Shakespeare in the Pines Will Return with ‘Merry Wives of Winslow’

by Tom Agostino, Marketing and Communications Coordinator, Highlands Center for Natural History
Shakespeare in the Pines will return to the Highlands Center for Natural History this summer as the Bard’s tale of Falstaff in love moseys over to the Old West in The Merry Wives of Winslow, a riotous whistle-stop on the Atchison, Topeka & Santa Fe.
The boisterous Sir John Falstaff comes to the small town of Winslow, bringing a taste for beef, beer and other men’s wives. Clever Mistress Ford and wily Mistress Page instantly see through his amorous ploys and use them to set him up and take him for a ride.
Disguises, duels and laughter win the day as Laark Productions brings the world of Falstaff, his friends and foes to the world of the Arizona Territory in 1888. Laark Productions’ inventive and immersive staging has proven to be a major draw for its productions.
The picturesque, natural setting of ponderosa pines is the site for this adaptation of Shakespeare’s Merry Wives of Windsor. June 19-20 and June 26-27, for the seventh summer, Shakespeare in the Pines will entertain and educate audiences in the Highlands Center’s outdoor amphitheater.
The evening begins with an opening reception, catered by El Gato Azul, with brews, wine, coffee and desserts from Petite Treats. Laark Productions invite the audience to become part of the play as the cast begins the performance among the guests at the reception.
Proceeds will go to support the center’s nature-based programs for children. For member and group discounts, call 928-776-9550. Presented by Lamb Cadillac. For tickets: www.highlandscenter.org.
Don’t forget about the James Family Discovery Gardens 
How about a walk in the woods in the Highlands Center’s accessible Discovery Gardens? Stroll along the creek on a paved path through Learning Circles illustrating the natural history of the Central Highlands of Arizona. Bring the kids and play on the boulders, sandbox and web in a natural forest play area. Listen to birds and the sounds of the forest in the Secret Nook or relax in the shade by the Gathering Circle. Through interpretive signs and displays you can discover how to choose and grow drought-tolerant plants for your garden and habitats and harvest water to sustain them.
Need a place for an outdoor event in a quiet, pristine forest setting? Rent the Ramada or the entire garden for your wedding or special gathering.
Naturalists will be in the gardens Saturday mornings to facilitate Discovery Stations on topics such as animals, plants, geology and the cycles in nature. Please check our website for dates for guided naturalist walks and special events.
The James Family Discovery Gardens are open Tuesday-Sunday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m., and are free to the public. For more information visit www.highlandscenter.org or call 928-776-9550.
As documented in the medical literature, immersion in nature can boost human immune systems and provide many other health benefits. We encourage families to continue to get outside and connect with the natural world as it may even be helpful for you. 
The Highlands Center for Natural History
Formed in 1996, the Highlands Center for Natural History is a nonprofit organization developed to foster an appreciation for and knowledge of the natural wonders of the Central Highlands of Arizona. The Highlands Center is a regional hub for lifelong learning, designed to invite discovery of the wonders of nature through on and offsite programs and includes an inviting venue for community events.