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MONMOUTH – The first Shakespeare play of Theater at Monmouth’s “What Dreams May Come” golden anniversary season is “Merry Wives of Windsor.”
Sir John Falstaff has a devilish plan to win the hearts and fortunes of the women of Windsor, but they will give him a run for his (lack of) money.
The play opens at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, July 4, and runs through Aug. 18, including matinee and evening performances on both weekdays and weekends.
In Shakespeare’s only domestic comedy, laughter reigns supreme and feminine wisdom triumphs over jealous husbands, confused lovers, and one corpulent knight. Sir John Falstaff arrives in Windsor in need of money. Instead of searching for work, he plots to woo not one, but two wealthy women. Disguises and complications abound as the two women teach Falstaff a loving lesson with manipulative messengers, secret scandals, and a flurry of forgiveness.
“Putting ordinary people in extraordinary circumstances is the classic recipe for comedy, and right now, we could all use a hearty laugh – with a little grace and forgiveness thrown in for good measure,” said director Catherine Weidner. The production incorporates physical comedy and biting banter to explode the quippy and wily romp Falstaff sets off with his woefully transparent antics. Windsor’s women are expected to be effortlessly seduced and easily duped, but they’re too smart for him — instead they turn Falstaff’s plan on its head and demonstrate that women are not rash or shallow thinking.
“We’ve set the play in a time when ‘Father Knows Best’ in part to set that concept on its ear, to focus on how far we’ve come, and acknowledge the journey ahead,” said Weidner. “Our production takes the long view: we’re all in this together, our words and actions matter, and we need to look at our own behavior and make changes.”
Merry Wives of Windsor features Amber Baldwin as Mistress Page, Mark S. Cartier as Shallow, Quinn Corcoran as Slender, Jaron Crawford as Fenton, Joseph Dolan as John Robert, Michael Dolan as Rugby, Caitlin Duffy as Host, Sarah Goldman as Anne Page, Robbie Harrison as Simple, James Noel Hoban as Master Page, Lawrence James as Master Ford, Tessa Martin as Mistress Quickly, Robert Najarian as Dr. Caius, Caitlin Ort as Mistress Ford, and Bill Van Horn as Falstaff. Set design by Daniel Bilodeau, costume design by Clara Jean Kelly, lighting design by Heather Crocker, sound design by Rew Tippin, and fight choreography by Robert Najarian.
For ticket, schedule and other information, visit www.theateratmonmouth.org, email the box office at boxoffice@theateratmonmouth.org or call 207-933-9999 after 11 a.m.
