The Merry Wives of Windsor Reviews
Washington Post- Somewhat Recommended
"...For 15 minutes or so, as the actors at Folger Theatre assume the postures of wacky stage versions of 1970s comedy characters, the conceit has some amusing momentum. Then the law of diminishing returns kicks in."
DC Theater Arts- Highly Recommended
"...The show is a treat to Boomers, but there is (of course) the generational risk that if you bring your kids, they'll start asking rude questions about what you wore back in the day, and why you seem to know all the words to those ridiculous tunes. So be it; suck it up, brave the theater, and have the grace to admit that yeah, we really were that tacky, we had no idea."
MD Theatre Guide- Highly Recommended
"...What it is, what it is...Get ready to be transported back to the seventies with all its kitschy-ness, loud colors and lingo combine it with the Elizabethan Shakespearean style, and you have a wonderfully imagination melee directed by Aaron Posner. It is Shakespeare as we've never seen before, Mr. Posner magically intertwines the original script with 70s cliches and music. Devon Painter designs the costumes to fit the decade-a match of hippy flair and Brady bunch bell bottoms with leisure suits. The stage, designed by Tony Cisek, was as though we were transported back in time and dropped off on the set of The Brady Bunch. Max Doolittle used the lighting design to harmonize with the costume colors and stage to create a retro atmosphere."
DCTheatreScene- Recommended
"...The actors breezily rock and roll through Posner’s liberally adapted take on the play. Mani’s Falstaff oozes what he thinks is charm, at one point hilariously reading love notes to the wives out loud like some telenovela villain, later showing his bravado is a farce when Mr. Ford gives him a sound beating. The women, particularly Aquino’s smart, sexy Mistress Page and Kate Eastwood Norris as the doctor’s assistant, are clearly the smarter and fairer sex in this show. They’re savvy and shining, whether toting “ERA Now” signs or, in Norris’ case, managing the lives (and love lives) of multiple bumbling dudes. A couple of corny songs and some disco dancing up the 1970s mood."
BroadwayWorld- Highly Recommended
"...One of the biggest challenges in producing Shakespeare, is making it appealing and fresh to audiences of all ages. "How can it feel both accessible and intriguing?" With these thoughts in mind, Aaron Posner and his team must have had some long brainstorming sessions. Luckily, however, they have truly succeeded at a concept that is both loads of fun and works perfectly for William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor. It's 1972 at the Folger and it's quite the time!"