THE STORY: Set in South Harlem, amidst a vibrant and eclectic community of West African immigrants, MERRY WIVES is a New York story about tricks of the heart. A raucous spinoff featuring the Bard’s most beloved comic characters, this hilarious farce tells the story of the trickster Falstaff and the wily wives who outwit him in a celebration of Black joy, laughter, and vitality.
Included in
Broadway Book Club's Black Voices Specialty Collection.
“Jocelyn Bioh reshapes a comedy of clever women, frail men and harsh revenge into one of love and forgiveness…In this healing adaptation…even the worst old reprobates can be taught a lesson and welcomed back into the family.” —The New York Times.
“…a genuine marvel: A smartly clever clash of cultures, changing attitudes, and all the rich ways in which West African immigrants have made South Harlem their home…[Bioh’s] remixed script is full of lush lyricism and driven by a forceful commitment to portraying an immigrant community in all its lively facets, but make no mistake: Bioh is as dedicated to laugh lines as she is to the story of West Africans’ striving and thriving in America.” —Variety.
