Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Shakespeare Dallas and UNT begin The Merchant of Venice this week

By Shawn Parikh

Shakespeare Dallas is doing something new with this year's fall production of The Merchant of Venice. For the past few years, they have presented a special outdoor fall show in Dallas at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre and in Addison at Addison Circle Park. This year, they are expanding it and collaborating with UNT to perform in Denton inside the University Theatre.

Greed and prejudice tell the story of The Merchant of Venice, Shakespeare's suspenseful, dark comedy. In Venice, Bassanio asks the merchant Antonio for a loan which Antonio must borrow from the moneylender Shylock. While Bassanio is facing certain death, he must rely on his friends to save him from Shylock's revengeful demand of "a pound of flesh."

Photo by Chris Devany

Launcelot Gobbo and Shylock

“Shakespeare Dallas is excited to collaborate with UNT this fall,” said Shakespeare Dallas Executive & Artistic Director Raphael Parry. “The Merchant of Venice will combine professional artists with students to explore this dynamic and challenging work.”

“I am particularly enthusiastic about partnering with UNT on this production,” said Director René Moreno, “My first professional job as an actor was in a production of The Merchant of Venice when I was in college. I am excited to give the next generation of actors a similar experience. Being a part of that show set my working attitude and really introduced me to the world of professional theatre.”

The show will run from October 1 – 5 & 8 – 11 at the Samuell-Grand Amphitheatre, October 15 – 19 at Addison Circle Park, and October 24 – 26 at The University of North Texas. Admission for Samuell-Grand performances is $7-10 on Fridays and Saturdays, and donation request on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays & Sundays. Children 12 and under are free. At Addison Circle, tickets are all $7-10 with free admission for children under 12. At UNT, tickets are $7.50-10.

Raphael Parry as Shylock

To purchase advanced tickets for the outdoor shows, you can order online, but to reserve for UNT, call the box office at 940-565-2428.

Some free bonus pre-show events include The Green Show, which features puppets, song, dance, and excerpts from The Merchant of Venice done in a non-traditional manner. It will be performed at 7:30 p.m. on October 4, 11, 17, 18, and 19. Also, StageNotes: The Merchant of Venice takes an in-depth look at the historical significance of Shakespeare’s text, and gain insight to the overall concept of that evening’s performance. The series takes place at 7:30 p.m. on October 10 and 16.

Source: Shakespeare Dallas

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