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Welcome

Welcome to Windsor and this very special celebration of The Merry Wives of Windsor in all of its glory. Written somewhere around 1600 at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, it is a huge pleasure to bring together this stellar cast and creative team under the expert guidance of director Philip Breen. This production expresses everything we endeavor to create with Shakespeare at Chicago Shakespeare Theater—to produce his work at scale and treat him as the modern writer he was and continues to be. Producing Shakespeare with a large cast of 22 actors in the Jentes Family Courtyard Theater at this level is thrilling and a real joy!

It is only possible with your support and those like you who believe so passionately in celebrating the live art of theater. Your participation as an audience member, a donor, and a champion for Shakespeare is so meaningful to us. You allow us to dream big and to continue to bring you the highest quality productions of Shakespeare and contemporary work from Hamnet to Hamlet and Ian McKellen to Much Ado About Nothing. It has been a busy and rewarding time as we look forward to the bright shoots of Spring and the sunshine that this joyful play brings us.

Thank you for being here and have a wonderful journey through this unforgettable Windsor Town—

EDWARD HALL
Artistic Director

Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair

KIMBERLY MOTES
Executive Director

presents

Written by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE
Directed by PHILLIP BREEN

Premiere Production Sponsors

The Jentes Family

Ray and Judy McCaskey

Principal Production Sponsor

Brenda and James Grusecki

Lead Production Sponsor

Greg Gallopoulos

Associate Production Sponsor

Nicholas and Mary Babson Fund to Support Chicago Actors

Audience Notice: As a courtesy to the artists and your fellow theatergoers, please turn off your cell phones and all other electronic devices. Photography, video, and audio recording are strictly prohibited during the show. For your safety, we ask that you keep aisles and doorways clear. If you need to step out while the show is in progress, theater staff may ask you to wait in the lobby before re-entering, and it may not be to your original seat. If we can help accommodate you during your visit, please speak with our House Manager.

Cast

Creative Team

Chelsea Strebe

Associate Lighting Designer

Tuesday Thacker

Young Performer Supervisor

Chelsea Strebe

Associate Lighting Designer

Tuesday Thacker

Young Performer Supervisor

The Merry Wives of Windsor Full Staff Listing
Edward Hall   Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair Kimberly Motes   Executive Director ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE  Ericka Ratcliff  Literary Manager John Hance  Interim General Manager Daniel J. Hess   Artistic Administrator Bob Mason   Artistic Associate/Casting Director Brian Haas   Company Manager Alexis Taylor   Casting Associate Rose Kalef   Executive Assistant Shemar Wheeler  Arts Leadership Fellow EDUCATION  Nora Carroll  Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair Rick Lostutter  Associate Director of Education MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS  Brad Boron   Chief Marketing Officer MARKETING  Mackenzie Schleyer  Associate Director of Marketing Katie Bell   Digital Marketing Manager Olivia George   Graphic Designer Shelly Binkley   Tessitura Administrator Ali Khan   Marketing Associate COMMUNICATIONS  Hannah Kennedy   Director of Communications Emma Perrin   Associate Director of Communications Tiffany Mullins   Digital Content Specialist BOX OFFICE  Scott Letscher   Ticketing Services Manager Sonja Pardee   Box Office Supervisor Maggie Curry  Box Office Associate Al Duffy  Box Office Associate Jaz Fowlkes   Box Office Associate Micah Hazel   Box Office Associate Aurthur King   Box Office Associate Eric Perrine  Box Office Associate Ash Pierce   Box Office Associate Kir Westrick  Box Office Associate DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS  Stacy Shafer Peterson   Chief Development Officer Makeda Cohran   Events Director Melissa Rosenberg  Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving Elizabeth Aranza   Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving Finley Jones  Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving FINANCE & OPERATIONS  FINANCE  Dan Thomas   Director of Finance Alejandra Sujo   Accounting Associate TECHNOLOGY  Jeanne DeVore   Technology Manager OPERATIONS  Mark Kozy   Director of Operations Daniel Lopez   Facilities Manager Mike Atkins  Custodian Dwayne Brewer  Custodian Anthony Davis   Custodian Cano Hernandez  Custodian Ferris Robertson  Custodian GUEST SERVICES  Devin Faught   Front of House Manager Phoebe Silva   Assistant Front of House Manager Julia Ravenscroft   Show Supervisor Erika Wilson   Show Supervisor Will Adams   Guest Services Associate Sam Castillo   Guest Services Associate Amanda Farmer   Guest Services Associate Leah Johnson   Guest Services Associate Paulette Maher  Guest Services Associate Nat Martinez-White  Guest Services Associate Maggie Perisho   Guest Services Associate Jessica Plummer   Guest Services Associate Jack Porter Guest Services Associate Nora Rumery   Guest Services Associate Samantha Waitkus   Guest Services Associate Nyja White   Guest Services Associate Philip Macaluso   Lead Concessioner Patty Roache   Lead Concessioner Jack Saunders   Lead Concessioner Sam Adams   Concessioner Dani Brown  Concessioner Suzie Glover   Concessioner Zoe Maxwell   Concessioner Tanner McCormick   Concessioner Robbie Matthew   Concessioner Leaf McCastle   Concessioner Lily Mulcahy   Concessioner Reese Sheldahl   Concessioner Emily Stipetic   Concessioner Prenae Thomas   Concessioner Mo Werder   Concessioner

