It's a comedy tonight!
And the wildest, funniest contemporary Shakespeare version I have seen, and the crowd roared with me.
Shakespeare Theatre Company presents the adaptation, Merry Wives by Jocelyn Bioh which she wrote for NYC's 2021 Shakespeare in the Park, all about West African immigrants and cultures in present-day Harlem.
And a boisterous, rowdy lot they are, indeed!
Mr. and Mrs. Ford (Nick Rashad Burroughs and Felicia Curry) own a laundromat while their friends, the Pages (JaBen Early and Oneika Phillips) have a hair salon.
Amidst an elegant setting of a three-story building at a subway stop, the haughty and laughable Falstaff (Jacob Ming-Trent) is hungry for all kinds of treasures and sets his sights on two wealthy women whose possessions he is in need.
Like many lovers who screw up when more than one is involved, Falstaff is a prime contender.
"Setting the attractions of my good parts aside, I have no other charms," he says, most assuredly with high confidence he'll succeed in his quests.
Alas, if you can imagine a mixup in Shakespeare: Falstaff sends both of his targets the same love letter!
But, being the savvy sisters they are, Ms. Page and Ms. Ford soon grasp what Falstaff is all about and they plan revenge. Saith Madam Page: "Wives may be merry, and yet honest too."
Time and again, the wives play tricks on the slobbery, wobbly Falstaff from the laundry room to the hair salon to the woods amidst spectacular sets by Lawrence E. Moten III.
The ladies lean, they twist their bodies and a few words.
Their husbands soon join the party, Mr. Page who says: "I do despise a liar as I do despise one that is false, or as I despise one that is not true" while the jealous Mr. Ford (Mrs. Ford will learn 'em!) claims it is "better three hours too soon than a minute too late."
Meanwhile, several suitors chase the Pages' daughter, Anne (Peyton Rowe), none more entertaining than the good Dr. Caius (Jordan Barbour) whose exaggerated antics made me laugh often.
Others in pursuit of the young lass are Fenton and Slender (Latoya Edwards in both roles).
Anne has her favorite, and so did I who could have watched Shaka Zu, an ensemble member, dance the night away.
Taylor Reynolds directs. Other cast members are Bru Aju, Kelli Blackwell, Rebecca Celeste, Sekou Laidlaw, Craig Wallace, and Tyrone Stanley.
The artistic team included Ivania Stack, costumes; Jeanette Oi-Suk Yew, lighting; Mikaal Sulaiman, sound; Nikiya Mathis, wigs and hair; Ashleigh King, choreographer; Nadia Guevara, associate director; Laura Smith, production stage manager;
Jazzy Davis and Stephen Bubniak, assistant stage managers.
Scholars say Shakespeare wrote the Merry Wives of Windsor to answer Queen Elizabeth's request for more of Falstaff, this time in love. Ms. Bioh's rendition keeps almost all of the original script first published 400 years ago. (Classics last!)
STC will have a special evening on Friday, Sept. 26 at 7:30 pm for guests to "mix, mingle, and be merry" at Harman Hall for Akwaaba Night with the show, cast and cultures.
What: Merry Wives
When: Through Oct. 5, 2025 at 7:30 p.m. with weekend matinees at 2 p.m.
Where: Harman Hall, Shakespeare Theatre Company, 610 F Street NW. Washington, DC 20004
Tickets: Start at $35
Audience: For adults and mature children
For more information: Call the Box Office at 202-547-1122, seven days a week, 12 – 6pm. The Box Office windows remain open until curtain time.
Duration: Almost two hours without intermission
Metro Stations: Gallery Place, Archives, Metro Center
patricialesli@gmail.com
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