Shakespearean Shakeup: Merry Wives Star Injured, and In-Person Standby Lines Are Back

Posted on July 20, 2021 at 8:57 pm by Carol Tannenhauser

By Carol Tannenhauser

The official press opening of The Public Theater’s free Shakespeare in the Park production of Merry Wives has been postponed from July 27th to August 9th, because of an onstage injury sustained by its leading man, Playbill reported.

Jacob Ming-Trent plays Falstaff, the rotund rogue who appears in three of William Shakespeare’s plays. Merry Wives is an adaptation of his Merry Wives of Windsor. Written by Jocelyn Bioh and directed by Saheem Ali, it has been in previews since July 6th. (For most people, the postponement of the “official” opening doesn’t mean much. It’s more about when the press reviews start.)

Here is how The Public describes the show:

Set in South Harlem amidst a vibrant and eclectic community of West African immigrants, Merry Wives will be a celebration of Black joy, laughter, and vitality. A New York story about the tricks of the heart, performed in the heart of the city.

“Neither the nature nor the extent of (Ming-Trent’s) injury was disclosed,” according to Deadline.

”Understudy Brandon E. Burton will perform as Falstaff while Ming-Trent recuperates,” Playbill explained.

In a second change of plans The Public announced just hours ago that in-person standby tickets are back for Shakespeare in the Park starting today, July 20th, Broadway World informed us.

Tickets will be distributed as early as 6 p.m. to those with a Public Theater ID, which can be obtained here. Each person will receive a maximum of two tickets in either the Full-Capacity or Physically Distanced section of the Delacorte Theater.

If the instructions for seeing Shakespeare in the Park seem to be getting as confusing and difficult to decipher as the bard himself, check out The Public’s  explanation of the ways to get free Shakespeare in the Park tickets here.

ART, NEWS, OUTDOORS | 6 comments | permalink
    1. Gretchen says:
      July 20, 2021 at 9:24 pm

      Well, for anyone DESPERATE to see some fine Shakespeare, may I recommend Shakespeare in the Parking Lot, currently performing Two Noble Kinsmen, one of the Bard’s lesser know plays. While not as fancy as the Delacorte Theater, it’s still a delight. No one is turned away! BYO Everything! Expect cars coming and going.

      Performances run through July 30th in the parking lot of The Clemente, 107 Suffolk St. on the Lower East Side: Thurs. thru Sat.7/15/16/17; and Wed. thru Fri. 7/28, 29, 30; all at 7pm. Also can be seen in Bryant Park, Mon. thru Wed., 7/19, 20, 21 at 7:30pm.

      • Sid says:
        July 21, 2021 at 9:37 am

        Also UWS Hudson Warehouse is doing Shakespeare at the Soldiers & Sailors Monument on 89th st.

    2. Crankypants says:
      July 20, 2021 at 9:48 pm

      What a shi* show. Ive never understood the appeal of having to fight for a “free” ticket. Stream a show instead.

    3. Jim says:
      July 21, 2021 at 9:28 am

      I was at the show last Tuesday. When Jacob Ming-Trent ran up for the curtain call he tripped and fell. Most of the audience initially thought it was part of the show, but after he got up he was limping and had to be helped off the stage by the other actors. I’m assuming that’s the injury. Hopefully it’s minor. The show was phenomenal.