Shakespeare’s Comedy, The Merry Wives Of Windsor to be performed

HACKETTSTOWN — William Shakespeare’s bawdy, riotous romp, The Merry Wives of Windsor, comes to life at Centenary Stage Company for the 10th installment of the Great Authors Out Loud Series.

This free staged reading event, tracing the misadventures of one of Shakespeare’s greatest clowns, Sir John Falstaff, will be held on Sunday, Nov. 23 at 3 p.m. in the Edith Kutz Theater located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College.

This high-spirited romp centers on the lovable rogue Sir John Falstaff. Hard up for money and seeking to restore his riches, Falstaff attempts to seduce the wives of Windsor’s two most prominent men. But the wooed Windsor women see through his schemes, and his plans go awry — with disastrous and hilarious consequences.

Together with Charles Bright, Kim and Occhiogrosso founded the classical American Players Theatre (APT) in Spring Green, Wisconsin in 1981, and have worked together for 35 years. Winner of the OBIE Award for Sustained Excellence, Kim began his early career with the legendary Joe Papp and the New York Public Theatre’s Shakespeare Festival, and continued to perform leading roles at some of America’s finest regional theatres.

He has been seen on Broadway in "Flower Drum Song," "Golden Child" and "The King And I," but perhaps is most recognized as The Keymaker in the film "Matrix Reloaded," and the voice of Oogway in the DreamWorks’ animated film "Kung Fu Panda." Kim’s TV and film work includes the BBC Special "Prisoner in Time," "Anna and the King," "Memoirs of a Geisha," "Ninja Assassin" and more.

Director Anne Occhiogrosso has received national recognition for her work with APT. She is an acclaimed director, dramaturge, acting coach and actor, whose primary focus has been classical theatre with a special emphasis on the works of William Shakespeare. She has also taught at the Stella Adler Conservatory of Acting and the New York Shakespeare Festival and currently works with Classical Productions, Inc. where she coaches individuals in audition preparation, character development and script analysis for film, television and theater.

The Edith Kutz Theater is located in the David and Carol Lackland Center on the campus of Centenary College: 715 Grand Ave. Hackettstown. Admission is free, however, due to limited seating reservations are strongly encouraged. To make reservations call the CSC box office at 908-979–0900 or visit us online at centenarystageco.org. A lively discussion with the artists will follow the reading.