Shakespeare in the Park 2026
Richard III (Puppet Edition) & The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff's Tale
by William Shakespeare
by William Shakespeare
Welcome from...
Cara Johnston, Director
&
Susan Fry, Executive Director
Cara Johnston, Director
&
Susan Fry, Executive Director
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What excites me most about this season is the range of theatrical imagination. Richard III (Puppet Edition) is so bold and visceral. Merry Wives is sheer, comedic delight. This all femme cast is a director's dream come true. They will surprise audiences and remind us how playful, immediate, and alive Shakespeare can be.
--- Cara Johnston I love that this season offers such a striking contrast and delicious cognitive dissonance. Our puppets are the perfect way to bring a dark, over-the-top play like Richard III to life (so to speak) while our abridged The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff's Tale is pure comedic joy, elevated even further by live music by the venerable Early Music Now. They show just how we can challenge ourselves to be inventive in connecting with people. We're only limited by our imaginations, love for William Shakespeare and delight in our audience. --- Susan Fry Thank you for joining the magic and merriment of Shakespeare in the Park. ---- Love, Cara and Susan ---- |
Shakespeare in the Park 2026 Schedule
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Every day is crafted to engage and entertain all afternoon...
1:00 PM ... Games and activities Available all afternoon, including....
1:40 PM on stage ... All About Richard III The low-down, the gossip, the history, and oh, the drama. 2:00 PM on stage ... Richard III (Puppet Edition) Approximately 55 minutes. About 3:30 PM ... New this year, we are following the shade and re-setting the stage configuration..... Just relax, enjoy some games, or cheer us on until we're all done then move your lawn chairs. 4:15 PM on stage ... All About The Merry Wives of Windsor Our version, and what we’ve gotten ourselves into. 4:30 PM on stage .... Early Music Now Approximately 25 minutes. 5:00 PM on stage... The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff’s Tale With live musical accompaniment by Early Music Now. Approximately 40 minutes. |
About the Plays
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Richard III is a fast-paced thriller in a bold new 50-minute adaptation brought to life like only puppets can. Blending medieval and Renaissance spectacle, puppets offer the perfect way to get inside one of Shakespeare’s most over-the-top villains, making the play’s dark material accessible, exhilarating, and tinged with theatrical delight. The puppets are designed by Courtney Miles and Adam McAleavey. Adam, who trained with an Emmy-winning Muppeteer, built all the puppets. Rounding out the crew is Billy Ray Olsen, Artistic Director of Angry Young Men, Milwaukee's premiere puppet theatre. This production places Richard at the center as the lone human, an outlier and "the other" with the remaining three powerhouse femme actors transforming into the court around him, portraying multiple characters apiece.
"A horse! a horse! My kingdom for a horse!" Richard III, Act V, sc 4 |
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Featuring....
- Libby Amato* as Richard
- Rebekah Farr as Duke of Clarence, Duke of Buckingham, Earl of Richmond, Messenger, and Ghost
- Annalyse Lapajenko* as Lord Hastings, Lady Anne, Second Murderer, King Edward IV, Mayor, York and Ghost
- Kaylene Howard* as Catesby, Queen Elizabeth, First Murderer, Prince Edward and Ghost
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More about Richard III - Shakespeare Vs History
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The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff's Tale delivers Shakespeare at his most mischievous, as Mistresses Page, Ford, and Quickly hilariously outwit the boastful braggart Falstaff, making his scheming attempts at seduction and extortion spectacularly backfire. This fast-paced comedy is cut to a lively 40 minutes, focusing solely on Falstaff’s foibles, and features musical interludes throughout by Early Music Now. This beloved Renaissance music company has been wowing audiences for nearly four decades and taking their third season at Shakespeare in the Park to a whole new level. With EMN as the “house band,” the show becomes a swirl of outrage, outrageous comedy, and joyful theatre.
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Featuring....
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More about The Merry Wives of Windsor: Falstaff's Tale
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The Cast
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Shakespeare in the Park’s 2026 season will be brought to life by an all femme ensemble of Powerhouse Actors, performing every role across both productions. Longtime SitP favorite Libby Amato*, a cornerstone of the company whose unforgettable performances include a one-woman Hamlet and Beatrice in last summer’s puppet Much Ado About Nothing.; Rebekah Farr, acclaimed for their work with The Constructivists and on staff with Pink Umbrella Theatre; and Kaylene Howard*, an Emerging Professional Resident at Milwaukee Rep and most recently gracing the stage at Renaissance Theatreworks in The Moors. Finally, hot off their return to Milwaukee from three years with the Royal Shakespeare Company in Stratford-Upon-Avon, Annalyse (Al) Lapajenko* rounds out the cast beautifully. Together our four artists will transform into dozens of characters, bring humor, heart, panache and perhaps a wee touch of ferocity to the 2026 season.
