The Merry Wives of Windsor
By William Shakespeare

 

Act I

Scene 1: Street in Windsor
Scene 2: Street in Windsor
Scene 3: Garter Inn Tavern
Scene 4: Doctor Caius’s House

Act II

Scene 1: Street in Windsor
Scene 2: Garter Inn Tavern
Scene 3: Street in Windsor

Act III

Scene 1: Windsor Park
Scene 2: Street in Windsor
Scene 3: Ford Home

There will be one 15-minute intermission.

Act III

Scene 4: Street in Windsor
Scene 5: Garter Inn Tavern

Act IV

Scene 1: Street in Windsor
Scene 2: Ford Home
Scene 3: Street in Windsor
Scene 4: Street in Windsor
Scene 5: Garter Inn Tavern
Scene 6: Garter Inn Tavern

Act V

Scene 1: Garter Tavern Inn
Scene 2: Windsor Park
Scene 3: Windsor Park
Scene 4: Windsor Park

 

Cast (in order of appearance):

Justice Shallow: Sarah Ross

Abraham Slender: Joshua Noé

Sir Hugh Evans: Dalton Hayse-Tinker*

Master Page: Ben Brewer

Sir John Falstaff: Quinn North*

Nym/Fenton: Charlie Meacham

Pistol/William: Miranda Muenz

Anne Page/Bardolph/John Rugby: Maleena Johnson*

Mistress Page: Allyson Hayse-Tinker*

Mistress Ford: Chelsea Smet*

Simple/Robin: Grady Eichman*

Host of the Garter Inn: RebeccaSue Wiles+

Mistress Quickly: Caity Nelson*

Dr. Caius: Brandon Baker*

Master Ford: Colton Smith

Production Staff:

Director: Heather Tinker*

Set Designer/Technical Director: Josiah Crandall*

Stage Manager: Ashley Parker*

Costumer: Ruth Smerchek

Costume Assistant: Connor Landsberg

Hair and Makeup: RebeccaSue Wiles+, Ashley Parker *, Jordan Miller+

Props: Cindy Hayse*

Lighting Designer: Ellie Parks+

Sound Designer: Rodney Holley

Dramaturgy: Sarah Marvin+

House Manager: Abi Hands+

Publicity: RebeccaSue Wiles+, Jordan Miller+, Ellie Parks+

Poster Design: RebeccaSue Wiles+

Set Construction: Josiah Crandall*, KaLon Hale*, Sarah Marvin+

+Current student

*MNU Alum

 

Show Summary

Act I: Justice Shallow arrives at Windsor with her young cousin Slender.
Shallow proclaims that she is angry at Sir John Falstaff over a personal dispute.
Hugh Evans, the local school-master and parson, attempts unsuccessfully to calm
him down. He suggests that Slender pursue the young Mistress Anne Page.
After travelling to the Page house, Shallow confronts Falstaff, who confesses to his wrongdoing.
Later, at the Garter Inn, Falstaff discloses his resolve to pursue the wives of two
wealthy merchants, Page and Ford. When his companions, Nym and Pistol,
refuse to help, he sends his page with a letter to each wife. Nym and Pistol, meanwhile,
decide to tell the husbands of Falstaff’s plot.

Act II: The wives meet and compare their letters and find that they are identical.
They decide to teach Falstaff a lesson. To begin, they invite him to come to
Mistress Ford’s house when her husband is out shooting birds with his friends.
Pistol and Nym inform her husband, Ford, of Falstaff’s intentions. The jealous Ford,
distrustful of his wife, decides to catch her in her infidelity. He disguises himself as a
man called Master Brook, seeks out Falstaff, and declares his love for Mistress Ford.
He bribes Falstaff to pursue her on his behalf. Falstaff agrees before disclosing
that a meeting is already arranged. This makes Ford even angrier at his wife.

Act III: Parson Evans has befriended Slender, who now seeks the love of
Page’s daughter Anne. Anne, meanwhile, is already meeting with the gentleman Fenton
in secret since her father disapproves of him. Anne’s mother hopes that the French
doctor Caius will become Anne’s husband. When Caius learns of Slender’s rival suit,
he challenges Parson Evans to a duel. The host of the Garter Inn
sets different meeting places to confuse the antagonists. Eventually, they are
persuaded to make up their differences.

