Drilling Company's THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR to Arrive at Bryant Park This Month

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Shakespeare's only comedy set in or around London, is now modernized in the setting of an Upper West Side cooperative by Drilling Company Shakespeare. Performances will run in Bryant Park, Fridays and Saturdays from May 19 to June 3. All shows at 7 p.m.

Real estate hustler John Falstaff of Falstaff Properties believes he can seduce both tiger mother Mistress Page and activist Mistress Ford. The secondary plot surrounds the antics of would-be suitors for lovely young Anne Page, including Doctor Caius, a quick-tempered young French physician living nearby. The Drilling Company extorts the same small town comedy of Shakespeare's time from a popular New York neighborhood today.

The cast features well known Off Broadway actor David Marantz (Falstaff), who portrayed Shylock in last year's Shakespeare in the Parking Lot; Karla Hendrick (Mistress Ford), last seen in Bryant Park as Gertrude in the Drilling Company's Hamlet (2014); Ezra Barnes (Master Ford), from Blacklist, Blue Bloods, and Law & Order; and Eric Paterniani (Pistol), known for Two Gentlemen of Verona, The Taming of the Shrew, As You Like It, and Hamlet in Bryant Park, returning for the fourth season. The cast is rounded out with documentary filmmaker Victoria Campbell playing Mistress Page, French comedian and actor Remy Souchon in the role of Doctor Caius, and veterans of last summer's performances in the park -- Gracie Winchester, AaRon Scott, Bill Green, Jarrod Bates, BranDon Reilly, and Joe Clancy -- as well as newcomers Brad Frost, Liz Livingston, Charles Pang, Zac Guttman, Samantha Dena Smith, and Emma Gutt.

"In his time, Shakespeare's plays were always in some way reflecting London," says Drilling Company Theatrical Productions Artistic Director, Hamilton Clancy. "London was then the world's leader of commerce and culture, as well as its greatest melting pot. Today, New York City is much like the London of four hundred years ago and is the perfect backdrop for the humanity of Shakespeare plays. By setting our season of Shakespeare in New York City, we're celebrating the diversity, excitement and the people of the city."

Coming Up at Bryant Park Presents Shakespeare:

Twelfth Night

Friday, July 28 at 7pm

Saturday, July 29 at 7pm

Sunday, July 30 at 3pm

Staging on the Upper Terrace in Bryant Park

All is not what it seems in this cross-dressing comedy produced by Drilling Company Shakespeare. Lost travelers Viola and brother Sebastian chaotically search for each other after ending up ashore with hilarious results.

The Tempest

Fridays and Saturdays from August 25 through September 9 at 7pm

Staging on the Upper Terrace in Bryant Park

Love and revenge on Prospero's magical island in the Bard's last play. Songs from Natalie Smith and Andrew Gombas lead the comical journey through dazzling spells and devious plots in this production by Drilling Company Shakespeare.

Bryant Park Corporation (BPC), a private not-for-profit company, was founded in 1980 to renovate, finance and operate Bryant Park in New York City. BPC is funded by income from events, concessions and corporate sponsors, as well as an assessment on neighboring properties, and does not accept government or philanthropic monies. In addition to providing security and sanitation services and tending the park's lush lawn and seasonal garden displays, BPC provides public amenities and activities, including movable chairs and tables, cafe umbrellas, restaurants, food kiosks, world-class restrooms, and a wide range of free events throughout the year. The Midtown Manhattan park is visited by more than six million people each year and is one of the busiest public spaces in the world. BPC's website, bryantpark.org, is available for more detailed information and a schedule of upcoming events.

Drilling Company Theatrical Productions has produced Shakespeare plays and new plays for over two decades. Drilling Company Shakespeare is a highly anticipated annual summer institution that includes Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, now entering its 23rd season on the Lower East Side, and for the last four years, partnering with Bryant Park, where over 35,000 people have attended its productions. The company has been featured in media publications including The New York Times, CBS, MSNBC, The London Times, Huffington Post, and many others, and is the second largest producer for free Shakespeare in New York City. Originally dedicated to the development and production of new works by emerging American Playwrights, the Company has commissioned and produced over a dozen world premieres, notably the original production of C. Denby Swanson's Off Broadway hit The Norwegians, and in 2018 is producing Brian Dykstra's Education at 59E59 Theaters.

TNT's Will is the 2017 season sponsor of Bryant Park Presents Shakespeare. The new television series portrays a contemporary version of Shakespeare's life, played to a modern soundtrack that exposes all his recklessness, lustful temptations and brilliance. On June 27, join the cast and producers of Will in Bryant Park for an exclusive screening of the show. Then check out the television premiere of the series July 10 on TNT.

Bryant Park is situated behind the New York Public Library in midtown Manhattan, between 40th and 42nd Streets & Fifth and Sixth Avenues. Take the B, D, F, or M train to 42nd Street/Bryant Park; or, take the 7 train to 5th Avenue.

Photo Credit: Lee Wexler