HUMAN RESOURCES 

Laurel Legler  Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid  HR Generalist

PRODUCTION
Mac Vaughey   Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz   Assistant Production Manager

SCENERY 

Tyler Metoxen   Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney   Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu   Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri   Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell   Stage Rigging Crew Head
Nicolas Cabrera   House Technician
Chris Culver   House Technician
Amber Hahn   House Technician
Bobby Noe   House Technician
Danny Carraher Carpenter
Reese Sheldahl Carpenter
Casey Fort Carpenter
Aubrey Pierce Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas Carpenter
Sarah Lewis Scenic Sculptor
Jessica Howe Scenic Painter
Tea Roberts Scenic Painter
Sara Grose Scenic Painter

COSTUMES 

Ryan Magnuson  Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo   Costume Design Assistant
Melissa Perkins Costume Design Assistant
Madeline Felauer   Costume Crafts
Jenn Giangola   Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips  Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson   First Hand
Yas Maple   Stitcher
Kyra Pan Stitcher
Naomi Arroyo Dresser
Laura Holt Dresser

LIGHTING AND VIDEO 

Alec Thorne  Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown  Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen   Lighting Crew Head
Meike Schmidt Lightboard Programmer
Florence Borowski Electrician
Emily Brown Electrician
Lea Davis   Electrician
Chris Feurig Electrician
Andres Fiz Electrician
Elliot Hubiak   Electrician
Garvin van Dernoot Electrician

SOUND 

Nicholas Pope  Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone   Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz   Sound Technician
Michael McShane   A2 Cover

HAIR AND MAKE-UP 

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins   Hair and Make-up Attendant
Cathryn Bulicek Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover

PROPERTIES 

Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose Properties Artisan
Katie Novak Properties Artisan
Jamie Auer Properties Artisan
Claire Rockwell Properties Artisan
AnnaMae Durham Properties Artisan
Mariah Bennett Properties Artisan

HAIR AND MAKE-UP 

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins   Hair and Make-up Attendant
Anna Gorsuch Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover

PROPERTIES 

Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose Properties Artisan

Edward Hall   Artistic Director, Carl and Marilynn Thoma Chair
Kimberly Motes   Executive Director

ARTISTIC & EXECUTIVE 

Ericka Ratcliff  Literary Manager
John Hance  Interim General Manager
Daniel J. Hess   Artistic Administrator
Bob Mason   Artistic Associate/Casting Director
Brian Haas   Company Manager
Alexis Taylor   Casting Associate
Rose Kalef   Executive Assistant
Shemar Wheeler  Arts Leadership Fellow

