Fall/Winter 1899, in a small New York town on the upper Hudson River, called Windsor. The turn of the century - a simpler time - but they were new to the light bulb, the automobile, the first movies, the tense developments in Europe that would lead to the first Great War. They were probably as scared as we are now.     The rumor is that Shakespeare wrote The Merry Wives of Windsor to please Queen Elizabeth, who asked to see 'Falstaff in love.' It was probably written to honor a 'royal progress' she made to Windsor for a celebration of her long, glorious reign. In turning this celebration to the slipping of one century into another, this play still celebrates ordinary, real, small town middle-class folks who won't be bullied by sham 'swells.'     Recognize the people of Windsor and enjoy them as your own.     Happy New Century

The Merry Wives of Windsor