Act IV: When Falstaff reaches Mistress Ford’s house, he begins his flirtation.
But he is interrupted when Mistress Page announces that the menfolk are returning.
They convince Falstaff to hide in a large laundry basket,
and he is carried out to the river while Ford ransacks the house in search of him.
The delighted wives decide to repeat the trick (especially after seeing the reaction of the jealous Ford)
and invite Falstaff to call again.

Despite being tipped out on a muddy riverbank during the previous trip,
Falstaff is persuaded to accept by Brook, who is the disguised Ford. Like the
first occurrence, he is interrupted by Ford’s return. This time, however,
the women convince Falstaff to disguise himself in the clothes of a
servant’s elderly aunt while Ford searches the contents of the linen basket. It turns out that
Ford hates the elderly aunt that Falstaff is impersonating, and he begins to beat Falstaff
out of the house, much to the delight of the wives.

Successful in their attempt, the wives reveal the hoax to their husbands.
Page suggests Falstaff should be publicly humiliated to stop his seduction attempts
on honest women. They arrange one last prank for the entire community to put on.

Act V: Mistress Ford invites Falstaff to meet her at night at Windsor Park with him disguised
as Herne the Hunter. They plan to scare him with people dressed up as fairies.
Anne uses the occasion to elope with Fenton, while her mother and father both plot for Anne
to be stolen away by the respective suitors of their choice (Caius and Slender).

All meet in the woods, and the fairies tease and pinch Falstaff as Anne escapes.
Falstaff recognizes the plot and realizes that he has deserved his punishment.
He makes up with Page and Ford, and their wives, while Ford is also reprimanded for
mistrusting his wife. Anne returns married to Fenton, while Caius and Slender realize
they almost eloped with boys, whom they mistook for Anne in the dark woods.
Page and Mistress Page accept Fenton as their new son-in-law,
and all return home laughing over the night’s activities.

Source: https://www.shakespeare.org.uk/explore-shakespeare/shakespedia/shakespeares-plays/merry-wives-windsor/

 

Cast Bios

Brandon Loy Baker is thrilled to return to MNU’s Summer Shakespeare series! You can find him most weekends performing improv at The Kick Comedy Theater or with Locally Grown Improv Company. Brandon would like to thank his wife, his friends, his family, his friend’s family, and his college French professor, Alain Lescart. Brandon is sorry Shakespeare is making him butcher your language, Alain.

Ben C. Brewer (Master Page) is elated to make his return to MNU Summer Shakespeare! Ben is a State Fair Community College theatre graduate from 2021 and University of Wisconsin-Parkside theatre arts graduate from 2023! Professional Theatre credits: Monty Python’s Spamalot (Thin Air Theatre Company) Rocky The Musical, Billy Elliot, & Sugarplum an Original Musical (Music Theatre Kansas City),  Project Daylight (The Coterie Theatre), and As You Like It (MNU Summer Shakespeare). Television/Film credits: YOUNG PAUL in Holiday Touchdown: A Chiefs Love Story (Hallmark & Skydance Sports). Selected college credits: Spring Awakening (Melchior), As You Like It (Oliver), Indecent (Mendel), and The Thanksgiving Play (Jaxton) First Date (Aaron), The Diviners (C.C. Showers), Mr. Burns a Post Electric Play (Gibson/Homer Simpson), James and the Giant Peach (Green Grasshopper)! at UW-Parkside and SFCC. Special thanks to his family, friends,
the talented cast/team, and Heather Tinker for the opportunity! IG: @bencbrewer

Josiah Crandall is a MidAmerica Nazarene University graduate who is working as the media director for Journey Bible Church and the technical director for the MNU Theater department. Josiah has a love for telling stories and is excited for any opportunity to be involved with the stage. He would like to thank his wife Amanda and his three wonderful kids Ayla, Emma, and David for supporting him! Colossians 3:17 And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

Grady Eichman is an alumnus of MidAmerica Nazarene University with a BA in Computer Science, Mathematics, and Theatre. Recent roles for Grady include Joseph Pulitzer in MNU’s Newsies, the Old Man in Frankenstein and Henry in Magic Blueberry Pancakes. He would like to thank Heather for dealing with him again even though he graduated.

