Great night out with local theatre! I had a free evening and Googled what was happening in the…read morearea, and this came up, specifically The Merry Wives of Windsor. For context, I frequently attend shows in Virginia and DC (4+ per year), especially at Sidney Harman in Chinatown, the Lansburgh in NW, and Synetic in Crystal City. Based on the show I attended, this company makes an effort to simulate elements of 16th century stage production (simple lighting, sets, non-specific gender casting, and mild audience participation). The space is nice and intimate - it's a converted Church with a stage, balcony, and cushioned pews; on the smaller side, so it's easy to snag an up-close seat.
I have to say, and again I only went to one production so far, I wholeheartedly disagree with the other review on here. That review was pretty hard on the audience participation aspect, but I sat very close to the stage and was comfortable the entire time. The participation was more general and whole-group than spectator specific. An actor would ask, for example, "How should I revenge him?!!" and someone in the audience might call out. Seemed low pressure to me, and it engaged the audience.
I actually felt this company likely does a much better job at being true to the play's original origins and intentions than most shows I see in the area, which usually have crazy modern takes or completely change the space/time of the original play and drop it into today's political era.
There was pre-show entertainment, mainly in the form of several actors singing and playing music together, and an actor announced upcoming events and explained some of what we would see with the stage production elements and what audience participation would look like, which made me comfortable. As for the pre-show and intermission entertainment overall, it was a nice and joyful touch. There's usually awkward silence/chatting, people reading phones, people standing up and waving wildly to find friends, and others just sitting and waiting around in theatre settings. Instead there were several actors on stage singing hits from the 70s on, with music accompaniment. A trio singing "No Scrubs" before The Merry Wives of Windsor?! Fantastic song choice!
Overall there was a fun atmosphere. Snacks and drinks ($5 wine) sold in the lobby, and there's a free parking lot behind the Church. Park in any unreserved space. And the ticket price was very affordable. I will return!