Rome Shakespeare Festival: Connecting Stories Across Time

In June 2024, I directed and produced the 9th Annual Rome Shakespeare Festival, which captivated audiences over two weekends of open-air performances on the Town Green. The festival featured a unique pairing of The (Real) Merry (House)Wives of Windsor and A Streetcar Named Desire, chosen to explore how these two plays connect and interact. This juxtaposition of Shakespearean comedy and Southern Gothic drama highlighted themes of power, love, and societal dynamics, offering audiences a fresh perspective on both classics.

One of the most fascinating parallels emerged between the two sisters and Stanley from Streetcar, and the two housewives and Falstaff from Merry Wives. Initially, I expected Stanley and Falstaff to share more overlap as figures of unchecked power, but instead, I found a deeper connection between Blanche and Falstaff. Both serve as interlopers who disrupt the established order, only to leave as the world resets around them.

These plays also revealed the dynamic power shifts in relationships, particularly through the games of control played by men and women. In Merry Wives, the housewives cleverly outmaneuver Falstaff, turning his schemes into their triumph. In contrast, Streetcar lays bare the volatile struggles between Stanley and Blanche, where love, manipulation, and control create a battle for dominance. Together, the performances highlighted the intricate power plays that define male and female interactions, underscoring how love can both empower and dismantle.

With free performances, local pre-show entertainment, and a welcoming atmosphere, the festival fostered community engagement and celebrated the transformative power of theater.