Abi Hands is a senior speech/theatre education major with a math minor. She was last on stage for MNU as Stage Manager in Our Town and as Martha in Our Holy Place. She was behind the scenes as the stage manager for Little Women: The Broadway Musical and As You Like It. She also serves as MNU theatre council’s president. She would like to thank her friends and family for their love a support of her passions. James 1:4-5

Cindy Hayse is the Props Manager for Merry Wives of Windsor. She is a teacher and Director of Theatre at Pioneer Trail Middle School. She loves helping middle school students learn about theatre and discover a place for them to feel they belong. Her favorite show that she has directed so far has been Elf, Jr., because Christmas is just so fun! This is Cindy’s sixth Shakespeare on the Mall show at MNU having done many things from stage manager, props, costumes, and house manager. She loves getting the chance to work with professionals on a show and to occasionally escape the world of middle school theatre.

Allyson Hayse-Tinker is a 2023 graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University with her Bachelor’s of Arts in Theatre. She is an avid Shakespeare fan, and has been involved in Shakespeare on the Mall since its debut season in 2019. You may recognize her from Elf: The Musical at Padgett Productions (2023) or as Lady Macbeth at Smet Theatrics (2024.) Last year she played Rosalind in As You Like It for the Summer Shakespeare production. When not on stage, Allyson educates at Summit Theatre Group Studio and First Act Theatre Arts. If you want to see more of Ally you can watch her in Home Town at KC Fringe Festival July 19th-26th or Stuff of Dreams at the White Theater September 13-21st. Esther 4:14 Instagram: @allysonhaysetinker

Dalton Hayse-Tinker graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University in May of 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts in Theatre with a double emphasis in Musical Theatre and Acting/Directing, and a triple minor in Music, Ministry, and Bible and Theology. He is a member of Locally Grown Improv Co. and The KC Improv Company. He is a four-time KCACTF Irene Ryan Nominee, and won the 2023 KCACTF Region 5 Best Scene Partner in the Final Round award for his work supporting his scene partner and partner in life, Allyson Hayse-Tinker. You may have seen him perform recently as Macbeth in MACBETH (Smet Theatrics), Orlando in AS YOU LIKE IT (MNU), Happy Loman in DEATH OF A SALESMAN (Smet Theatrics), and Garry Lejeune in NOISES OFF (Smet Theatrics). He would like to thank his friends, family, his incredible wife, and God for always supporting him and putting up with him. Mark 4:39

Maleena Johnson has loved being apart of the cast of Merry Wives of Windsor! She recently graduated from MidAmerica Nazarene University with a BA Theatre Degree and an emphasis in Acting and Directing. Recent roles for Maleena include Featured Dancer in Jesus Christ Superstar at The Barn Players, Amy in Company with Smet Theatrics, and Kathy Selden in Singin’ in the Rain with MidAmerica Nazarene University, a role in which she received an Irene Ryan Nomination. Upcoming roles for Maleena include Cha Cha in Grease with Theatre Atchison, a production she is also choreographing. She would like to thank her friends and family for their continued support, and specifically her sister, Brooklynn, and partner, Charlie!

Sarah Marvin is a Junior English, Psychology, and Theatre major with an emphasis in acting/directing at MidAmerica Nazarene University. She is so excited to be part of tech for Merry Wives of Windsor! Most recently, she assisted with lights for Little Women at MNU. She would like to thank God, Josiah Crandall,
and Heather Tinker for this opportunity.

