Erin Partin (Alice Ford), Jeffrey M. Bender (Sir John Falstaff), and Ka-Ling Cheung (Margaret Page). Photo by Matt Barry.
(MADISON, NJ) -- This August, The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) invites audiences to experience Shakespeare the way it was meant to be — immediate and gloriously bold — with Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor, running August 14-23, 2026 at the F. M. Kirby Shakespeare Theatre on the campus of Drew University.
A beloved comedy packed with unforgettable characters and elaborate schemes, The Merry Wives of Windsor follows the famously overconfident Sir John Falstaff as he attempts to woo two wealthy married women — simultaneously. Rather than becoming easy targets, the clever Mistress Ford and Mistress Page join forces to outwit the swaggering knight in a series of increasingly hilarious pranks.
But this isn't just another production of Shakespeare.
"Harkening back to original Shakespearean practices, Rogue Shakespeare is theatre at its most daring," says Artistic Director Brian B. Crowe. "With no director and only a week of rehearsal, our performers – including several audience favorites – come in memorized and dive straight into the work, trusting their instincts and the brilliance of Shakespeare's language to guide them. The result is an edge-of-your-seat experience — unfiltered, unpredictable, and wildly alive. I have no doubt that this adrenaline-charged 'Rogue Shakespeare' approach will be thrilling for artists and audiences alike."
Leading the troupe as Sir John Falstaff is Jeffrey M. Bender, who also serves as Troupe Leader, guiding the ensemble through this unique process. The cast also features Erin Partin (STNJ: Macbeth) as Alice Ford, Michael Stewart Allen (N'tl Tour: War Horse) as Frank Ford, Ka-Ling Cheung (Broadway: The Balusters) as Margaret Page, David Shih (Broadway: Life of Pi) as George Page, Emily S. Chang as Anne Page, Patrick Toon as Sir Hugh Evans, Christopher Sutton (N'tl Tour: SPAMALOT; STNJ: A Gentleman's Guide...Love & Murder) as Bardolph, Cole Henry Gilder as William Page, Abby Burris as Nym, Alison Weller as Mistress Quickly, and Hassiem Muhammad (CBS' Madame Secretary) as Fenton. The production is stage managed by Brielle Morris and Mikki Monfalcone.
Unlike traditional productions that spend weeks developing under a director's vision, Rogue Shakespeare embraces collaboration and theatrical daring. With minimal rehearsal time, the actors rely on their years of stage experience, deep familiarity with Shakespeare's language, and each other to create a fast-paced and joyful experience for audiences of all ages.
Erin Partin (Alice Ford), Jeffrey M. Bender (Sir John Falstaff), and Ka-Ling Cheung (Margaret Page). Photo by Matt Barry.
Performances take place Tuesdays – Sundays at 7:30pm; and Saturdays, Sundays, and select Wednesdays at 2:00pm. Single tickets for Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor range from $50 to $55. For tickets, patrons can call the Box Office at (973) 408-5600 or visit ShakespeareNJ.org.
The Theatre offers a variety of other cost-saving opportunities, including $25 student tickets with a valid student ID and a limited number of Pay What You Will tickets for every performance on a first-come, first-serve basis. STNJ also has a $35 under 35 ticket option, which offers $35 tickets for patrons aged 35 and under, with valid ID. Other discounts are available including subscription discounts; and 10% discounts for members of Seniors, PBS/Thirteen, Active Military, Madison Loyalty Club card holders, and AAA members. STNJ also honors the Family First Discovery Pass for families receiving benefits through SNAP, WIC, or Work First New Jersey.
Patrons are encouraged to check out these special events connected with the production:
Symposium Series #1: Tuesday, August 18th following performance - A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team
Symposium Series #2: Saturday, August 22nd following matinee performance - A lively post-show chat with the cast and artistic team
This production of Rogue Shakespeare: The Merry Wives of Windsor is sponsored in part by Suzanne B. Engel.
The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey (STNJ) is one of the leading Shakespeare theatres in the nation, serving approximately 40,000 adults and children annually. As New Jersey's largest professional theatre company dedicated to Shakespeare's canon and other classic masterworks, STNJ's productions and education programs illuminate the enduring relevance of the classics for contemporary audiences.
