Category: Productions

The Merry Wives of Windsor
Presented by Wichita Shakespeare Company

The Wichita Shakespeare Company (WSC) closes its 2024 Shakespeare-in-the-Park series with The Merry Wives of Windsor. One of the Bard’s frothiest comedies, the play focuses on the roguish Sir John Falstaff as he flirts and woos two married women in the town of Windsor.

The production is directed by veteran WSC director and Board Member, Ben Blankley. The impressive cast assembled for the show includes Ed Belsan as Falstaff, Kevin Sowers as Master Ford, Kristen Moody as Mistress Ford, and Rachael Foster as Mistress Page. Others in the cast include Dan Schuster, Anna Bohr, Kylie Foster, Jaxson Mannis, Sam Hibarger, Chris Welborn, Dalton Nelson, Monty Phelps, Caitlyn West, and Edward Emerson Kerbs.

All shows will begin at 7:00 pm, with an approximate running time of one hour and forty-five minutes. As always, the play is performed free to all audiences but donations are accepted and appreciated. Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs or blankets for seating and, of course, bug spray. Shakespeare-in-the-Park returns to the very popular Central Riverside, College Hill, and Buffalo parks in Wichita. Parks in Derby, Andover, and Park City complete the schedule. Additionally, a special inside performance will be held at University Friends Church. Seating will be provided for the inside performance. In the event of inclement weather, there will be a message posted at 6 pm on the WSC line (316-655-2017) alerting if the show has been cancelled for that evening.

Exact park/performance locations and dates are as follows:

Sept 13th …Central Riverside Park, Wichita
Sept 14th …Central Riverside Park, Wichita
Sept 15th …Andover Sports Park
Sept 20th …College Hill Park, Wichita
Sept 21st …Hap McLean Park, Park City
Sept 22nd …High Park Amphitheater, Derby
Sept 27th …Buffalo Park, Wichita
Sept 28th …College Hill Park, Wichita
Sept 29th …University Friends Church, Wichita

Wichita Shakespeare Company presents “TAMING OF THE SHREW” codirected by Chris Welborn and Angela Forrest.

The Wichita Shakespeare Company (WSC) opens its 2024 Shakespeare-in-the-Park series with “The Taming of the Shrew.”  One of Shakespeare’s most beloved comedies, the play tells the story of Katherine Minola, well known in Italy for her scolding tongue, who is courted by a raucous gentleman by the name of Petruchio. This is much to the pleasure of Kate’s family and friends. Kate’s father has refused to marry off the beautiful Bianca (Kate’s younger sister), to one of her many suitors, until Kate has found a husband of her own.

The play is co-directed by veteran WSC actors Chris Welborn and Angela Forrest.  The impressive cast assembled for this production includes Ashley McCracken-Christy as Kate and Nathan Betzen as Petruchio. The supporting players are Kevin Sowers, Chelsea Daniel, Braden LaBrue-Layman, Hanson Long, Jacob Steward, Taylor Goldsmith, Jeremy R Buoy, Kaleb Waller, Holland Lee Kiser, and Shane Goldsmith.

Shakespeare-in-the-Park will return to the very popular Central Riverside, Buffalo, and College Hill Parks in Wichita.  Parks in Park City and Derby will complete the tour. Additionally, a special inside performance will be held at University Friends Church.  All shows will begin at 7:00 pm, with an approximate running time of an hour and a half.  As always, the play is performed free to all audiences but donations are accepted and appreciated.  Those attending are encouraged to bring lawn chairs, blankets and, of course, bug spray.

In the event of inclement weather, there will be a message posted at 6 pm on the WSC line (316-655-2017) alerting if the show has been cancelled for that evening.

Ashley McCracken-Christy: Katharina
Chelsea Daniel: Bianca and Tailor
Nathan Betzen: Petruchio
Kevin Sowers: Baptista
Braden LaBrue-Layman: Lucentio
Hanson Long: Hortensio
Jacob Steward: Gremio
Taylor Goldsmith: Tranio
Jeremy R. Buoy: Biondello
Kaleb Waller: Grumio
Holland Lee Kiser: Curtis, Pedant, and Widow
Courtney Marie: Widow and Tailor
Shane Goldsmith: Vincentio, Nathaniel, and Haberdasher

Exact park locations and dates are as follows:

All performances are FREE to the public.
Donations are gratefully accepted.
All performances begin at 7pm

FRI, 5/24 CENTRAL RIVERSIDE PARK, WICHITA
SAT, 5/25 CENTRAL RIVERSIDE PARK, WICHITA
SUN, 5/26 NO PERFORMANCE

FRI, 5/31 COLLEGE HILL PARK, WICHITA
SAT, 6/1 HAP MCLEAN PARK, PARK CITY
SUN, 6/2 HIGH PARK AMPHITHEATER, DERBY

FRI, 6/7 BUFFALO PARK, WICHITA
SAT, 6/8 COLLEGE HILL PARK, WICHITA
SUN, 6/9 UNIVERSITY FRIENDS CHURCH (INSIDE)

Poster design by Troy Dilport.