Highly Recommended Chicago Shakespeare Theatre’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor is a raucous romp, full of innuendos, deceptions and salacious misadventures! This is the perfect play for anyone who might otherwise feel intimidated by seeing the name Shakespeare attached. 4 Spotlights.
I’m not sure why “Merry Wives of Windsor” isn’t called a farce –- since it has all the elements of farce – incomprehensible plot twists and random events, machine-gun fast delivery, split-second timing, pratfalls and physical comedy, mistaken identities and lovers with the wrong partners, and of course, slamming doors. The first act is set up – with hilarity following in the second.
Issy van Randwyck as Mistress Ford. Photo by Kyle Flubacker
The story is simple – Sir John Falstaff (Jason Simon) arrives in Windsor short on cash. Looking for a wealthy ‘benefactress’, he zeroes in on two wealthy married women, Mistress Ford (Issy van Randwyck) and Mistress Page (Ora Jones). When his servants, Pistol (Colin Huerta) and Nym (Tyler Ravelson, understudy for Zach Bloomfield) refuse to deliver his love letters to the women, Falstaff fires them.
In revenge, they tell the husbands, Ford (Timothy Edward Kane) and Page (Chiké Johnson) about Falstaff’s intentions. Page isn’t particularly worried, but the jealous Ford, disguised as Master Brook, tries to get close to Falstaff to figure out his plans.
Timothy Edward Kane as Master Ford. Photo by Kyle Flubacker
When the “merry wives,” Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, being good friends, compare letters, they find them to be identical. Neither is interested in Falstaff, but for their own amusement, they pretend to be interested. When Falstaff arrives for his assignation with Mistress Ford, Mistress Page is also there. When they hear Ford coming, they hide Falstaff in a laundry basket full of dirty, smelly clothes. While Ford is searching for Falstaff, the basket is carried out under his nose.
Meanwhile, three men are vying for the hand of Page’s daughter, Anne (Olivia Pryor). Page prefers the cousin of his good friend, Justice Shallow (Paul Oakley Stovall), Master Slender (Alex Weisman), who is something of a ‘free-spirit’ and not very good at the wooing. Mistress Page wants Anne to choose Doctor Caius (Nate Burger). Anne, a rebellious teen, wants nothing to do with the suitors chosen by her parents, she’s in love with Fenton (Sam Bell-Gurwitz), who spent all his money on high living.
Jason Simon as Falstaff & Ora Jones as Mistress Page. Photo by Kyle Flubacker
Not-to-be-missed, hilarious moment – the jealous Ford, let in on the laundry basket escape by Falstaff himself, bursts into his home and starts throwing laundry all over the stage – and the audience! You'll also have a big laugh at the costumes in the the midnight masque/hunt.
Also appearing: Rohan Rhys Degala, Dyland J. Fleming, Teddy Gales, Carmelo Kelly, James McCrackend, Diego Sanchez-Galvan, Nick Sandys Justice Tatum, Bret Tuomi and Nancy Voigts.
Jason Simon as Sir John Falstaff. Photo by Kyle Flubacker
The Merry Wives of Windsor runs through May 3rdin the Courtyard Theatre at Chicago Shakespeare Theatre on Navy Pier, Chicago. Parking in CST’s designated area in the Navy Pier Garage is available at a 40% discount with validation from CST.
Running time is 2 hours, 30 minutes, including an intermission. Performances are Tuesdays at 7:00 pm; Wednesdays at 1:00 & 7:00 pm; Thursdays & Fridays at 7:00 pm; Saturdays at 2:00 & 7:00 pm; Sundays at 2:00 pm. Tickets start at $58. FYI (312) 595-5600 or www.chicagoshakes.com