The Merry Wives of Windsor

Early in Shakespeare's Merry Wives of Windsor, a group of country gentleman discuss a dog belonging to one of them. The modest Mister Page calls the hound "a cur", but the obsequious Justice Shallow declares the creature to be "good and fair." From this casual exchange arose director Barbara Gaines' vision of a London suburb inhabited by not just one, but three dogs—the aforementioned Mister Page's hunting beagle (a greyhound, in the original text), the Garter Inn proprietor's Great Dane, and a mixed-breed poodle-retriever, the beloved pet of Doctor Caius, a French physician-turned-veterinarian.

Life in Windsor, according to Gaines, also includes full-stage laundry fights and full-auditorium chases for actors both two and four-footed, their madcap pursuit passing inches from front-row spectators. Fortunately, the resumes of the canine trio boast professional training—Lego, the beagle, and Gunther, the Dane (no relation to Hamlet), received their education at River North's Call of the Wild School for Dogs under the tutelage of Jennifer Boznos, a long-time associate of Gaines, whose own dog, Cricket, also an alumnus of Call of the Wild, appears in the play.

"The dogs all know basic commands, but Jen didn't have them rehearsing with the cast until after we began working onstage about two weeks before first preview," says Gaines, "The actors were told when signing on that they would have to be comfortable with the animals—many arrived already dog-savvy from their own experiences."

Lego and Gunther begin their day at six o'clock when they report to their backstage dressing room, Cricket preferring the familiar environment of Gaines' office, following the nightly run-through of the scene where the young boy, Robin—played by Michael Semanic—croons "Them There Eyes" to his furry companion. On two-show days, the pooches spend the time between the afternoon and evening performances much the same way as the other company members—eating, relaxing and taking walks along the Pier (accompanied by designated "wrangler" Jason Rohm).

Does the dizzying number of swift entrances and exits—with actors sometimes lifting the dogs bodily and carrying them offstage—ever make for problems? "Except for Cricket's one scene, the dogs are always leashed, but they are thoroughly familiarized in their various routines and the actors with whom they most often appear." Gaines assures me, "Our dogs have fun while staying focused. Their training includes rewards of doggie treats, so tails are always wagging."

Speaking of doggie treats, have you had any audience bow-wowsers sending gifts of pig's ears or chew-toys backstage, instead of flowers? "Well, our canine facilities are already well-outfitted with snacks and amusements," Gaines admits, then adds, "But if playgoers want to be especially appreciative of our hard-working dogs, we suggest that they make a donation to a shelter. All dogs deserve comfortable surroundings and star billing."

The Merry Wives of Windsor runs at Chicago Shakespeare through January 19.

Mary Shen Barnidge
Contributing Writer