Chicago Tribune - Somewhat Recommended
"...Merry throughout, this "Merry Wives:" is bursting at the seams with set pieces and savvy staging ideas, ranging from turning Matthew Mueller's Fenton into an American GI (hence that oversexed line, a common Brit put-down of the chosen era) to all manner of amusing shtick involving a neighing horse, an ailing turtle (or maybe a tortoise) and God knows what else. On Wednesday, a good portion of the audience guffawed away all night at Greg Vinkler's buffoonish Dr. Caius or Steven Sutcliffe's snarky Slender. Understandably. With winter's rushed arrival, we could use a hearty chuckle. And while designer James Noone's Windsor streetscape doesn't look any kind of Windsor at any point in time, it still evokes a kind of warped retro charm, which doubtless was the point, especially when combined with Susan E. Mickey's satirical costumes, which poke hearty fun at the wearings of the numerous eccentrics you invariably can find in any English village. Noone even provided a haberdasher's shop window, wherein Sir John can stand and give people the finger."
Chicago Sun Times - Recommended
"...Gaines has deftly updated "Merry Wives" to post-World War II England, where soldiers who have returned from the battlefield find women who are now feeling their oats, and where everyone bursts into song or swing dancing to the pop tunes of the period. She also has made sure a gentle snow is falling."
Chicago Reader - Somewhat Recommended
"...The gag is that each rendezvous triggers a more elaborate humiliation, but the gag goes only so far: Merry Wives is basically a single skit repeated three times over the course of five acts. Gaines moves in on it with a zeal Sam Zell would envy, updating the action to the 1940s and importing popular songs of the era so as to turn her production into an ersatz jukebox musical. Every double entendre is spotlighted, the hamminess is pushed hard, and not just one but three dogs get cameos. The cuteness offensive doesn't work, though. Despite yeomen's service from some solid Chicago actors, Gaines's maneuvers just make the bankruptcy more festive. The return on investment is tedium."
Windy City Times - Highly Recommended
"...This is a workout far more strenuous than lugubrious tragedy, but chasing away the darkness of a prematurely frigid winter is a serious responsibility. Chicago Shakespeare's 25-strong troupers ( counting the canines ) acquit themselves with unflagging energy and infectious charm right up to the all-important group-hug ending where the foolish strays, presumably wiser for their punishment, are welcomed back into the community."
Centerstage - Somewhat Recommended
"...Unfortunately it's an example of period staging doing more to overwhelm the text than enhance it. Most Shakesperean productions, even of the comedies, allow for considerably more variance in tone than Gaines' Windsor. Even as we laugh, there are usually emotional stakes. We care what happens between Benedick and Beatrice or Basssanio and Beatrice. This production gives rather short shrift to relationships, although Ross Lehman gives a good performance as the jealous Master Ford who must learn to trust his wife."
Time Out Chicago - Somewhat Recommended
"...That humiliation is the redeeming factor of this production, primarily because of the strong chemistry among Fox, Kettenring and Jaeck. The two women delight in tormenting the man who has given them the kind of attention their husbands don't, making their relationships with Falstaff far more passionate than the bonds they share with their spouses. A supporting cast of Chicago mainstays like Lehman, Kevin Gudahl and James Harms does mostly competent work, but fails to breathe life into a romantic plot that's dead on arrival. It may not be era-appropriate, but there's a certain Righteous Brothers tune that would be the perfect song choice for a show that never finds that loving feeling."
Chicago On the Aisle - Highly Recommended
"...You never know what pared-down, free-wheeling adaptation of Shakespeare you're going to get at Chicago Shakespeare Theater. But even for CST, its 1940s setting of "The Merry Wives of Windsor," complete with a musical track of period pop tunes, takes fast-and-loose into a new dimension. It's also a complete delight."
Stage and Cinema - Recommended
"...Gaines can command Chicago’s best talents. James Harms delivers a sweetly gangly and delightfully good-natured Justice Shallow, Greg Vinkler offers a Clouseau-like accent as Dr. Caius, and Steven Sutcliffe, mousing into a bookworm as silly Slender, all goof up gloriously as the ill-suited suitors. Tiffany Yvonne Cox and Matt Mueller are suitably romantic as the true lovers who discover each other by process of elimination. Don Forston, a potential Falstaff himself, has great fun as the bumptious inn host. The second act contains a chase scene worthy of Benny Hill or a Mack Sennett silent comedy. As for blatant scene-stealing, this production features three very different dogs: Under perfect control (and three leashes), they melt the audience’s hearts throughout the 160 minutes."
ChicagoCritic - Highly Recommended
"...Matt Mueller's empathetic Fenton and Tiffany Yvonne Cox's Anne Page demonstrated how true love can prevails as the patrons of Windsor eventually resolve their jealous rages. The journey from scandal to forgiveness is two plus hours of silly actions that engages us. I laughed plenty as I marveled at the brilliant work of this ensemble. The action is furious and non-stop; the antics are manic and playful. Don't miss this show."
Chicago Stage and Screen - Highly Recommended
"...As soon as the curtain came down, I wanted to see it again. Get thee to the Being- Remodeled-Pier and take in this show even after all the holiday hype is over and the wrappings and trappings are gone. The frosty streets of Windsor and the magical tree in the forest will still hold a sparkle, and you will need these belly laughs to make it through the long dark cold winter nights. If you have young people about who need to get into the habit of theater, taking them here will make you a hero and get them away from their screens."
Let's Play at ChicagoNow - Highly Recommended
"...THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR is a cheerful romp. It has all the glee of the season without an actual Christmas plot. It's everything you want in a holiday farce. There are snow flurries, adorable dogs and a happy ending."
Around The Town Chicago - Highly Recommended
"...It is of course the cast that truly makes us laugh and care and Ms. Gaines has assembled Chicago's finest to bring this production to life. Falstaff become larger than life as played by Scott Jaeck, who shows his comical touches from the very start. The two women/wives are played by Heidi Kettenring and Kelli Fox, both highly talented and very energetic, with their husbands being handled by the always relaible Kevin Gudahl and the hysterical Ross Lehman ( a master of Shakespeare when it comes to comic timing). These are just for starters, as the cast list goes on and on."
Chicago Theatre Review - Highly Recommended
"...Ever the inventive, creative director, Barbara Gaines' latest production rethinks one of Shakespeare's lesser plays and, with just a few alterations, makes it one of the comic highlights of the season. Setting it in a snow-covered wonderland, throwing in some cute dogs and kids and adding songs that will spark memories with baby boomers immediately turns this brash, bawdy buffoonery into a funny, warm holiday comedy that families will enjoy and remember always."
Chicagoland Theater Reviews - Highly Recommended
"...There is a natural zest to this staging that allows the audience to wonder if "Merry Wives" could be done in any other style. Certainly, it's hard to imagine it being performed any better. Yes, Barbara Gaines has taken some liberties, but in what a glorious cause, elevating a potentially wearisome exercise in broad comedy into nearly three hours of uninterrupted imaginative hijinks. A perfect show for people who think that Shakespeare is inaccessible or boring."