Playhouse youth workshop to stage Shakespeare's 'Merry Wives of Windsor'

Participants in the 11th annual Youth Theatre Workshop Shakespeared! will present a production of Shakespeare's "The Merry Wives of Windsor" on Saturday, June 27.

The production will begin at 7 p.m. at the Putnam County Playhouse Hazel Day Longden Theatre off Round Barn Road in Greencastle.

The evening will include two versions of the comedy, one by middle school students directed by TJ Tincher and Bethany Bax and a second version presented with high school students and beyond directed by YTW creator Caroline Good who is being assisted by Billy Burke.

Tickets are $3 for audience members 12 years of age and older. Younger viewers are admitted free. Festival seating is the order of the day.

The box office will open at 6:15 p.m.

The workshop is sponsored by Shuee's Furniture and Mattress.

Both versions are adaptations of the original material that contain modern references, unusual costumes and familiar music.

Director Good said, "The entire Shakespeared! experience is designed to challenge the young player and to demystify the bard's lively text in a fun and engaging way, empowering them with ownership of it."

Participants in leading roles in the middle school group include Craig Robinson, Anna Norris, Isabella Brown, Grant Pettit, Hope Roberts, Zoe Weltz and Michael Thede.

Others in the large cast include William Roberts, Brenigan Warren, Fiona Good, Leo Brown, Dale Dye Thomas and Gabby Roberts.

Also onstage in the middle school production will be Connor Shepherd, Callie Wehrman, Laney Collier, Ella Dye Thomas, Jadin Hill, Ava Magnity and Katie White.

Props director for the show is Noah Pettit, while Zethor Peterson and Grant Pettit are also on the stage crew.

Those with leading roles in the older group include Samantha Flannelly, Chloe Maginity, Donovan Asbell, Dylan Bodnarick, Gwen Mazur, Bowie Foote, David Maginity and Chloe Bodnarick.

Supporting roles will be played by Noah Pettit, Tyler Hopper, Jerica Bean, Abe Anglin, Libby Brush, Zoe Hagymasi, Michael Germain, Addison Hughes, Susanna Howard and Haley Wilson.

The ensemble includes Charlie Good and Joan Warren.