BY RUTH RICE

RRICE@TRIBDEM.COM

Donna Reed and Lucille Ball will become part of the Elizabethan middle class when this Shakespeare company transforms the Bard’s work into a television sitcom from the 1950s.

Band of Brothers Shakespeare Company’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” will be staged at 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and July 22-25 at the Elk Run pavilion in Stackhouse Park.

The idea of turning the Elizabethan age into America in the 1950s came from Brad Gordon, who serves as the company’s producer.

He will use original sitcom-themed music and commercials to add flavor to the production.

Artistic director Laura Gordon, who credits Shakespeare with the invention of the sitcom, will receive help from assistant director and acting coach Paula Carroll.

“I cut the script to 90 minutes,” Gordon said.

“The cuts that were made are helpful.

“I’ve been listening for cuts to make sure it sounded right,” she said.

“It flies,” Carroll added.

“It’s very quick.”

Carroll explained that the company’s production of “The Merry Wives of Windsor” is about two middle-class families in America.

Shakespeare’s original production gave the impression of life in an English provincial town at the time of the play's first performance.

The comedy is the story of Mistresses Ford and Page, the merry wives of the title, and their middle-class existence being disturbed by a visitor who thinks he can seduce married women to gain access to their husbands’ finances.

“Life goes on as usual until Falstaff comes as an oily salesman to bring trouble,” Carroll said.

“He sends each of the wives a letter asking to meet them.”

When the two wives, who are friends, discover they have been sent identical letters, they plot revenge on Falstaff for their dishonor.

“For the rest of the play, they play pranks on him,” Carroll said.

“Everyone trumps up something against him, but it’s humorous. His henchmen don’t even want to deliver the letters.”

The wives will be played by Stacy Gilbert as Alice Ford and Amanda Fisher as Margaret Page.

For the special ’50s twist, Gilbert will be decked out in classic Donna Reed style, while Fisher will emulate the lovely Lucille Ball.

Gilbert has been with the company since 1995 when she made her Stackhouse debut as Juliet.

She also has been seen in productions of “Two Gents,” “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice.”

Fisher is a Band of Brothers’ board member, and first appeared in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” in 1992.

She most recently appeared in “Othello” and “The Merchant of Venice,” and enjoys photography and writing.

Gilbert’s husband will be played by Tony Malvoisin, who played her love interest in “Othello.”

Malvoisin made his Band of Brothers’ debut in the title role of “Othello” in 2007.

He also appeared in the company’s production of “Merchant of Venice,” in “South Pacific” at Pitt-Johnstown and in a production of “Dream Girls” in 2006.

Fisher’s husband will be played by Patrick “Buddy” Shea, Carroll’s real-life husband.

Shea made his Band of Brothers’ debut last year in “The Merchant of Venice.”

In addition to being an actor, he has had his short films play in festivals across the country.

Falstaff will be played by local comedian and Band of Brothers’ regular Doug Meagher.

“The main thing is that Doug is Falstaff,” Gordon said.

“He’s good at character parts. I’ve had the privilege to see him go from a bit part to what we see now. The moment he walks onto the stage, everything changes. He is Falstaff.”

Meagher also is adept at coaching younger actors in the production.

The men’s costumes will feature Hawaiian shirts and golf attire and suits from the ’50s.

Gordon said the three strong female roles in the play are the two wives, plus Mistress Quickly, the hostess of the inn, who will be played by Natalie Kurchak.

Kurchak, who is on the board of Band of Brothers, usually spends her time helping with advertising, public relations and greeting the audience as they enter the park.

After an impromptu stand-in appearance in last year’s production of “Merchant of Venice,” Kurchak will have her first show as a cast member this year.

“She quickly knows everything about everybody,” Carroll said.

“She’s the go-between who knows Falstaff is being set up.”

Kurchak’s son, John Jr., who usually assists his father with the production’s sound, will portray two roles, Shallow and John.

Other young actors making their Band of Brothers’ debuts are Dylan Meyers, Emma Noonan and Dominic Berardi.

Keri Dadura will make her acting debut as Anne Page, the daughter of George and Margaret.

The Pages disagree on whom their daughter should marry, and Anne ends up choosing a suitor for herself.

For the final scene, audience members will be given sparklers to portray the fairies and goblins who torment Falstaff.

“Because of a bad economy and cuts to the arts in the state budget, underwriters are still needed for this production,” Gordon said.

Shuttle service into the park will be available at the park entrance and at Westmont Middle School.

There will be food available for purchase by members of First Presbyterian Church, or audience members may bring their own picnic supper. Guests should bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and dress for an outdoor performance.





In the park

What: “The Merry Wives of Windsor.”

When: 7 p.m. Friday and Saturday and July 22-25.

Where: Elk Run pavilion, Stackhouse Park, Westmont entrance.

Tickets: $10 for adults and $7 for seniors and students.

Information: 539-9500.