Brass Tacks Ensemble presents Limited Engagement of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE

The Brass Tacks Ensemble (Artistic Director James Ingagiola and Executive Director Isaac Ellis) is excited to present the second Shakespeare production of their 2017 season, a limited engagement of The Merchant of Venice, running August 3 - 5 at the Kerrytown Concert House.

The scene shifts to Venice for our second offering of the season as Bassanio seeks to woo the rich heiress, Portia, who resides in Belmont. The problem: Bassanio has no money to get there, so he resorts to borrowing from his friend Antonio, a wealthy merchant. The problem: Antonio has no cash on hand, but he offers to be bound for the money that Bassanio borrows from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. The problem: Shylock, seeking some measure of vengeance for the mistreatment he has received in the past, lends the money under one chilling condition. And all of this is before Bassanio even gets to Belmont to woo the woman of his dreams. A close friendship, a lover's merit, and the limits of mercy and justice are tested in our summer production of The Merchant of Venice.

Directed by James Ingagiola, the cast features Brittany Batell, Mary Conley, Isaac Ellis, Ethan Gibney, Sara Long, Veronica Long, Kathleen E. Marinan, Amanda Photenhauer, Anne S. Rhoades, Russ Schwartz, Kate Topham, and Elizabeth Wagner.

2017 Troupe members also include: Amy Bogetto-Weinraub, Craig Ester, Maegan Murphy, and Aaron C. Wade.

Starting in January 2017, this troupe of actors and assistant directors have met once a week to participate in workshops on basic acting techniques, voice and movement exercises, status exercises, Shakespearean language, and the BTE theater philosophy. The ensemble's work will culminate in three productions over the course of the year--Spring, Summer, and Fall. We are hopeful that all of these actors and directors willbe full-fledged members of The Brass Tacks Ensemble by the end of the year!

The Merchant of Venice will run August 3 - 5, Thursday and Friday at 8 p.m. and Saturday at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. at the Kerrytown Concert House (415 N Fourth Ave., Ann Arbor, MI). Tickets are $15 for general admission and $5 for students (with ID). For reservations, visit http://www.kerrytownconcerthouse.com/ or call (734) 769-2999.

Since 1999, with their inaugural production of King Lear, The Brass Tacks Ensemble has been dedicated to producing shows that strip away the excess and focus on the essentials of theater: Actor. Text. Audience. The Brass Tacks Ensemble is devoted to connecting to the audience through the essential elements of theater to spark the imagination; presenting established and original works with a focus on clarity, universality, and entertainment; and providing actors, directors, designers, and writers the opportunity to develop as artists.