The Merchant of Venice

This is no episode of Let’s Make a Deal. 

Julia Coffey as Portia
Photo by Scott Suchman
The Merchant of Venice, currently on stage at the Shakespeare Theatre’s Sidney Harmon Hall, is, however, a passionate production of money matters.  From the poor Bassanio who needs funding to court his love; to that same love, Portia, who’s deceased Father devised a test of temptation to prove a suiter’s hand in marriage; to the lender Shylok who seeks violent revenge for a defaulted loan; to that lender’s daughter, Jessica, who steals his fortune to create a new fortune of her own – coin is the root cause of the drama.
Julia Coffey as “Portia” and
Mark Nelson as Shylock
Photo by Scott Suchman
One of Shakespeare’s popular tragic comedies, The Merchant of Venice is the final play of the 2010-2011 season for the company, staged here for the first time in over a decade, which will run until July 24th. 
Director Ethan McSweeney’s version, set in more modern times, challenges audiences to contemplate power, revenge, justice and mercy… as well as Shylock’s thickly authentic accent!

The drama is in the denouement as these deals are done.