Charles Meacham (Fenton/NYM): is excited to be returning to MNU once again! He was last seen as Caiaphas in the Barns production of Jesus Christ Superstar! Other Credits: Assassins (John Wilkes Booth) with Olathe Civic Theatre, The Breakfast Club Unauthorized Musical (Andrew) with Theatre Atchison, The Rocky Horror Show (Dr. Frank N Furter) with Summit Theatre Group, and Cabaret (Ernst Ludwig) with Faust Theatre. He would like to thank his family, Heather Tinker, Ruth Smerchek, the amazing cast and crew of Merry Wives, Hunter Meyer, Erik Meixelsperger, Beate Pettigrew, Timothy Noble, and his partner Maleena Johnson :). “I think, as I’ve gotten older I have realized what a huge privilege it is to even be in this business. I, more than ever, love what I do.” -Jeffery Dean Morgan

Miranda Muenz is a recent alumnus of the University of Central Missouri and graduated with a BFA in Musical Theatre and a Dance Minor. This is her first show with MNU and their Summer Shakespeare Series. Miranda’s Notable UCM roles include Cinderella in CINDERELLA, and Kira in XANADU. Miranda recently attended the Stella Adler Musical Theatre Intensive in NYC last summer and sang in the show SPECTRAL SISTERS last fall at Worlds of Fun’s Halloween Haunt. She was also recently an understudy for Sister Amnesia in NUNSENSE THE MUSICAL at New Theatre and Restaurant, performed in THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG AT NIGHT-TIME at The White Theatre and was in the ensemble of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR at The Barn. Big thanks to her parents, sister, boyfriend, and friends who have been with her along the way.

Caity Nelson is an alumnus of MidAmerica Nazarene University. Past productions include: Ocean O’Connell Rosenberg in Ride the Cyclone, Micah in Magic Blueberry Pancakes, and Puck in A Midsummer Night’s Dream. She is also a member of Locally Grown Improv Co. Caity would like to thank her friends and family for their love and support!

Joshua Noé is delighted to return to the stage with MNU, and being about two yards in the leg, hopes you will get a chuckle out of his rendition of the Bard’s thinner humor in this gleefully absurd farce. Also, while there will be a lot of words coming at you in true Shakespearean fashion, he hopes you’ll pay extra close attention to Slender’s, for the full effect of their comedy. Some previous roles include Matthew Cuthbert from Anne of Green Gables and Clarence Oddbody from It’s a Wonderful Life, with appearances in musicals such as Shrek, Big Fish, 1776, and The Music Man. Soli Deo Gloria

Quinn North is an alumnus of MidAmerica Nazarene University with a BA in Interdisciplinary Studies (Music and Theatre) and of Nazarene Theological Seminary with an MA in Theological Studies. By day,
Quinn serves as Communications Coordinator for Nazarene Theological Seminary, by night he is a Story Farmer (Performer) for Locally Grown Improv Company. You may have also seen him last year as Duke Senior in MidAmerica Nazarene University’s summer production of AS YOU LIKE IT or as Willy Loman in Smet Theatrics’ production of DEATH OF A SALESMAN. Quinn would like to give a big thank you to Heather Tinker for continuing to be wild enough to put on full productions of Shakespeare plays in a week, and an even bigger thank you to his wife, Amanda, for her seemingly endless love and support. Isaiah 58:6-7

Ashley Parker is a recent graduate of MidAmerica Nazarene University with a BA in Theatre with an emphasis in Acting and Directing along with a minor in Ministry. This is her first time stage managing a Shakespeare show! Her recent roles include Mother Superior in Kayli Gurley’s Our Holy Place, Counselor in Kayli Gurley’s Magic Blueberry Pancakes and Mrs. Gibbs in Our Town (MNU). Upcoming you can see her in Problematic Man, a new Fringe musical that she is super excited for! She would like to thank Heather for the opportunity to be a part of this amazing show, her friends and family for always supporting her, and her partner Grady for being there every step of the way!

Sarah Ross found joy in theatre as a kid goofing off with her cousins or in helping with children’s church service in skits or puppetry. She went back to Kansas City Kansas Community College to receive an arts degree and is now preparing for year five of teaching her middle school and high school theatre class and year two of elementary theatre. She is so excited and grateful to have a second opportunity to work with the cast and crew during a show here and would like to thank every single one of her family and friends for tolerating, and sometimes encouraging, her shenanigans.

Ruth Smerchek has served as both lead and assistant costumer at MNU, with her work on Steel Magnolias and Fools earning recognition from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival (KCACTF) Region 5. She also contributes as a costume consultant for Olathe Northwest High School. While she enjoys the creative process of costuming, Ruth especially values working alongside young actors to help elevate
their performances through thoughtful design. She extends her gratitude to Heather Tinker for the opportunity to be part of this production and to the cast and crew whose dedication
and enthusiasm made this journey truly special.

