Join Nevada Conservatory Theatre for this lively, jolly, and hilarious production of William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor Dec 5.-14 in the Black Box Theatre.
Tickets are $30 and available at the UNLV Performing Arts Center Box Office, online, or at 702-895-ARTS (2787). Discounts are available.
About the Play
Half larger-than-life conman and half wandering knight, Sir John Falstaff finds himself down on his luck in the town of Windsor. He decides to reverse his fortune by pursuing two women at once. When Mistress Ford and Mistress Page discover he sent them identical love letters, the women plot their revenge. As they conspire to humiliate Falstaff, Mistress Ford must contend with her husband’s overwrought jealousy and Mistress Page with her daughter’s three suitors.
Uproarious, gut-busting, and deliciously ridiculous, Merry Wives of Windsor is Shakespeare’s most rollicking comedy and one where love finds a way and women get the last laugh.
About NCT’s Production
Sean Boyd makes his NCT directorial debut with Merry Wives. Boyd is an exceptionally talented multi-faceted artist. As NCT’s resident fight director, our audiences are already familiar with his work on the stage and many have seen him in film and on television.
“When Sean and I spoke about Merry Wives, the word that kept coming up was ‘community,” says executive director Kirsten Brandt. “Sean’s concept to perform this play in the round is brilliant. The audience will be right in the action.”
She adds, “We’re also happy that this jolly and family friendly show will be just in time for the holidays.”
“I’ve heard this play described as Shakespeare’s sitcom,” says director and UNLV assistant professor Sean Boyd, “I can’t disagree. It’s filled with familiar characters and situations from the history of TV sitcoms— ones I grew up with and the classic ones as well. I love comedy, and working with our students. So, I picked the most hilarious, boisterous, and sit-com like Shakespeare with the biggest cast I could and threaded all those needles at once. It’s been exciting to work with our big team on this big show.”
The production has a cast of 22. Professional actor and NCT favorite Taylor Hanes takes on the iconic role of “Falstaff.” Joining him is local actor Betsy Ruckman as the unflappable Mistress Page.
The rest of the cast features the talented and extraordinary member of the MFA Professional Training Program with the Nevada Conservatory Theatre as well as our talented undergraduates.
About the UNLV College of Fine Arts
The College of Fine Arts educates, empowers, and engages creative people to become visionary change-makers in the arts through acts of imagination. At UNLV we believe the arts are an essential good for society. We make education relevant and accessible through our programs and outreach. We create new knowledge in the arts. We celebrate independent thought and the power of bringing people together to foster creativity.