Shakespeare’s ‘most hilarious show’ is coming to Wichita parks. Where, when to see it
Wichita Shakespeare Company has a good following for its summer shows, but Ben Blankley says its fall shows are just as entertaining.
“Typically, our crowds in fall are a little smaller than the summer shows,” said Blankley, director of “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” opening this weekend. “I think a lot of Wichitans don’t realize that Shakespeare in the Park does a fall show as well. It’s kind of our hardcore audience that comes to our fall shows, which gives us a little more flexibility in what shows we do in the fall. We can do offbeat ones or known ones in the fall because we have that core audience that comes to see whatever we’re going to put on.”
“Windsor,” a comedy about the roguish John Falstaff (played by Ed Belsan), who woos two married women (Kristen Moody, Rachael Foster), is one of Blankley’s favorites.
“From my perception, it’s Shakespeare’s most hilarious show that’s also the most easily understood by modern audiences,” he said. “There’s a lot of relatable humor, all of the characters are middle-class instead of being royalty.”
For Foster, doing Shakespeare has had special meaning since she did genealogical research and discovered she’s related to the Bard – first cousin, 17 times removed.
“This is my first production that I auditioned for” by Wichita Shakespeare, she said, although she stepped in for another actress last year.
The 14-member cast has several performers playing multiple characters, in traditional costuming and staging.
Audience members are asked to bring lawn chairs, blankets and bug spray. All performances begin at 7 p.m., with an approximate running time of one hour and 45 minutes. If performances are canceled, a message will be recorded by 6 p.m. at 316-655-2017.
‘The Merry Wives of Windsor’ Wichita schedule
(parks are in Wichita unless otherwise noted)
Sept. 13-14: Central Riverside Park
Sept. 15: Andover Sports Park
Sept. 20: College Hill Park
Sept. 21: Hap McLean Park, Park City
Sept. 22: High Park Amphitheatre, Derby
Sept. 27: Buffalo Park
Sept. 28: College Hill Park
Sept. 29: University Friends Church