Art Serving Community

2010: The Merchant of Venice

directed by Heather Parish

Examining the nature of tolerance and ostracism, Shakespeare also plays with the nature of comedy and drama in this notorious -- and fearless-- issues play.

Director Heather Parish is the Artistic Director of the Woodward Shakespeare Festival and directed last season's Richard III.

Runs Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays
June 24th-July 24th, 2010.
8 p.m.

Let us know what you thought of The Merchant of Venice:

My family and I have been coming to see the shows since they first started and I have loved every one of them. I think it's awesome and beautiful how dedicated the cast is and how much they seem to be enjoying themselves. There is always a lot of energy and enthusiasm.
I will continue to come and enjoy the plays. This is such a wonderful thing and it would be heartbreaking to see it disappear.
Thank you to all who are a part of it!
Sincerely,
Emilie

(Posted on 2010-07-08 23:35:00 by Emilie)
Overall, a very good production. However, the sound system was very erratic = distracting and annoying. Dialogue faded in and out, footsteps on stage were amplified, and did I hear wind from the mikes also? Sound design and/or execution has been an on-going problem for WSF.
The cast enunciated well, a big improvement over Richard III last year when several actors did badly in that area.
A suggestion: kill the lousy and too loud music during the intermission! Let the audience enjoy the sound of nature and conversation.
Pluses: the new location seems promising; it was nice to see a good crowd on a holiday weekend (we went Sat. 7/3); and thank you for reading the declaration of independence prior to the performance.
Looking forward to King Lear - with improved sound?

(Posted on 2010-07-04 19:45:00 by B. Richardson)
After seeing the show for the second time last night, it was clear Munro failed to mention a few of the players in his review. Jaguar Bennet brought a most effective vulnerability and woundedness to his Shylock, which made it impossible to cheer his personal loss and economic demise in the end. Kristin Lyn Crase, as Stefanie, was charming with a lyrical kind of energy , and Guinevere Thelin was very funny and original in her portrayal of Launcelot.
Congratulaions to the entire cast of MOV. Great show;-)

(Posted on 2010-07-04 16:58:00 by Valerie Evangelho)
I loved The Merchant of Venice! My family did too. We came every year and make an evening of it. We always invite friends to come along. Can't wait for King Lear. The cast does a wonderful Job!.

(Posted on 2010-07-04 06:46:00 by Lora Myers)