Chelsea Smet is a 2018 alumnus of MidAmerica Nazarene University and is so excited to be back on-stage AND back under the direction of Heather Tinker in her favorite thing in the world: a Shakespeare play! Previous Shakespeare credits include Adrianna in THE COMEDY OF ERRORS and Beatrice in MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING at MNU, as well as directing and editing many Shakespeare plays for her theatre company Smet Theatrics. Next up, Chelsea will make her Gladstone Theatre in the Park debut as the Director of ELF: THE MUSICAL, working alongside her Ultimate Dream Team (shoutout Alyce, Jenell, Morgan, Tori, Tyler, & Melanie!). Catch LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS, ROMEO & JULIET, and CABARET at Smet Theatrics this fall! Thanks always to “the Kansas Smets,” Mark Mannette, Heather Tinker, and the three best boys: Anakin, Bran, and Vision! John 16:33 smettheatrics.com

Colton Smith (Ford) is excited to return to the world of Shakespeare, especially one as funny as Merry Wives! Since earning his Bachelor’s in Theatre Arts at University of Wisconsin - Parkside, he has gone on to perform in Sunday in the Park with George (Soldier/Alex), Fiddler on the Roof (Perchik) and Chicken & Biscuits (Logan Leibowitz). Educational credits include Spring Awakening (Moritz), Meteor Shower (Norm), Indecent (Lemml), and The Thanksgiving Play (Caden).

Heather Tinker currently serves as Assistant Professor and Director of Theatre at MidAmerica Nazarene University. She has been teaching and directing at MNU since 2007. Heather has taught and directed at Benedictine College, Kansas City Young Audiences, Christian Youth Theatre, The Culture House, OCTA, and Smet Theatrics. Prior to teaching, Heather travelled and performed with the Lillenas Dramatic Company for ten years. Heather completed her Bachelor’s degree at MidAmerica Nazarene University and a Master of Arts degree in Theatre from the University of Kansas where she received the Ambrose Saricks Family Scholarship for work in community or educational theatre. She has also received recognition for directing from the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival. Heather is the owner and a performer with Locally Grown Improv Co. Heather would like to thank her husband, Trent for all his support, and her family: Ally, Hunter, Dalton, Mom, and Dad. Love you guys!

RebeccaSue Wiles is a Junior Theatre Major (Acting and Directing Emphasis) at MidAmerica Nazarene University. She is so thrilled to be making her MNU Summer Shakespeare debut with this incredible cast! She is so honored for the opportunity to work alongside these incredible actors and be a part of this classic (and chaotic) play of follies. Some of her past Shakespearean credits include: Macbeth (Lady Macbeth) and
Hamlet (Ophelia). She is also a part of the MNU Improv Team as well as the MNU Theatre Council as the
Co-Publicity Chair. She would like to thank her parents for always being her biggest fans and for supporting her in everything she does. “It’s the actors who are prepared to make fools of themselves who are usually the ones who come to mean something to the audience”. -Christian Bale

 

Special Thanks:

Dr. Luke Johnson

Dana Hinds

Bell Center and Events and Conference Services Staff

Building and Facilities Staff

Casting Committee

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UPCOMING PERFORMING ARTS EVENTS

MNU Theatre: Pride and Prejudice

September 18-21, 2025

MNU Theatre: Improv Show

September 26, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Band Concert

September 27, 2025 at 2:00pm

MNU Choir Concert

September 28, 2025 at 3:30pm

MNU Collage Concert

October 3, 2025 at 7:00pm

MNU Theatre: Live Clue

October 25, 2025 at 4:30pm

MNU Theatre: Improv Show

October 25, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Theatre: Freaky Friday

November 13-15, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Jazz Ensemble: Java Jazz

November 18-19, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Chamber Orchestra Concert

November 23, 2025 at 3:30pm

MNU Theatre: Improv Show

December 4, 2025 at 7:30pm

MNU Festival of Christmas

December 6, 2025 at 6:00pm

December 7, 2025 at 3:30pm

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