EDUCATION 

Nora Carroll  Director of Lifelong Learning & Education, Ray and Judy McCaskey Education Chair
Rick Lostutter  Associate Director of Education

MARKETING & COMMUNICATIONS 

Brad Boron   Chief Marketing Officer

MARKETING 

Mackenzie Schleyer  Associate Director of Marketing
Katie Bell   Digital Marketing Manager
Olivia George   Graphic Designer
Shelly Binkley   Tessitura Administrator
Ali Khan   Marketing Associate

COMMUNICATIONS 

Hannah Kennedy   Director of Communications
Emma Perrin   Associate Director of Communications
Tiffany Mullins   Digital Content Specialist

BOX OFFICE 

Scott Letscher   Ticketing Services Manager
Sonja Pardee   Box Office Supervisor

Maggie Curry  Box Office Associate
Al Duffy  Box Office Associate
Jaz Fowlkes   Box Office Associate
Micah Hazel   Box Office Associate
Aurthur King   Box Office Associate
Eric Perrine  Box Office Associate
Ash Pierce   Box Office Associate
Kir Westrick  Box Office Associate

DEVELOPMENT & SPECIAL EVENTS 

Stacy Shafer Peterson   Chief Development Officer
Makeda Cohran   Events Director
Melissa Rosenberg  Associate Director of Development, Individual Giving
Elizabeth Aranza   Associate Director of Development, Institutional Giving
Finley Jones  Manager of Annual Fund and Planned Giving

FINANCE & OPERATIONS 

FINANCE 

Dan Thomas   Director of Finance
Alejandra Sujo   Accounting Associate

TECHNOLOGY 

Jeanne DeVore   Technology Manager

OPERATIONS 

Mark Kozy   Director of Operations
Daniel Lopez   Facilities Manager
Mike Atkins  Custodian
Dwayne Brewer  Custodian
Anthony Davis   Custodian
Cano Hernandez  Custodian
Ferris Robertson  Custodian

GUEST SERVICES 

Devin Faught   Front of House Manager
Phoebe Silva   Assistant Front of House Manager
Julia Ravenscroft   Show Supervisor
Erika Wilson   Show Supervisor
Will Adams   Guest Services Associate
Sam Castillo   Guest Services Associate
Amanda Farmer   Guest Services Associate
Leah Johnson   Guest Services Associate
Paulette Maher  Guest Services Associate
Nat Martinez-White  Guest Services Associate
Maggie Perisho   Guest Services Associate
Jessica Plummer   Guest Services Associate
Jack Porter Guest Services Associate
Nora Rumery   Guest Services Associate
Samantha Waitkus   Guest Services Associate
Nyja White   Guest Services Associate
Philip Macaluso   Lead Concessioner
Patty Roache   Lead Concessioner
Jack Saunders   Lead Concessioner
Sam Adams   Concessioner
Dani Brown  Concessioner
Suzie Glover   Concessioner
Zoe Maxwell   Concessioner
Tanner McCormick   Concessioner
Robbie Matthew   Concessioner
Leaf McCastle   Concessioner
Lily Mulcahy   Concessioner
Reese Sheldahl   Concessioner
Emily Stipetic   Concessioner
Prenae Thomas   Concessioner
Mo Werder   Concessioner

HUMAN RESOURCES 

Laurel Legler  Director of Human Resources
Mohad Zahid  HR Generalist

PRODUCTION

Mac Vaughey   Production Manager
Alexa Berkowitz   Assistant Production Manager

SCENERY 

Tyler Metoxen   Technical Director
Jesse Gaffney   Assistant Technical Director
Tobi Osibodu   Stage Crew Head
Bradley Buri   Stage Crew Carpenter Head
Jack Birdwell   Stage Rigging Crew Head
Nicolas Cabrera   House Technician
Chris Culver   House Technician
Amber Hahn   House Technician
Bobby Noe   House Technician
Danny Carraher Carpenter
Reese Sheldahl Carpenter
Casey Fort Carpenter
Aubrey Pierce Carpenter
Nicholas Thomas Carpenter
Sarah Lewis Scenic Sculptor
Jessica Howe Scenic Painter
Tea Roberts Scenic Painter
Sara Grose Scenic Painter

COSTUMES 

Ryan Magnuson  Costume Department Manager
Cathy Tantillo   Costume Design Assistant
Melissa Perkins Costume Design Assistant
Madeline Felauer   Costume Crafts
Jenn Giangola   Wardrobe Supervisor
Tyler Phillips  Draper/Workroom Supervisor
Teagan Anderson   First Hand
Yas Maple   Stitcher
Kyra Pan Stitcher
Naomi Arroyo Dresser
Laura Holt Dresser

LIGHTING AND VIDEO 

Alec Thorne  Lighting and Video Department Manager
Arianna Brown  Assistant Lighting and Video Department Manager
Joan E. Claussen   Lighting Crew Head
Meike Schmidt Lightboard Programmer
Florence Borowski Electrician
Emily Brown Electrician
Lea Davis   Electrician
Chris Feurig Electrician
Andres Fiz Electrician
Elliot Hubiak   Electrician
Garvin van Dernoot Electrician

SOUND 

Nicholas Pope  Sound Department Manager
Tyler Malone   Sound Crew Head
Sarah Ortiz   Sound Technician
Michael McShane   A2 Cover

HAIR AND MAKE-UP 

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins   Hair and Make-up Attendant
Cathryn Bulicek Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover

PROPERTIES 

Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose Properties Artisan
Katie Novak Properties Artisan
Jamie Auer Properties Artisan
Claire Rockwell Properties Artisan
AnnaMae Durham Properties Artisan
Mariah Bennett Properties Artisan

HAIR AND MAKE-UP 

Ashley Adams   Hair and Make-up Department Manager
Sarah Collins   Hair and Make-up Attendant
Anna Gorsuch Hair and Make-up Attendant Cover

PROPERTIES 

Anna Katharine Mantz Properties Department Manager
Meghan Savagian Assistant Properties Department Manager
Dan Nurczyk Properties Crew Head
Sara Grose Properties Artisan

Director Phillip Breen

A Note From Director Phillip Breen

There are no jokes in Merry Wives, only situation and character; bacchanalian laughter and chaos…

The Knight who is the least chivalrous character in the play, the preacher who is incomprehensible to his flock, the homicidal doctor, the cunning and wise young female love interest, the young male lead who seems not only disinterested in sex but only has a hazy idea of the mechanics, the justice of the peace constantly agitating for a fight, the publican who acts as the referee. We seemed to be in this strange underworld, where the received laws of the stage had been turned on their head. All this set in a town that is the spiritual home to the Order of the Garter at St George’s chapel and its old French motto “Honi soit qui mal y pense” (“Shame on the one who sees something bad in it”)—a place where the characters spend the bulk of their time doing the precise opposite of this.

What if instead of trying to solve all of these inconsistencies and rescue Shakespeare’s hack work, as production history tells us we should, we assume he meant everything? I junked all the cut scripts and went slowly though the folio again. It works.

I think The Merry Wives of Windsor is one of the great Shakespeare plays because it manages to deeply explore themes that Shakespeare was fascinated by throughout his whole career. I think it represents a bold experiment in character and structure and dramatic energy more dazzling than even As You Like It. I think it’s his funniest play by far because it’s his most troubling and people laugh at discomfort and when they’re most discomfited.”

Excerpted from Phillip Breen’s monograph entitled “Walking in a Windsor Wonderland: Some ramshackle reflections on directing Shakespeare’s greatest comedy.” 

John Falstaff

Falstaff: A Fan Favorite

“Setting the attractions of my good parts aside, I have no other charms.” (Falstaff, Act 2 Scene 2) 

Did you know that Sir John Falstaff appears in several other Shakespeare plays? In fact, he is the only non-historical leading character to appear in more than one! Falstaff first appears in Henry IV, Part I as a bumbling, errant knight that the young Prince Hal cavorts with at the tavern. While it is evident that Falstaff is pretty corrupt, he quickly becomes a fan favorite for his charisma and humor. He appears next in Henry IV, Part II and is also mentioned in Henry V. Legend says that Falstaff was such a popular character that Queen Elizabeth herself demanded a play about Falstaff in love—so now, we have The Merry Wives of Windsor! 

Production photo featuring Nancy Voigts

Read Synopsis

Get to know who is who and read the synopsis of Shakespeare’s most raucous comedy, broken down act by act.

SEASON SPONSORS

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors,
whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.

SEASON SPONSORS

Chicago Shakespeare Theater is proud to recognize the sustaining partnership of our Season Sponsors, whose visionary support ensures that we live out our artistic mission for audiences today and for generations to come.

The Grainger Foundation

The Jentes Family

Ray and Judy McCaskey

Paul M. Angell Family Foundation

Burton X. and Sheli Z. Rosenberg

The Segal Family

Carl and Marilynn Thoma

Chicago Shakespeare productions are made possible in part by the Illinois Arts Council Agency and a CityArts Grant from the City of Chicago Department of Cultural Affairs and Special Events.

Chicago Shakespeare is a constituent of the Theatre Communications Group, Inc., the national service organization of non-profit theaters; Shakespeare Theatre Association; Arts Alliance Illinois; the League of Chicago Theatres; and Ingenuity, Inc.   

Actors’ Equity Association (AEA), founded in 1913, represents more than 45,000 actors and stage managers in the United States. Equity seeks to advance, promote and foster the art of live theatre as an essential component of our society. Equity negotiates wages and working conditions, providing a wide range of benefits, including health and pension plans. AEA is a member of the AFL-CIO, and is affiliated with FIA, an international organization of performing arts unions. The Equity emblem is our mark of excellence. www.actorsequity.org 

About Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST)

Our Mission

To create vivid, entertaining theatrical experiences that invigorate and engage people of all ages and identities by illuminating the complexity, ambiguity, and wonder of our world.

Shared humanity and unforgettable stories—now THIS is Chicago Shakespeare.

Our Vision

We deliver excellent, powerful, life-changing theater that challenges our preconceptions of everything. We are an open and inspiring destination to meet, talk, and share experience through community and live performance that is available to everyone. We build a better future with those who watch, work, create, and participate.

Our Story

CST is a leading international theater company and the nation’s largest year-round theater dedicated to the works of Shakespeare. Under the visionary leadership of Artistic Director Edward Hall and Executive Director Kimberly Motes, the Regional Tony Award recipient engages nearly a quarter of a million people through more than 12 productions each year. Shakespeare is at the heart of the artistic work, illuminating the playwright as a modern writer for our modern world. CST also produces compelling, contemporary stories from fresh artistic voices of today. CST brings the world to Chicago and sends Chicago out into the world as a presenter of international theater and producer of North American and world premieres. Serving more students and teachers than any theater in the city, CST annually welcomes more than 20,000 students to performances and programs like Chicago Shakespeare SLAM, alongside professional development opportunities for teachers. CST activates its campus with three venues: 700-seat The Yard; the 500-seat Jentes Family Courtyard Theater; and the 200-seat Carl and Marilynn Thoma Upstairs Studio. Free programs like Shakes in the City bring performances to parks and community spaces across Chicago’s 77 neighborhoods. For nearly four decades, CST has distinguished itself with a spirit of innovation, dynamism, and ambitious vision.

More About Us

Our Team

The thrilling work on our stages would not be possible without our visionary leadership, talented team of theater professionals, and dedicated Board of Directors.

Our Supporters

Chicago Shakespeare gratefully recognizes the gifts and partnerships provided by our hundreds of individual donors and institutions in our digital donor listing.

Our Education Programs

We are committed to providing access to high quality, culturally responsive arts education, and fostering a love for lifelong learning through innovative programming.