CEDAR HILLS — As someone who studied Shakespeare from a literature perspective while living in London, I always approach productions of his work with a certain degree of caution. Shakespeare can be exhilarating when performed well, but it can also feel painfully long when a production struggles to bring the text to life. Adding to my uncertainty was the fact that this was my first experience with Creekside Theatre Fest, so I didn’t have anything to support any level of expectation. I have to admit, an outdoor Shakespeare production in a park with general admission seating on a grassy hillside, a child selling warm drinks from a cooler, and a preview performance featuring several timid volunteers did not immediately signal a polished theatrical experience.
I’m happy to report, however, that my concerns were largely unfounded. Despite a shaky opening scene, Creekside Theatre Fest’s production of The Merry Wives of Windsor ultimately proved to be a charming, funny, and surprisingly polished evening of theater. Under the direction of Chris Hults, the production embraces the comedy at the heart of Shakespeare’s play while making excellent use of its unique outdoor setting. By the end of the evening, I found myself thoroughly entertained and happily recommending the show to anyone looking for an enjoyable summer theater experience.
A Rough Start That Quickly Found Its Footing
It is worth noting that the performance I attended was a preview performance, and the opening scene reflected that reality. The production began somewhat unevenly, and for a few moments I worried I was in for a long evening. Chris Scadden as Sir Hugh Evans appeared to struggle with multiple lines, while Marian Scadden‘s Robert Shallow delivered dialogue at such a slow pace that I genuinely couldn’t determine whether it was an intentional character choice or a performer working through opening-night nerves.
Fortunately, those concerns disappeared almost immediately after the first scene ended. It was a completely different production from that moment forward.
The production seemed to settle into itself, and suddenly the humor, energy, and confidence that Shakespeare’s comedy requires emerged in full force. What followed was an engaging and consistently entertaining performance that rarely lost momentum.
A Strong Cast Led by Outstanding Comic Performances
The cast as a whole was well chosen and demonstrated a strong understanding of the play’s comedic style. Shakespeare’s humor can be difficult to deliver effectively, particularly for modern audiences, but this ensemble generally succeeded in finding the comedy without forcing it.
Liam Owens was excellent as Sir John Falstaff, the larger-than-life schemer at the center of the play. Falstaff requires an actor capable of balancing arrogance, charm, and foolishness, and Owens delivered all of those qualities with ease. His performance anchored the production and provided many of its funniest moments.
For me, however, the standout performance of the evening belonged to Ziggy Watene as Doctor Caius. Every time Watene stepped onstage, the energy level seemed to rise. His comedic timing was exceptional, and his willingness to fully commit to the character created some of the production’s biggest laughs. One particular ad-lib drew a huge audience response and demonstrated the kind of spontaneity that makes live theater so much fun. His portrayal was consistently hilarious without ever feeling overplayed.
The supporting cast also deserves recognition for creating a cohesive ensemble. Shakespeare’s comedies succeed when every performer contributes to the rhythm and momentum of the piece, and this company largely accomplished that goal.
Making Shakespeare Work Outdoors
One of the most impressive aspects of the production was how effectively the team handled the challenges of outdoor performance.
Because the production takes place in a park rather than a traditional theater, sound could easily have become a major obstacle. Yet for most of the evening, Zac Bringhurst‘s sound design worked remarkably well. Using microphones positioned at the front of the stage, the production managed to maintain a surprising level of clarity throughout much of the performance.
After the difficult opening scene, I was impressed by how consistently audible the actors were despite the ambient noise that comes with a public park with a nearby playground.
The primary issue arose whenever actors moved too far from the microphones. Chris Hults’ staging frequently utilized the full performance space, including areas farther back on Canon Hadfield‘s set and occasionally into the audience itself. These were excellent directorial choices that added energy and variety to the production. Unfortunately, they sometimes placed performers beyond the optimal range of the sound setup, making dialogue harder to hear. The issue was relatively minor but noticeable enough to occasionally pull focus from the action.
Strong Design Elements Elevate the Experience
Another pleasant surprise was the overall production quality.
Canon Hadfield’s set design created an attractive playing space that supported the action while fitting naturally into the outdoor environment. The production never felt limited by its location. Instead, the setting became part of its charm.
The costumes, designed by Jen Christensen and Sarah Wilkins, are particularly impressive. Outdoor summer productions often operate with limited resources, but the costumes consistently looked polished and thoughtfully assembled. They helped establish character and added visual richness to the performance.
Similarly, Zac Bringhurst’s lighting design deserves praise, especially during a performance that transitioned from daylight into evening. The lighting effectively guided audience focus and contributed to the atmosphere as darkness gradually settled over the park.
Taken together, the design elements helped create a production that felt far more substantial than I initially expected.
What Audiences Should Know Before Attending
Part of Creekside Theatre Fest’s appeal is its relaxed atmosphere. This is not a traditional theater experience, and audiences should plan accordingly.
Bring a chair or blanket, since seating is on a grassy hillside. Bring layers as well; temperatures can cool significantly once the sun goes down. Bug spray is also highly recommended. The venue itself is beautiful, though the audience faces directly toward the setting sun. You may want sunglasses or some other strategy for blocking the sunlight. In my case, the printed playbill worked surprisingly well (and speaking of playbills, a quick note of appreciation for Creekside Theatre Fest providing an actual printed program rather than relying solely on a QR code).
The relaxed environment also allows outside food, and audience members seemed happy to take advantage of that freedom. During the performance, I spotted everything from homemade popcorn to full Chick-fil-A meals.
Final Thoughts
By the end of the evening, The Merry Wives of Windsor had completely won me over. What began as a somewhat concerning opening scene transformed into a genuinely enjoyable production filled with strong performances, clever staging, quality design work, and plenty of laughs. Chris Hults and his creative team have crafted a production that embraces both the humor of Shakespeare’s text and the unique charm of outdoor summer theater.
Most importantly, the show accomplishes the task that every Shakespeare comedy should strive for: it makes the audience laugh while making the language accessible and entertaining. For theatergoers who may be hesitant about Shakespeare, this production offers an approachable and enjoyable introduction. For Shakespeare fans, it provides a fun evening with a talented cast and a beautiful outdoor setting.
Simply put, Creekside Theatre Fest’s The Merry Wives of Windsor is a delightful surprise and well worth adding to your summer theater calendar.
SHOW INFO: The Merry Wives of Windsor at Creekside Theatre Festival runs until July 1st. The performances take place at Heritage Park in Cedar Hills (4425 W Cedar Hills Dr, Cedar Hills, UT 84062). Tickets range from $20-$25 and can be purchased online at their website here: https://www.creeksidetheatrefest.org/wwwshowtix4ucom/events