Jennifer Joplin as Mistress Margaret Page and Abby Lee as Mistress Alice Ford in William Shakespeare’s THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR. Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.
There is something to make everyone laugh this holiday season at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company with Shakespeare’s delightful comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor” playing Nov. 15- Dec. 7 followed by the annual holiday blockbuster comedy “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” Dec. 13- 29, 2019
CINCINNATI, October 29, 2019 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is pleased to announce more details on their upcoming productions this November and December. Opening next on the mainstage from November 15th through December 7th will be William Shakespeare’s screwball comedy “The Merry Wives of Windsor” directed by CSC’s Producing Artistic Director, Brian Isaac Phillips. Following closely after that will be the 14th annual production of the beloved holiday classic, “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” on stage December 13- 29, 2019 and will, once again, be directed by Jeremy Dubin.
Originally written to make Queen Elizabeth I laugh, “The Merry Wives of Windsor” proves that women’s wits and wiles win the day! The bawdy, bombastic, and chronically cash-poor Sir John Falstaff has been raising hell in the quiet town of Windsor. When his massive bar tab outstrips his meager means, he needs to raise some cash—and quick. He hatches a plan to seduce two of Windsor’s most wealthy married women, but when they catch wind of his salacious scheme, they turn the tables on their would-be wooer, joining forces to teach him a lesson he won’t soon forget.
In honor of 100 years of the passing and ratification of the 19th Amendment, granting women the right to vote, CSC is setting the backdrop of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” in the Women’s Suffrage era for this silly and fun comedy. The soundscape of the production, constructed by Sound Designer, Douglas J. Borntrager, will feature Suffrage hymns and marches and original music will be composed by Ensemble member, Cary Davenport. The production will also feature a Bergamask dance with choreography by Ensemble member, Darnell Pierre Benjamin. The dance originated in Bergamo, Italy and is typically associated with lightheartedness and buffoonery.
Billy Chace, Miranda McGee Maggie Lou Rader, and Justin McCombs EVERY CHRISTMAS STORY EVER TOLD (AND THEN SOME). Photo by Mikki Schaffner Photography.
Following “The Merry Wives of Windsor” for the 14th straight year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is thrilled to offer a full season of holiday cheer in just a little more than 90 minutes with “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (And Then Some!)” by Michael Carleton, James Fitzgerald, and John K. Alvarez. This hilarious production is a non-stop holiday romp through everyone’s favorite Christmas stories performed by just four actors. Justin McCombs and Billy Chace, who are respectively 14th year and 13th year company members, return to poke fun at the holiday season, with returning special guest Miranda McGee, 10th year company member. CSC welcomes back for the 3rd season in this production, Resident Company Member Maggie Lou Rader!
CSC Director of Creative Education, Jeremy Dubin, returns to the director’s chair. This production is one of the most popular events in Cincinnati Shakespeare Company history breaking attendance and sales records every year. Director Jeremy Dubin remarks, “This cast has so much fun together that the show has become a very personal holiday tradition for all of us. It’s occasionally a little irreverent but always warm-spirited, and it’s the perfect panacea to all your winter woes.”
Please note that “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” is most appreciated by adults and older teens, and is not recommended for any theatergoers still young enough to believe in Santa.
All performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” and “Every Christmas Story Ever Told (and Then Some!)” are held at The Otto M. Budig Theater on 1195 Elm St in OTR, adjacent to Washington Park. Tickets start at $28. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the Cincinnati Shakespeare Company Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273), or visit us online at www.cincyshakes.com.
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About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. In the summer of 2017, the theater relocated to the Otto M. Budig Theater, a brand new facility in OTR. CSC’s repertoire is made up of the works of William Shakespeare, literary adaptations, and contemporary classics. CSC performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. Cincinnati Shakespeare is a member of the Theater Communications Group and the Shakespeare Theatre Association. Each year, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Education and Outreach Programs reach over 50,000 young people and underserved community members each season by taking Shakespeare into schools, parks, community centers and by hosting educational matinees of mainstage productions. In 2015, CSC was proud to become one of the first five theaters in the United States to “Complete the Canon” by producing all 38 plays by William Shakespeare. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to be Cincinnati’s stage for the classics!
About The 2019-2020 Season of the Woman:
From June of 1919 to August of 1920, these United States passed and ratified the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote. In commemoration of this centennial, Cincinnati Shakespeare Company will shine the spotlight on the Women of Cincinnati Shakespeare Company in our “Season of the Woman”, both onstage and off, and join organizations across the city in an ArtsWave led initiative called “Power of Her” to celebrate the 100th anniversary of Women’s Suffrage!
This season is also funded by ArtsWave. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company receives operating support from The Carol Ann and Ralph V. Haile, JR./U.S. Bank Foundation, The Ohio Arts Council, and The Shubert Foundation. The season’s marketing design sponsor is Grey Midwest. The Ohio Arts Council helped fund this program/organization with state tax dollars to encourage economic growth, educational excellence and cultural enrichment for all Ohioans. Production dates and information on the season are available online at www.cincyshakes.com.
About POWER OF HER:
POWER OF HER is a collaboration of organizations across the Greater Cincinnati region, united to activate and amplify women’s voices in the arts. Led by ArtsWave, and inspired by the women’s suffrage movement, the initiative salutes the women who came before us, and honors female leadership and woman-centric works of all kinds.
At its core, POWER OF HER underscores creativity as a vehicle for inclusion and equality by celebrating the female voice — and the many ways it champions a more diverse and vibrant world. Learn more at https://www.artswave.org/discover/power-of-her
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