Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor

The Merry Wives of Windsor explodes onto the stage as part of Rogue Shakespeare, a bold season add-on that throws the rules out the window and puts the play exactly where it belongs, in the hands of extraordinary actors. With no director shaping the action and just six days of rehearsal instead of the usual three and a half weeks, the company dives headfirst into Shakespeare’s language with their imagination fully unleashed. As Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe explains, that’s how Shakespeare used to do it, with the actors themselves making all the choices around staging, costumes, and scenery. The Merry Wives of Windsor is a fast-paced comedy of schemes, disguises, and delicious revenge, following the boastful Sir John Falstaff as he attempts to woo two wealthy married women simultaneously, sending them identical love letters, only to discover that Mistress Ford and Mistress Page are far smarter than he expects and join forces to outwit the swaggering knight in a series of increasingly hilarious pranks. Performances take place Tuesdays through Sundays at 7:30pm, with additional 2:00pm matinees on Saturdays, Sundays, and select Wednesdays. Runtime is approximately 2 hours and 30 minutes including a 15 minute intermission. A Symposium Series post-show chat with the cast and artistic team follows the August 22nd matinee.