Wine, Beer, and Ale: Contesting for Superiority: A 17th Century One-Act Comedy

Instructors: Donald Ritzenhein with Mike Balsamo and Patrick Evans-Mach

A clever playwright in 1630 imagined how wine, beer and ale might each use the best of British wit to make their cases for which was superior to the others. Come and see how they engage in hilarious, heated and smart exchanges, including a glove-to-the-ground challenge to a duel! Along the way our presenters will share a bit about how these one-act plays were published, why they are so rare, and the various British cultures that wine, beer and ale reflected in Shakespeare-era London and the countryside.

About the Presenter: Don is a retired Macomb Community College Provost and currently adjunct professor of communication at George Washington University. He is a former English teacher and debate coach and has carefully researched the "Wine Beer and Ale" play at the Folger Shakespeare Library in D.C. and elsewhere. Don is joined by colleagues Mike Balsamo, dean and Patrick Evans-Mach, associate dean-both of the School of Business, Culinary and Information Technology at Macomb Community College.