**** I must start by stating that I am aware of many theater people NOT liking Shakespeare’s works. My wife is one of those people. Part of it is the language ( “Olde English”) and part of it is that the stories, in many cases, can be quite confusing. Let’s face it- mistaken identity is one of his key plots, and once again, even though not a major part of “The Merry Wives of Windsor”, he weaves it into the story. However, Jane, as well as many of the folks sitting in our area, understood where it was going.Director Phillip Breen has done a masterful job of utilizing the stage at Chicago Shakespeare Theater at Navy Pier. If you have not been to a production on their main stage, you need to know that it is a stage surrounded on three sides by audience and that the actors use the aisles to enter and exit as well as the actual stage areas ( both left and right). There are also times that they play directly to the audience- in this one items are tossed out to the seats, and the audience loves to be part of this action.
The set design by Max Jones, who also designed the magnificent costumes, with trap doors, moving bars, a living room suite that you might find if you were shopping today in one of our famous shops, lighting ( Marcus Doshi) and sound/original music (Lindsay Jones) and an all-star cast that makes this Shakespearean experience a delight, even for those who truly are not into his works. Just so you know – with an extended intermission, from start to finish is pretty close to three hours. note: Jane noticed- I didn’t think it was long at all.
The story involves one John Falstaff ( a character that Shakespeare used in several plays), played by the wild Jason Simon. Just watching him do some of the stunts that Breen gave him is worth the price of a ticket. He is one heck of a character builder. The play is filled with people who have desires and covers jealousy, love, fear, sexual overtones, adultery, treachery , and almost every other thing that Shakespeare covered ( or uncovered) in his other works. Rather than give away the items that make this production so sharp, I will tell you that Falstaff starts the story by offering letters be delivered to two ladies ( married ) that with the exception of their names is identical. He plans to woo them, but they find each other and see what he is doing, deciding to make him pay for it.
There are other stories involving other possible couples and how they come to be with their intended spouses as the wives of Windsor indeed put their plan into effect and have a merry old time. The two wives, Ora Jones (Mistress Page) and Issy Van Randwyk (Alice Ford) are absolutely amazing actresses and pull off their plan flawlessly. Well, perhaps you might say, not so flawless. Their husbands are played by Chike Johnson and Timothy Edward Kane, who brings a whole new side to Master Ford. His outrage is wonderful and anyone near to him should be very careful when he begins to fling things about.
The other shining lights in this production ( and they are all terrific) are Sam Bell-Gurwitz (Fenton), Zach Bloomfield ( Nym- tonight played by Tyler Ravelson), Dr. Caius ( Nate Burger), Robin (Rohan Rhys Degala), John Rugby ( Dylan J. Fleming), Bardolph ( Teddy Gales), Pistol (Colin Huerta), William (Carmelo Kelly), James McCracken, Anne Page (Olivia Pryor), Simple ( Diego Sanchez-Galvan), Sir Hugh Evans ( the always incredible Nick Sandys), Justice Shallow ( Paul Oakley Stovall) ,Windsor Boy ( Justice Tatum), Host (Bret Tuomi), Mistress Quickly ( the very funny Nancy Voigts) ,and Siender ( Alex Weisman doing what he does best). TERRIFIC WORK!
As you might guess there are some wonderful physical comedy touches and even some bicycle riding on the stage. The fight consultant, Nick Sandys is incredible at making it all seem real. Christopher Chase Carter was the movement coordinator. If you are sitting where the center door or left door is, you can watch a screen for the closed caption. Most of the actors project to the last row, but the younger performers not so much and with all the laughter, some of the words get lost in the shuffle. I would love to see the closed caption be on both sides as some of those in front of me were leaning to their side to view it and made it hard for me to see some of the wonderful action that Breen created.
“The Merry Wives of Windsor” will continue thru May 3rd with performances as follows:
Wednesdays 1:00pm & 7:00pmThursdays 7:00pm(on 4/23 a 1 p.m. performance as well)
Fridays 7:00pm
Saturdays 2:00pm & 7:00pm
Sundays 2:00pm
Show Type: Comedy- yes, Shakespeare wrote comedies and in this one you will laugh a lot!
Box Office: 312-595-5600
The theater is located at Navy Pier, 800 East Grand Avenue. The parking garage is easy to get into ( go to where the Shakespeare sign is) and the theater will get you a 30% discount, so bring your ticket for validation.
There are a number of quick food choices on the first floor in the theater wing.
To see what others are saying, visit www.theatreinchicago.com, go to Review Round-Up and click at “The Merry Wives of Windsor”.
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