Shakespeare in the Park: The Merry Wives of Windsor
Directed by Stefan Lingenfelter
Larger-than-life knight John Falstaff attempts to woo two witty wives for financial gain, and he finds himself outwitted at every turn. This riotous Shakespeare comedy features a cast of colorful characters in addition to the roguish knight and merry wives: a jealous husband, a feisty French doctor, young amorous lovers, meddling neighbors and witty pranksters: all contributing to a whirlwind of mistaken identities, practical jokes, and joyful chaos that culminates in (of course) a wedding and community
celebration!
Roles for 4-9 females, 6-11 males (ages 18+).
Auditions: Sunday and Monday, May 18 and 19, both evenings at 7:00pm
Production dates: July 18-20, 25-27 at Preston Park in Butler Township
Tap to view Character descriptions:
Sir John Falstaff – A boisterous, vain knight with an insatiable appetite for wine, women, and money
Mistress Ford – A clever, spirited wife who orchestrates elaborate schemes to punish Falstaff’s advances
Mistress Page – A quick-witted, practical woman who partners with Mistress Ford in mischief
Master Ford – A jealous husband prone to suspicious rages who disguises himself to test his wife’s fidelity
Master Page – A genial, trusting husband who remains confident in his wife’s virtue
Anne Page – A young heiress pursued by three suitors, seeking to marry for love rather than arrangement
Fenton – A charming gentleman of noble birth but little fortune who sincerely loves Anne Page
Slender – An awkward, simple-minded gentleman favored by Master Page as Anne’s suitor
Simple – Slender’s aptly-named servant who bumbles through errands with well-meaning incompetence
Doctor Caius – A hot-tempered French physician with comical English who competes for Anne’s hand
Sir Hugh Evans – A Welsh parson with a thick accent who gets entangled in the town’s schemes
Shallow – A country justice who is proud of his status and eager to see his nephew Slender married well
Pistol – Falstaff’s disloyal servant who betrays his plans to the husbands
Mistress Quickly – The doctor’s housekeeper who acts as a messenger between all parties, profiting from everyone’s schemes
Host of the Garter Inn – A merry, mischievous innkeeper who enjoys stirring up trouble
Sign up for the audition here: