30 Jan OCTA Presents Shakespeare’s Comedy THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
Laugh Along with this Totally Rad 1980s Production
Olathe, KS (January 29, 2020) – Olathe Civic Theatre Association opens THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDOSR on Valentine’s Day, Friday, February 14th. The show runs for three weekends, February 14th– March 1st, with Friday and Saturday shows at 8pm, Sunday matinees at 2pm. OCTA welcomes back director, David Martin, who brings a 1980s twist to the campy comedy. He says to expect some big hair and gold lamé.
Double-meanings, disguises, and dirty laundry abound as Sir John Falstaff sets about improving his financial situation by wooing Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. But the ‘Merry Wives’ quickly catch on to his tricks and decide to have a bit of fun of their own at Falstaff’s expense. Originally the only of Shakespeare’s comedies to be set in his present-day home country, enjoy this production of the great Bard’s Windsor with a totally rad 1980’s backdrop.
Of the 1980s vision, Dave says: “Overall, we just want to present the story in the most entertaining way possible and make the language and story accessible. We’ve trimmed some aspects that get in the way of that goal and tried to bring out the comedy wherever we can.” He describes one of his favorite moments of the show as a humorous “fight” between Dr. Caius and Sir Hugh Evans. He also loves the finale, as it will be an “assault on the senses with crazy lights and sound and movement.”
Audiences are also sure to love the supporting characters who come on for a bit, do something memorable, and then take off for a while. The show is full of secondary story lines to delight audiences. However, one can’t discuss this show without highlighting Sir John Falstaff, one of the most known and beloved Shakespeare characters, played by Michael Juncker.
Additionally, Dave brings several actors he has worked with before. He also brings several he has acted with but never directed, several he has seen perform but never directed, and a few completely new to him. Audiences might remember last season’s A FLEA IN HER EAR or the previous play, GOOD PEOPLE, directed by Dave. He also directed OCTA’s THE FANTASTICKS, MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, 12 ANGRY MEN, PICASSO AT THE LAPIN AGILE, and ARSENIC AND OLD LACE.
How does Dave approach a Shakespeare comedy? “With ALL theatre, the primary goal is to clearly communicate the story and the intentions of the characters. That becomes a little harder when using language that is not commonly heard anymore… I’d argue Shakespeare is closer to opera than theatre, because you have to communicate that emotion that is almost always in a foreign language and it works because of the musicality of opera. In Shakespeare you just have to find that musicality.”
Catch THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR weekends at Olathe Civic Theatre Association February 14th – March 1st.
The Brilliant MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR cast includes:
Robert Shallow – Charles Christesson
Angela Slender – Charlotte Gilman
Sir Hugh Evans – Aaron Roose
Master George Page – Ken Schmidt
Sir John Falstaff – Michael Juncker
Nym/Sylvia – Jessica Franz-Martin
Pistol/Jack Rugby/John – Quinn North
Anne Page – Darcy Russel
Mistress Alice Ford – Tracy Fox
Mistress Margaret Page – Ellie DeShon
Simple – Chelsea Pyle
Host of the Garter Inn – Jo Bledsoe-Collins
Mistress Quickly – Meghann Deveroux
Dr. Caius – Richard J. Burt
Fenton – Austin Cable
Master Frank Ford – Scott Shaw
The Astounding MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR creative team includes: David Martin (director and sound designer), DK Evenson (stage manager), Kate Sanders (set designer), Chuck Cline (lighting designer), Alison Nickel (costume designer), and Valerie Martin (properties).
SPECIAL DATES
Opening night, Feb 14, 2020: Guests will be treated to a post-show celebration with the cast and crew!
Box Office opens 1 hour before show time and house opens a half hour before show time. Season Ticket Holders can reserve seats by e-mailing tickets@olathetheatre.orgor by calling 913-782-2990. Please include your name, performance date, number of seats, contact info, and your preferred seats.
*Please note that season ticket members must make a reservation in advance to guarantee admittance and reserved seating in the case of a sell-out.
About Olathe Civic Theatre Association
Olathe Civic Theatre Association is a 501c3 organization producing theatre in Olathe since 1974. Performing in the Buddy Rogers Family Playhouse, OCTA produces five high-quality, engaging, and thought-provoking theatre productions a year. Through the generosity of volunteers, season ticket holders, donors, and the City of Olathe, OCTA has grown into one of the most progressive community theaters in the Kansas City metropolitan area.
Social and Digital Media
Receive daily updates by ‘liking’ OCTA’s Facebook page at www.facebook.com/olathecivictheatre.
Use #WindsorIsComing for show photos and fun.
THE 2019-2020 LINEUP:
THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR
By William Shakespeare | Directed by David Martin
February 14 – March 1, 2020
Double-meanings, disguises, and dirty laundry abound as Sir John Falstaff sets about improving his financial situation by wooing Mistress Page and Mistress Ford. But the ‘Merry Wives’ quickly catch on to his tricks and decide to have a bit of fun of their own at Falstaff’s expense. A rollicking farce by the great Bard himself!
THE GOD COMMITTEE
By Mark St. Germain | Directed by Nino Casisi
April 3 – 19, 2020
Medicine, money, and morality clash when the heart transplant selection committee of St. Patrick’s Hospital has only minutes to decide which of four patients will receive a heart that has suddenly become available. A cross between Twelve Angry Men and ER, The God Committee takes us into the inner workings of a transplant program and a decision, for both their candidates and their program, which is a matter of life and death.
BIG FISH
Book by John August | Music and Lyrics by Andrew Lippa
Based on the novel by Daniel Wallace and the Columbia Motion Picture written by John August
Directed by Jessica Franz | Music Directed by Baker Purdon
May 29 – June 14, 2020
Based on the celebrated novel by Daniel Wallace and the acclaimed film directed by Tim Burton, Big Fish tells the story of Edward Bloom, a traveling salesman who lives life to its fullest… and then some! Edward’s incredible, larger-than-life stories thrill everyone around him – most of all, his devoted wife Sandra. But their son Will, about to become a father himself, is determined to find the truth behind his father’s epic tales. …an extraordinary musical that reminds us why we love going to the theatre.
SPECIAL EVENTS
NEW WORKS PLAYWRIGHT COMPETITION (NWPC)
March 6 & 7, 2020
Which of the five finalists of OCTA’s fourth annual New Works Playwright Competition will get a full-length workshop for their script? You’ll see short teasers of each script, then vote for the winner. Make your voice count and support the local playwriting community at the same time!
NWPC WINNER WORKSHOP
June 19 & 20, 2020
Join us for the full-length stage reading of the 2020 New Works Playwright Competition winner. The NWPC Winner Workshop provides a unique opportunity for the winning playwright to workshop their production on the OCTA stage and get feedback from a live audience.
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