TV: First Look at Highlights of CST's THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

Chicago Shakespeare Theater (CST) presents William Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor, directed by CST Artistic Director Barbara Gaines. Embraced by audiences as one of Shakespeare's most popular comedies, The Merry Wives of Windsor is an energetic romp with the loveable rouge Sir John Falstaff, performed by Scott Jaeck, as he charms and conspires against the townspeople of Windsor, only to be outsmarted by Mistress Page and Mistress Ford, performed by Kelli Foxand Heidi Kettenring. The Merry Wives of Windsor is nonw running in CST's Courtyard Theater through January 19, 2014. BroadwayWorld has a first look below!

Joining the wily wives as the put-upon husbands are Jeff Award-winning actors Kevin Gudahl as Master Page andRoss Lehman as Master Ford. In his 33rd Chicago Shakespeare performance, Jeff Award-winning actor Greg Vinkler appears as Dr. Caius, Anne Page's blustering French suitor.

Tiffany Yvonne Cox returns to portray the young Anne Page, who finds herself pursued by several mismatched suitors. To avoid an ill-suited marriage, Anne hatches a plan of her own to be with her true love, the poor but well-meaning Fenton, played by Matt Mueller (Julius Caesar, Short Shakespeare! The Taming of the Shrew).

Company members also returning to Chicago Shakespeare include veteran CST actor William Dick as the Welsh clergyman Sir Hugh Evans; Angela Ingersoll as the bumbling Mistress Quickly; James Harms as Justice Shallow;Don Forston as the Host of the Garter Inn; Matt DeCaro as Falstaff's man Bardolph; Joe Bianco as Pistol; Tim Gittings as Nym; Amy Montgomery as Dolores; Steven Sutcliffe as Slender and Christopher Chmelik as his servant Simple. Newcomers to CST Pavi Proczko as John Rugby, Michael Semanic as Robin Page and ensemble membersJack Bauer and Jonathon Reichart complete the cast.

Joining Barbara Gaines on the creative team for The Merry Wives of Windsor are Scenic Designer James Noone, (Henry VIII, The Merry Wives of Windsor, Julius Caesar), Costume Designer Susan E. Mickey (Cyrano de Bergerac,The School for Lies, Timon of Athens), Lighting Designer John Culbert (Romeo and Juliet), Sound Designer Lindsay Jones (Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, The School for Lies) and resident Wig and Make-up Designer Melissa Veal (Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, The School for Lies). Properties Master Amy Peter (Cyrano de Bergerac), Choreographer Harrison McEldowney (Henry VIII, Julius Caesar, Sunday in the Park with George), Music Director Doug Peck(Beauty and the Beast) and Dialect Coach Eva Breneman (Elizabeth Rex) also join the creative team.

Chicago Shakespeare Theater's The Merry Wives of Windsor runs December 3, 2013 through January 19, 2014 in CST's Courtyard Theater. Tickets are on sale now for $48-$78 with special discounts available for groups of 10 or more, as well as CST for $20 tickets available for patrons under 35. All patrons receive a 40% discount on guaranteed parking in Navy Pier garages. For more information or to purchase tickets or a season subscription, contact Chicago Shakespeare Theater's Box Office at 312.595.5600 or visit the Theater's website atwww.chicagoshakes.com.

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