Merry Wives
by Jocelyn Bioh

Name: Merry Wives
Brand: Jocelyn Bioh
SKU: 9780822242390
Rating: 4 (10 reviews)

Off-Broadway

Merry Wives Book Cover — Merry Wives Cover

Highlights

Female

Male

120 minsPresent DayRole(s) for Black Actor(s)Unit Set/Multiple SettingsContemporary Costumes/Street ClothesComedy

Awards & Recognition

Obie AwardTony Award

Nominee: Six 2022 Antonyo Awards, including Best Revival Nominee: One 2022 Obie Award, for Excellence in Directing

Synopsis

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.

Press Reviews

"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

Characters

Character	Gender	Age	Description
Madam Nkechi Ford Nigerian, entrepreneur and laundromat owner.	—	—	Nigerian, entrepreneur and laundromat owner.
Madam Ekua Page Ghanaian, a socialite.	—	—	Ghanaian, a socialite.
Mister Nduka Ford Nigerian, very proud and wise.	—	—	Nigerian, very proud and wise.
Mister Kwame Page Ghanaian, well-intentioned and kind.	—	—	Ghanaian, well-intentioned and kind.
Anne Page Ghanaian, the beautiful ingenue.	—	—	Ghanaian, the beautiful ingenue.
Doctor Caius Senegalese, the flashy neighborhood doctor. To be played by a male-identifying actor.	male	—	Senegalese, the flashy neighborhood doctor. To be played by a male-identifying actor.
Pastor Evans Liberian, the loving neighborhood pastor. To be played by a male-identifying actor.	male	—	Liberian, the loving neighborhood pastor. To be played by a male-identifying actor.
Mama Quickly Nigerian, the fun-loving/scheming “Auntie” of the block.	—	—	Nigerian, the fun-loving/scheming “Auntie” of the block.
Shallow Nigerian, the well-intentioned uncle of Slender.	—	—	Nigerian, the well-intentioned uncle of Slender.
Fenton Ghanaian, honest and pure, also plays SIMPLE, American, errand runner and hustler. To be played by a female-identifying actor.	female	—	Ghanaian, honest and pure, also plays SIMPLE, American, errand runner and hustler. To be played by a female-identifying actor.
Pistol American, Falstaff’s minion, also plays SLENDER, Nigerian, nervous but sweet nephew to Shallow.	—	—	American, Falstaff’s minion, also plays SLENDER, Nigerian, nervous but sweet nephew to Shallow.
Ensemble including NAFI, THE HAIR BRAIDING LADY and CHIAGOZIE. The role of Chiagozie is gender flexible and may be renamed Chidiadi. All characters are Black American and/or of African descent and are to be played by Black actors.	female	—	including NAFI, THE HAIR BRAIDING LADY and CHIAGOZIE. The role of Chiagozie is gender flexible and may be renamed Chidiadi. All characters are Black American and/or of African descent and are to be played by Black actors.
Falstaff American, the neighborhood trickster.	—	—	American, the neighborhood trickster.