Elm Shakespeare returns for it’s 28th season of free Shakespeare in the park with professional artists from all around the country. This year’s production of Merry Wives of Windsor, running Aug. 17 to Sept. 3, is expected to be a wild romp that will make people of all ages laugh.

The show will be performed on the two-story playhouse stage gifted by Technolutions CEO Alexander Clark, of North Haven, last year. Dawn Monique Williams will direct the production. As a director, Williams seeks to challenge conventional interpretations of Shakespeare by infusing the plays with contemporary relevance, diversity, and anachronistic elements.

Merry Wives of Windsor revolves around the comedic and cunning antics of two housewives, Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, as they outwit the knight Sir John Falstaff. The play was written at the request of Queen Elizabeth I, who was fond of the character Falstaff from Shakespeare's earlier plays. Sir John Falstaff, a larger-than-life character known for his wit and bawdy humor, finds himself in Windsor and in need of money. He concocts a plan to seduce Mistress Ford and Mistress Page, believing that he can use their infatuation with him to his advantage.

He sends identical love letters to both women, thinking that his charms will win their hearts and their fortunes. However, the clever and resourceful wives quickly uncover Falstaff's scheme and decide to teach him a lesson. They team up and, with the help of their mischievous friends, devise a series of pranks and deceptions to humiliate Falstaff and expose his true intentions. In the meantime, true love is tested and parental affection is tried as well as love, deception, and the power of cleverness are explored.

By incorporating what she terms “radical anachronism” into the production, especially popular modern music, Williams seeks to explore new perspectives, challenge established norms, and make the story more relevant and accessible to a diverse audience.

Free Summer Performances will begin 7:30 p.m. on Thursday, Aug. 17 and run through Sunday, Sep. 3, every day except Mondays in Edgerton Park, at 75 Cliff Street, New Haven. Donations are encouraged on a pay what you can basis, with suggested amount of $25 per adult. A limited number of listening-assistance devices and large-print scripts will be available at all performances. Seating is open and picnicking prior to the performance is encouraged. More information is available at www.Elmshakespeare.org