crow’s Nest, the Boar’s Head, and the King’s Stage.
After this season, very many traditions were set aside, but many members of the local ensemble cast remained with the theme park.
Old structures were torn down and new structures were built.
People generally dislike change but sometimes change is inevitable and the show goes on.
I am still hoping that programs from the 1973 through 1976 Chicago’s King Richard’s Faire will materialize. If and when they do I will endeavor to get them posted to this group. I also have programs from the Bristol Renaissance Faire from 1988 through 2014. I am hoping that programs from 2015 though 2021 will also show up at some point.
There have been many, wonderful photos posted to this group from some dedicated participants, fans and friends of the show. I look forward to seeing more of them.