The Arc Theatre Announces THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

The Arc Theatre joins Ridgeville Park District's Shakespeare on the Ridge series again this summer with Shakespeare's comedy of sexual jealousy THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, directed by Mark Boergers* playing July 21st through August 12th at Ridgeville Park, 908 Seward St., Evanston, IL 60202. ADMISSION IS FREE.

The Arc is proud to return for its 9th year at Shakespeare on the Ridge with the bard's comedy of jealousy, debauchery, wit, and pleasure. "Windsor Country Club Estates" is turned on its edge when raucous former bad boy Falstaff returns to town for a life of leisure - setting his sights on the seduction of two of the town's most prominent wives. Mischief and true mayhem ensue, however, when the wiley Mistress Ford and Mistress Page set traps of their own to punish the raunchy knight, aided by the jealousy of Master Ford and the impending marriage of Anne Page to one of the town's many "qualified" suitors.

The production team for THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR includes: Stage Manager Shelby Krarup, Set Designer Cailin Short*, Costume Designer Hailey Rakowiecki, Movement Director Dustyn Martincich*, Music and Text Coach David Kaplinski

Now in its 9th Season, Shakespeare on the Ridge was created through collaboration between The Arc Theatre's Artistic Director Mark Boergers and Ridgeville Parks District's (then) Program Director Michael Miro in 2010 with the goal of bringing professional quality theatre to the Ridgeville and Evanston community. In nine years, "Shakespeare on the Ridge" has expanded from a one weekend event to a four-weekend festival of specially-tailored performances, including a selection from Evanston's Mudlark children's theater earlier in the summer. The Arc brings professionally trained artists from the Chicago theatre community each summer. Shakespeare on the Ridge has become a fixture for audiences from all over the Evanston and Chicago-land area, who wish to enjoy high quality art in a relaxing and fun setting.

The Arc Theatre is a proud company in the image of Chicago Storefront Theaters. Formed in 2010 by three soon-to-be graduates of The Theatre School at DePaul University (Mark Boergers, Teddy Boone, and Cailin Short), The Arc is in artistic residence at Shakespeare on the Ridge in Evanston and produces a season of classical, contemporary and new works around Evanston and the north side of Chicago with a relentless commitment to quality of process and craft. Having gained a reputation for intimate story-telling and rich creative experiences for both audience and artist, The Arc works with some of the most provocative theater practitioners in Chicago to create its one-of-a kind renditions. The Arc is now forging ahead with new play developments and the continuation of curating its annual arciTEXT short play festival.