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Libby Amato*
Libby (she/her) is absolutely tickled to return for another summer at Optimist Theatre with this amazing cast, crew, and director. Previous Optimist credits include MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING, THE TAMING OF THE SHREW, and HAMLET among others. Upcoming credits include GREAT WHITE THRONE with Renaissance Theaterworks (fall 2026) and IN THE NEXT ROOM OR THE VIBRATOR PLAY with Next Act Theatre (winter 2027), where she also serves as Managing Director. Libby is an unapologetic cat lady, and would like to acknowledge Rory, Percy, Frances, and Wilfred. And as always…love you, Mom.
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Rebekah Farr
Rebekah Farr (she/they) has been working in Milwaukee as an actor, educator, and director since 2018. Past Shakespeare in the Park credits include Dromio of Syracuse in COMEDY OF ERRORS and Hermia in A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM. They are excited to be back with Optimist in both of these wonderful plays. Off stage, Rebekah is proud to be a Company Member with The Constructivists and Director, Teacher, and Program Manager at Pink Umbrella Theater Company. Special thanks to Cara for including them in this wonderful opportunity, and love to her ever supportive friends and family always
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Annalyse Lapajenko*
Long-time fan, first-time player! Annalyse Lapajenko is delighted to be making their Optimist Theatre debut. Favorite previous Shakespearean credits include Celia (AS YOU LIKE IT), Cassius, Calphurnia (JULIUS CAESAR), Lady Macbeth (MACBETH), Benedick, Beatrice (MUCH ADO ABOUT NOTHING) and Viola (TWELFTH NIGHT). Annalyse was also fortunate enough to work with the incredible members of The Shakespeare Institute in Stratford-upon-Avon as a dramaturg, text coach, and intimacy coordinator. In the rare moments when not teaching/performing/talking about Shakespeare, you can find them furiously inventing new cake combinations or working with animals over at the Humane Society. Special thanks and extra love to Ari, Matthew, the family, and the kitties Duck-Duck and Goose.
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Kaylene Howard*
Kaylene Howard (she/her) is a California native who is incredibly grateful to be making her Optimist Theatre debut! She received her training from the Pacific Conservatory of Performing Arts (PCPA) in Santa Maria and has called Milwaukee her home since 2020! Favorite past Shakespeare roles include Paulina, Camillo (THE WINTER'S TALE), Brutus, Calpurnia (JULIUS CAESAR), Titania (MIDSUMMER), Malcolm (MACBETH), and Ophelia (HAMLET). When not seeing theatre or being in the theatre, she loves watching Jeopardy with her cat, Sibella (she is secretly an 80-year-old woman). Love to Mom and Dad. Kaylene is a proud member of Actor's Equity Association.
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Your Shakespeare in the Park 2026 Team
Cara Johnston
Director and Dramaturg
Cara Johnston is a director, actor, and playwright originally from Dallas,Texas.
A critically acclaimed playwright, Cara's plays mix humor and heartbreak to tell women’s stories with imagination and heart. Her plays, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER AS PERFORMED BY THE QUEEN OF FRANCE AND HER FRIENDS and THE MADWOMAN, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, earning five-star reviews, an OffFest nomination, and an official selection for Frame of Mind, airing on PBS. Cara’s newest play, GREAT WHITE THRONE, will have its world premiere at Renaissance Theatreworks this fall- also featuring Libby Amato!
Recent acting credits: THE MAIDS, A COUNTRY LIFE (Classics Theatre Project), MISS BENNET (Acacia), L'APPARTEMENT (Renaissance Theatreworks). Cara exploded onto the Shakespeare in the Park stage as the irrepressibly engaging Peaseblossom in the original work ANOTHER MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in 2024. www.sisterjohnston.com
Director and Dramaturg
Cara Johnston is a director, actor, and playwright originally from Dallas,Texas.
A critically acclaimed playwright, Cara's plays mix humor and heartbreak to tell women’s stories with imagination and heart. Her plays, THE LITTLE GLASS SLIPPER AS PERFORMED BY THE QUEEN OF FRANCE AND HER FRIENDS and THE MADWOMAN, premiered at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, earning five-star reviews, an OffFest nomination, and an official selection for Frame of Mind, airing on PBS. Cara’s newest play, GREAT WHITE THRONE, will have its world premiere at Renaissance Theatreworks this fall- also featuring Libby Amato!
Recent acting credits: THE MAIDS, A COUNTRY LIFE (Classics Theatre Project), MISS BENNET (Acacia), L'APPARTEMENT (Renaissance Theatreworks). Cara exploded onto the Shakespeare in the Park stage as the irrepressibly engaging Peaseblossom in the original work ANOTHER MIDSUMMER NIGHT'S DREAM in 2024. www.sisterjohnston.com
Melissa Wanke*
AEA Stage Manager
Melissa is thrilled to return for her 10th season with Shakespeare in
the Park. She has also worked with First Stage, Door Shakespeare, The
Milwaukee Rep, Northern Sky Theater, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival,
American Players Theater and Florida Studio Theater. Melissa would like
to thank her family and her dog, Loki, for their support. Proud member
of Actors' Equity.
