The Shakespeare Tavern Playhouse THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company at The New American Shakespeare Tavern presents The Merchant of Venice, May 1-24.

Tickets: $15 General Admission

A lost fortune, a lover's choice and one of the most powerful expressions of "the quality of mercy" in literature: meet Portia, Bassanio and Shylock, the Jewish moneylender and one of Shakespeare's most controversial characters of all time. A suspenseful comedy with a tragic core that has intrigued audiences for centuries. Does the expression of mercy come through in the characters' actions?

Join the cast and crew members for a lively Question and Answer session on Sunday May 10 after the show!

Bassanio, needing money to woo Portia, heiress of Belmont, asks his friend Antonio, a Venetian merchant, for 3,000 ducats. Having no money by him and with all his ships at sea, Antonio goes to a Jewish moneylender, Shylock, who hates him for his loathing of usury. Shylock proposes what he calls a "merry bond" by which, if the money is not repaid within three months, he may take a pound of Antonio's flesh; foolishly Antonio agrees.

Portia, at Belmont receives the Prince of Morocco, come to make his choice under the will of Portia's father. All suitors must choose from three caskets (gold, silver and lead) the one that contains her portrait; those who fail can never contemplate marriage again. Morocco fails with the golden casket, and the Prince of Arragon with the silver. Meanwhile, Bassanio and his friend Gratiano are on their way to Belmont; and Jessica, Shylock's daughter, in the disguise of a boy, has eloped with Lorenzo, taking rings and ducats with her.

Shylock is furious about his losses. But Bassanio, choosing the correct (leaden) casket, prepares to wed Portia; her gentlewoman Nerissa and Gratiano also plan to marry. Then Salerio, Lorenzo and Jessica bring news that Shylock is demanding his due and that Antonio's ships have "all miscarried". There must be a trial; Portia arranges to be present at the court as a young lawyer (Balthasar), Nerissa as "his" clerk. There, admitting that the bond is flawless, she begs mercy from Shylock, who refuses and rejects all offers of money. He is about to take his pound of flesh when Portia turns on him. She warns him that according to the bond, he is not entitled to "one jot of blood". Baffled, he will take his 3,000 ducats - only to be told that as an alien who has conspired against a Venetian's life, his own life is forfeit. However he is pardoned and allowed half his fortune on the pledge that he will become a Christian and bequeath the money to Lorenzo and Jessica at his death.

When he has left the court the play is practically over except for the tranquil coda (it is used often to be cut) in the moonlight at Belmont, some comedy with rings, and the tidings that Antonio's ships are safely come to port.

Purchase Tickets Online for most performances at www.shakespearetavern.com

The Atlanta Shakespeare Company (ASC) at The New American Shakespeare Tavern is supported in part by the Georgia Council for the Arts (GCA) through the appropriations of the Georgia General Assembly. GCA is a partner agency of the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that a great nation deserves great art. Major support is provided by the Fulton County Commission under the guidance of the Fulton County Arts Council. Major support also is provided by the City of Atlanta Office of Cultural Affairs. But, PRIMARILY, ASC is funded through the generous support provided by people just like you through the Shakespeare Club, the Royals and the Exceptions.