The Porters of Hellsgate present William Shakespeare’s The Merry Wives of Windsor directed by Charles Pasternak and produced by The Porters of Hellsgate, June 15 – July 22 at the Whitmore Theatre in North Hollywood.
In the midst of The Great Depression and hot on the heels of American prohibition’s end, a new film genre was swiftly gaining popularity; 1934’s It Happened One Night was far from an over-night success, but by the 1940s, screwball comedy had firmly left its footprint in American film history. The Porters of Hellsgate will continue their sixth season with The Merry Wives of Windsor (arguably Shakespeare’s contribution to the screwball genre) as a raucous bar romp set in the 1930s. Staying true to the genre, they will focus on elements of class and escapism, revel in farce, and order up a round of weddings on the house — all in a breakneck 90 minutes. The Porters’ Merry Wives promises to be one sexy party (with apologies to Mr. Sarris).
When Sir John Falstaff finds himself in Windsor with naught but a scheme in his pocket, everything is bound to go right. With his eye on financial gain, Plump Jack sends out identical love notes to two wealthy women (the Mistresses Ford and Page)–but witty women that they are, the mistresses very quickly undress Falstaff’s plots, subjecting him to one merry trick after another. Amidst the madness of a jealous husband, doting dolts, and the kind of wedding that could get you arrested in North Carolina, mistaken identity, musical numbers, and that most famous Falstaff run amok in this classic comedy.
Starring Dana DeRuyck, Sean Faye, Sterling Hall, Michael Hoag, Eliza Kiss, Gus Krieger, Jack Leahy, Kit Leonard, Amir Levi, Lauren LoGrasso, Kate O’Toole, Sasha Pasternak, Tim Portnoy, Hilary Schwartz, Lamont Webb, and Dylan Vigus as Sir John Falstaff.
The Merry Wives of Windsor opens Friday, June 15th at 8pm and will run Friday and Saturday nights at 8pm, with Sunday matinees at 2pm, through Sunday, July 22nd. Performances take place at The Whitmore Theatre, 11006 Magnolia Blvd, North Hollywood, CA 91601. Tickets are $20, $15 for students/seniors 60+/AEA. Click Here for tickets online or call 818-325-2055.
Shakespeare in LA 