The Justice Theatre Project presents The Merchant of Venice on Monday, April 25, 2016 at 3 am, in NC Museum of History, 5 E. Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC.
DIRECTOR : Deb Royals
FEATURING :
Shylock – Fred Corlett
Portia – Regina Brooks
Antonio – John Honeycutt
Bassani – Jeffrey Nugent
Gratiano – Michael Lester
Jessica – Emily Johns
Lorenzo – Matthew Kershaw
Nervosa – Nora Kelly
Lancelot Gobbo – Me Me Cowans-Taylor
The prince of Morocco – Moses T. Alexander Green
The prince of Aragon – Vincent Bland
Salarino – Drina Dunlap
Solanin – Verlene Oates
The Duke of Venice – Barbara di Ciero
Gobbo – Rock Kershaw
Tubal – Maria Barber
Doctor Bellario
Balthazar – Erin Folk
Stephan – Katie Barrett
Leonardo – Katie Koop
Singing Dancing Magnificoes of Venice:
Lia Fitzgerald
Ra’Chel Fowler
Celeste Hinnant
Avis Hatcher Puzzo
Terryca Taylor
Loretta Vinson
Kanel Waller
Babs Watson
Gwen Hendrix
Marcia Mattox
ABOUT THE PLAY : Antonio, the merchant in The Merchant of Venice, secures a loan from Shylock for his friend Bassanio, who seeks to court Portia. Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, recalls past insults from Antonio and, instead of asking interest on the loan, asks instead—in what he calls a “merry sport”—that if the loan is not repaid, Antonio will owe a pound of his own flesh.
Bassanio sails to Belmont, where the wealthy heiress Portia is being courted by suitors from around the world. Her father’s will requires that the successful suitor solve a riddle involving chests of gold, silver, and lead. Where others have failed, Bassanio succeeds by selecting the right chest. Portia marries Bassanio; her waiting woman, Nerissa, marries his friend Gratiano.
Shylock’s daughter, Jessica, has eloped with Bassanio’s friend Lorenzo, taking her father’s money with her. Shylock is devastated. When Antonio cannot repay the loan, Shylock demands the pound of flesh. When the news reaches Belmont, Bassanio returns to Venice. Portia and Nerissa also travel to Venice, disguised as a lawyer and his clerk. Portia uses the law to defeat Shylock and rescue Antonio.
Folger Shakespeare Library. “Henry VI Part 1.” Folger Shakespeare Library. n.d. Web. April 1, 2016.
