BPA's The Bard at the Bloedel to Present THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR

Join us in July for The Bard at Bloedel: BPA's 5th Annual Summertime Shakespeare performance - THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR - at The Bloedel Reserve.

Embraced by audiences as one of Shakespeare's most delightful plays, this most merry and English of comedies centers on the lovable rogue Sir John Falstaff. Hard up for money and seeking to restore his riches, he sends identical love letters to two wealthy wives. But the wooed Windsor women see through his schemes and set him up for some hilariously sweet revenge. BPA transforms the Bloedel meadow into the Windsor forest in this farce that's not to be missed.

Director Kristi Ann Jacobson leads a stellar cast of BPA favorites and newcomers, including Jennifer Hodges (MISTRESS FORD), Ali Budge (MISTRESS PAGE), John Ellis (SIR JOHN FALSTAFF), Pete Benson (FORD), Matt Eldridge (PAGE), Max Martina (SIR Hugh Evans), Gary Fetterplace (DOCTOR CAIUS), Jeanette Oswald (MISTRESS QUICKLY), Citori Luecht (Anne Page), Isaac Ettobi (FENTON), Derek Villanueva (ABRAHAM SLENDER), George Shannon (ROBERT SHALLOW), Alex Sanso (NYM / JOHN), Geoff Schmidt (PISTOL / ROBERT), Victoria Brown (HOSTESS OF THE GARTER INN), Evelyn Cantwell (ROBIN), Garrett Guse (John Rugby), Ben Eldridge (SIMPLE), and Chapple Langemack (GUEST OF THE GARTER INN).

This summer marks Kristi Ann's 5th year with the BPA Shakespeare program No matter how busy her schedule, each summer she finds herself drawn back to the magic of the meadow to revel in the words of The Bard. This year promises to be a merry one. As Mistress Page says to Mistress Ford, "Wives may be merry and yet honest too." She looks forward to THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR being "As merry as crickets."

The Bloedel Reserve on Bainbridge Island is an internationally renowned public garden and forest preserve whose mission is to "enrich people's lives through a premier public garden of natural and designed Pacific Northwest landscapes." The BPA Shakespeare Society's summertime performance aligns seamlessly with the founder's vision "to provide refreshment and tranquility in the presence of natural beauty."

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR appears at The Bloedel Reserve, 7571 NE Dolphin Drive, Bainbridge Island, with shows on July 7, 8, 9, 13, 14, 15, 16, 20, 21, 22, and 23, plus a special Pay-What-You-Can Preview on July 6. All performances are at 7:00 p.m. Audience members should be prepared for a breathtakingly-beautiful 5-minute walk between the parking area and meadow. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. Patrons may enter the grounds earlier by paying a reduced same-day-only rate of $5.00 valid after 4:30 p.m. Patrons must be on the Will Call list or present their ticket(s) to Bloedel Reserve to take advantage of this offer.

Picnics will be allowed in the meadow after 6:00 p.m. Beer and wine will ONLY be available for purchase; Outside alcohol will not be permitted. Just over two hours, the production has one intermission. Patrons are advised to bring their own seats, low lawn chairs, or blankets on which to sit. Staff members will assist patrons upon their arrival in the meadow. Seating on blankets will be in front; seating in elevated chairs will be in rear. Space is limited, and seating is first come first served. As there is no ADA parking close to the stage, patrons requiring handicap access can make use of a Shuttle drop off at the stage area. Patrons shall please note that the audience area is a grassy region and that there is no paved access to the meadow.

BPA's 2013, 2014, 2015, and 2016 productions were met with rave reviews and sold out quickly; patrons are strongly encouraged to purchase their tickets in advance.Tickets, $25 for adults, and $20 for seniors, students, youth, military, and teachers, may be purchased online at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, by phone at 206.842.8569 or in person at BPA, 200 Madison Avenue North, Bainbridge Island. BPA Box Office hours are 1:00 to 4:00 p.m. Wednesday through Friday, and one hour prior to each performance. Contact Production Manager Siobhan Maguire at 206.842.8569 for additional information.

Performances will continue as scheduled in very light rain. In the event of more inclement weather, performances will be canceled at the discretion of the production crew to ensure the safety and comfort of our performers and patrons. While we are unable to provide refunds for weather-related cancellations, ticket holders for any canceled performances will be welcome to join us on another date of their choice.

Bainbridge Performing Arts extends special thanks to Title Sponsor Merrill Lynch Wealth Management. BPA is supported, in part, by Bainbridge Community Foundation and One Call for All. Bainbridge Performing Arts is pleased to offer an "Open Doors" program. Free and reduced-cost tickets to most events are available to community members in need through our partner Helpline House thanks to grants from BCF, the Mabee Family Foundation, and the Alder Fund at the Bainbridge Community Foundation. Please contact the BPA Box Office at 206.842.8569 or Helpline House to reserve tickets today.

Find out more about BPA at www.bainbridgeperformingarts.org, or check us out on Facebook (www.facebook.com/BPAonline and www.facebook.com/BainbridgeSymphonyOrchestra), follow Bainbridge Performing Arts on LinkedIn (www.linkedin.com/company/bainbridge-performing-arts) and Twitter (@BPAPresents). Check online for the latest on theatre and symphony auditions, complete theatre school and adult class offerings, performance listings, tickets, promos, and more. Go to "About BPA" and click on "Get Our Newsletter" to receive electronic performance announcements and behind-the-scenes news.

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