OCU hosts “The Merry Wives of Windsor,” their version of Otto Nicolai’s 1849 operatic comedy. The play centers on the scheming Sir John Falstaff who plans to strike it rich by stealing the wives of two wealthy businessmen. The 1970s setting will be enhanced with scenic design by Robin Cole-Vest, original costumes by Alyssa Couturier-Hendon, and lighting design created by Kennedy Nichols.

Tributes to the character of Falstaff, who appears in three of Shakespeare’s plays, include operatic adaptations across three centuries. In addition to Nicolai’s version, Antonio Salieri debuted his Falstaff in 1799, Giuseppe Verdi’s Falstaff premiered in 1893, followed in 1929 by Ralph Vaughn Williams’ “Sir John in Love.”

Performances are 7:30 p.m. Feb. 16 and 17, with a 2 p.m. Feb. 18 matinee, in OCU’s Kirkpatrick Auditorium. Tickets ($15-30) are available from 405-208-5227 or okcu.edu/tickets. A free director’s talk will be held 45 minutes before curtain of each show.

An opening night dinner with student entertainment will be held at 6:15 p.m. Friday in the atrium of the Bass Music Center. Reservations ($25) may be made through the ticket office.