Photograph courtesy of Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company

The tradition of live Shakespeare performances in the outdoor setting of Johnstown’s Stackhouse Park continues with the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company’s presentation of “The Merry Wives of Windsor”.

The comedic play features the conniving (and legendary Shakespearean character) Sir John Falstaff as a man determined to woo (and subsequently swindle) two wealthy married women. Hilarity ensues when the mistresses discover Falstaff’s intentions and decide to entertain themselves with a bit of revenge.

A feather in the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company’s cap is its commitment to making William Shakespeare’s plays accessible and entertaining for audiences of all types. With this year’s production they’ve raised the bar yet again by shaking free of Elizabethan-era trappings and staging the production as a circa-1950s television sitcom.

Set exclusively in middle-class life, the storyline transitions flawlessly into the retro style of mid-last century. “You have to really explore with comedies,” says Laura Gordon, Artistic Director. “In their written form they can be very complicated. This play lends itself so easily to a television sitcom, which helps with understanding the story more easily.”

The location of the Band of Brothers presentations is as alluring as the plays they perform. Staged at Stackhouse Park in Johnstown’s Westmont neighborhood, the venue provides the opportunity to enjoy live theatre under an open sky. Stackhouse Park is located at 998 Luzerne Street (click here for a map). Theatre-goers have the choice of walking the path down into the park or using the courtesy shuttle, which regularly departs from the Westmont Middle School.

For your own comfort, be sure to bring a chair or blanket and refreshments (and, perhaps, a light coating of bug spray).

The company will stage six performances of “The Merry Wives of Windsor”-July 17-18 and July 22-25. All shows begin at 7:00PM and are approximately 90 minutes long. Tickets are $10 for adults, $7 for students and senior citizens.

Now in its 19th season, the Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company is a non-profit performing arts organization. The cast and crew are volunteers, as are the many other members of the community that make the annual productions a reality. The payback comes from providing a gem to the Johnstown community and by delivering a worthwhile performance. Says Mrs. Gordon, “These productions would stand up with pride and dignity with anything else I’ve seen.” Learn more by visiting their Web site, www.bandofbrothersshakespeare.org.

To learn more about Stackhouse Park, visit www.stackhousepark.com.