Pittsburgh Shakespeare in the Parks rings in fall 2026 by reimagining The Merry Wives of Windsor “as a joyful, flamboyant celebration of pride set against the vibrant gay club culture of the 1980s.” Directed by Catherine Aceto and opening September 4 at Highland Park, the production hits five outdoor sites through October 11.

“It’s the ’80s,” explains Aceto. “MTV arrived in our living rooms with music videos that blew sex and gender roles right out the window. Boys in makeup. Girls in cropped hair and business suits. Madonna’s unashamed sexual enjoyment of being in her own body for her own purposes … but the play is never mean-spirited.” 

The farce finds Falstaff short on cash as he “pursues the purses of a sharp-witted drag queen and her best friend. As their husbands’ suspicions grow, the merry wives devise an increasingly outrageous plan to outwit — and ultimately humiliate — the would-be homewrecker. The hunter becomes the hunted in this silly, subversive comedy about love, marriage, identity, and community.”

“We are so delighted to open our 22nd season with this comedy,” said Artistic Director Jennifer Tober, noting that it is the second such opening for The Merry Wives, which was presented by Pittsburhg Shakespeare in the Parks 15 years ago.“We love reimagining Shakespeare plays as fun, fresh and relevant to today’s audience.”

The cast features Joanna Getting as Falstaff, with Christopher Rone, Cassandra Hackbart, Alvaro Munoz, Ivy Mackinson, Allie Burns, Meredith Kocur, and Robert Masterson. The creative team includes music director by Matt Calvetti, choreographer Tome’ Cousin, and costume designer Richard Lyle, with set and props by Samantha Kuchta. 

PSiP performances are free and open to the public. For more information, visit https://www.pittsburghshakespeare.org/. 

‘THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR’ FALL 2026 SCHEDULE

HIGHLAND PARK

• Friday, September 4, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, September 5, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, September 6, 2 p.m.
• Friday, September 11, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, September 12, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, September 13, 2 p.m.

FRICK PARK

• Friday, September 18, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, September 19, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, September 20, 2 p.m.

HAZELWOOD GREEN

• Friday, September 25, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, September 26, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, September 27, 2 p.m.

RIVERVIEW PARK (NORTH SIDE)

• Friday, October 2, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, October 3, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, October 4, 2 p.m.

WESTINGHOUSE PARK

• Friday, October 9, 6 p.m.
• Saturday, October 10, 2 p.m.
• Sunday, October 11, 2 p.m.

Categories: Arts and Ideas, Show Previews

Tags: Frick Park, Hazlewood Green, Highland Park, Merry Wives of Windsor, North Side, Pittsburgh, Riverview Park, Shakespeare in the Parks, Westinghouse Park