AEA Stage Manager
Melissa is thrilled to return for her 10th season with Shakespeare in
the Park. She has also worked with First Stage, Door Shakespeare, The
Milwaukee Rep, Northern Sky Theater, The Oregon Shakespeare Festival,
American Players Theater and Florida Studio Theater. Melissa would like
to thank her family and her dog, Loki, for their support. Proud member
of Actors' Equity.
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Artistic
Director and Dramaturg - Cara Johnston Stage Manager - Melissa Wanke* Assistant Stage Manager - Molly Schmidt Cast - Libby Amato*,Rebekah Farr, Kaylene Howard* and Annalyse Lapajenko* Costume Designer - Grace Thompson Set Designer - Courtney Miles Props Designer - Matt Norby Soundscape Designer and Fight Director - Ron Fry Production
Production Manager - Susan Fry Production Crew Lead, Location Photographer and Flautist - Katy Lane Sound Engineer - Riley McTaggert Wardrobe - Carter Bauer Production Road Crew - Benji DeTorre, Danny Pobaruyev and Yousef Gardezi Dee Bryn - Accessibility Surveys Staff
Susan Fry - Executive Director Social Media, Graphic Design, PR - Beth Lewinski Grant Writer - Karen Samelson Craft Services Community Outreach - Hillary Walkowicz |
Richard III Puppet People
Designer - Courtney Miles Designer and Builder - Adam McAleavey Puppeteering Skills Trainer - Billy Ray Olsen Early Music Now and The Merry Wives of Windsor 'Band" Early Music Now - Executive Director Chuck Grosz Early Music Now Musicians - Tim Sterner Miller and Brett Lipshutz Original music for the play by Tim Sterner Miller 
House, Surveys & Games
House and Games Manager - Jenni Glueckstein Surveys Manager - Norma Mortimer House Team Member - Guest Relations - Chris Carey House, Surveys and Games Team Member - Sofia DeTorre, Annabelle Singer and Theo Christenson * Member of or appearing courtesy of Actors' Equity Association
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Also Happening Today...
Your Seating Configuration and the Stage Location Will Shift Between Shows
Sun, Stages, Shade, Shift
Sun...
The audience seating area most of the places we play is in a combination of sun and shade. In years past, we attempted to find a happy medium - seeking shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances. That was less than successful. Because guess what? The earth rotates and the shade moves with it. Sigh.
Stages...
Richard III at 2:00 plays on an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by transforming the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up.
Shade...
Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to also shift it's placement to follow the shade. That might mean the 4:00 stage will end up behind you, beside you, to the left of you or..... Let's find out together.
Shift...
Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done.
Sun...
The audience seating area most of the places we play is in a combination of sun and shade. In years past, we attempted to find a happy medium - seeking shade for both the 2:00 and 5:00 performances. That was less than successful. Because guess what? The earth rotates and the shade moves with it. Sigh.
Stages...
Richard III at 2:00 plays on an intimate thrust-style stage where the audience sits on 3 sides of the action. After the show, the stage crew will reconfigure the stage by transforming the thrust into more traditional proscenium set-up.
Shade...
Because we have to reconfigure the stage and seating area after the 2:00 show, we're going to also shift it's placement to follow the shade. That might mean the 4:00 stage will end up behind you, beside you, to the left of you or..... Let's find out together.
Shift...
Just relax while we make the shift. Please re-join the fun after we're done.
Extra Special Thanks from Susan....
Extra special thanks from Susan Fry to...
- Karen Samelson for all her years of dedicated, thorough and absolutely underpaid grant writing
- Cara Johnston for saying YES and inspiring me to do the same
- Melissa Wanke for teaching me what a great stage manager is and for ruining me for any other stage manager ever.
- Libby Amato for being practically a company member if we had a company
- Loni Boyd and Simon Provan with the Wisconsin Lutheran College Theater Dept and Center for Performing Arts for making it possible
- Bridgett Gonzales with Bader Philanthropies for asking all the hard questions and helping give us wings
- Jason Crye with the Lynde & Harry Bradley Foundation for showing me what it looks like to step up to the plate
- Julie Dahms with Herzfeld Foundation for helping manifest dreams
- Chuck Grosz with Early Music Now
- Nicola DeTorre for sussing up and wrangling our whole production and house crew
- Friends of Lincoln Park
- Sherman Park Community Association
- Friends of Grant Park
- Andrew Krueger and Benjamin Marquardt with the Milwaukee County Parks Dept
Our Sponsors
Shakespeare in the Park is free to see but far from free to produce. These amazing organizations help make it all possible.
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