The Merry Wives of Windsor
Considered one of the most influential writers in the English language, Shakespeare's brilliance wasn't just in the stories he told, but in how he fundamentally reshaped the English language to tell them. His ability to recast the meaning of words allowed his creativity to reshape our mental palette like clay, as evident in his classic Shakespearean comedy, The Merry Wives of Windsor. When a character declares they are feeling "merry," you can expect them to embrace humor, seek out a cheerful beverage, and perhaps stir up a bit of playful chaos. In Shakespeare's play The Merry Wives of Windsor, the wives are vibrant, playful, and mischievous characters. With their sharp wit and spirited personalities, they engage in an entertaining battle of the sexes, showcasing their ability to outsmart their male counterparts in a delightful, humorous way.
The story follows Sir John Falstaff, an overweight, lecherous, and cash-strapped knight who decides to solve his financial woes by wooing two wealthy married women, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page. To save time, he sends them identical love letters. Although Falstaff's weight was the central joke of the play, being overweight during the Elizabethan era was considered a powerful social signal of wealth and status, which he admitted to use in his wooing of the wives. Unbeknownst to Falstaff, the two wives were close friends. They immediately compare notes, realize Falstaff's game, and decide to turn the tables on him, plotting a series of elaborate humiliations for Falstaff through a series of comical events, such as his hiding in a basket of soiled linen to avoid an angry husband, dumped into a river and lured into a forest disguised as a hunter with antlers on his head, where children dressed as fairies pinch and burn him with tapers until he confesses his sins. Shakespeare includes a humorous subplot involving a jealous husband, Master Ford, who attempts and consistently fails to catch his wife in the act of cheating. Additionally, three suitors compete to win the hand of Mistress Page's daughter, Anne, in marriage.
Jason Simon delivers a captivating performance as a charismatic yet deeply flawed master manipulator, whose hubris ultimately led him to become a victim of his own overwhelming vanity. Simon's magnificent white beard, which made me think of Santa Claus and Christmas in April, was spectacular, and he portrayed Sir John Falstaff with great splendor. The Master/Mistress roles showcased an impressive cast, including Chike Johnson as Master Page. Johnson, the level-headed master, in contrast to the more destructive, suspicious Master Ford, played brilliantly by Timothy Edward Kane. Ora Jones brought Mistress Page to life with a blend of grace and skillful humor, reflecting her inspiring ability to infuse every role with balanced brilliance. Issy Van Randwyck's portrayal of Mistress Ford, a blend of wit and desirable mistress of Falstaff, was simply outstanding. Other notable performances include Sam Bell-Gurwitz (Fenton), who effortlessly rattled off Shakespearean words in the enthralling scene that captures the essence of Shakespeare's language, describing his contempt for Anne Page's parents, who sought to marry her to other suitors. Nate Burger brings an entertaining edge to the role of Dr. Caius, the ill-tempered, egotistical Frenchman ready to fight anyone who challenges his authority and desires, which sounds vaguely familiar to what we're experiencing today. Nick Sandy's role as the well-meaning but meddlesome Welsh parson, Sir Hugh Evans, who serves as a comedic foil to Dr. Casius, was both amusing and engaging. Teddy Gales, as Bardolph, delivered a humorous dose of buffoonery that had everyone chuckling. At the same time, Alex Weisman as Slender and Paul Oakley Stovall as Shallow captivated the audience with their quirky charm and wit.
Together, the entire ensemble set a joyful, laughter-filled tone that resonated throughout the performance. The Merry Wives is a rambunctious comedic, farce, filled with slapstick humor, which I'm not usually a fan of this kind of humor. Still, this production is hilarious.
⭐⭐⭐1/2
Chicago Shakespeare Theater
The MERRY WIVES of WINDSOR
Written by Wukkiam Shakespeare
Directed by Phillip Breen
APR 2–MAY 3, 2026
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