The Merchant of Venice
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Summary
If ever there was a time to see "The Merchant of Venice" this is it! The magnificent production, headed by Al Pacino as Shylock, which transferred to the Broadhurst from this summer’s Shakespeare-in-the-Park has grown richer and more vivid since it debuted in August. Pacino is a revelation and the rest of the cast allows Shakespeare’s dialogue to zing forth with the ease of a personal conversation.
The play, often decried for its anti-Semitic tone, is here carefully balanced by director Daniel Sullivan’s meticulous attention to the prejudice of the era. Shylock’s demand for a pound of flesh for an unpaid debt is seen as the culmination of the anger of a lifetime of being tormented for his identity. Pacino has found his way into Shylock’s heart crafting a fully-rounded human being equally arrogant as humbled.
The story is a timely one for the recent glut of mortgage defaults. Bassanio has questionable credit but is aided by his pal Antonio to borrow funds from Shylock, in order to woo his love, Portia. Antonio has no fear of the deal made to obtain the funds since he has no intention of defaulting on the loan. Once it comes to pass, the legal and moral arguments put forth are rich with the ethical quandary of the court. To counterbalance the drama of the deal, there’s much in the way of comedy including buffoonish suitors for Lilly’s hand while she waits for Bassanio, and in true Shakespearian fashion a wisecracking servant named Gobbo.
Clearly the star power of Pacino will draw audiences, but this Merchant is an ensemble piece. There’s the luminescent performance from Lilly Rabe as Portia, Byron Jennings’s heartfelt Antonio, David Harbour’s sensitive love-struck Bassanio, and Christopher Fitzgerald’ goofy Gobbo.
Sullivan has chosen wisely for this transition from the wide expanses of the Delacorte. The smaller Broadhurst proscenium plays host to Mark Wendland’s wrought iron set, lit with care and intelligence by Kenneth Posner, giving each movement the import it deserves. Jess Goldstein’s costumes also strike a balance here with simple black coats against the intricate brocade of a Prince seeking Portia’s hand.
"The Merchant of Venice" is a thunderous success - a riveting and powerful production sure to become the stuff of Broadway legend.
By Lesley Alexander
Visit the Site
http://www.merchantonbroadway.com/
Cast
Al Pacino, Lily Rabe, David Harbour, Byron Jennings, Jesse L. Martin, Gerry Bamman, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Christopher Fitzgerald, Charles Kimbrough, Heather Lind, Seth Numrich, Peter Francis James, Matthew Rauch, Richard Topol, Happy Anderson, Liza Bennett, Glen Fleshler, Luke Forbes, Herb Foster, Bryce Gill, Tom Hammond, Jade Hawk, Bethany Heinrich, Curt Hosetter, Tia James, Isaiah Johnson, Kelsey Kurz, Kim Martin-Cotton, Dorien Makhloghi, Brian Mcdonald, Baylen Thomas
Open/Close Dates
Opening 10/19/2010
Closing 2/20/2011
Box Office
212-239-6200
Theatre Info
Broadhurst Theatre
235 West 44th Street
New York, NY 10036
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