Jesse Tyler Ferguson News

It would certainly be an interesting experience for modern playgoers to travel back in time and see how The Merchant of Venice was first received by Shakespeare's audiences.  Those only familiar with the play's famous, 'Hath not a Jew eyes? Hath not a Jew hands, organs, dimensions, senses, affections, passions...' speech, spoken by the moneylender Shylock, might just assume the author meant it to be a drama attacking anti-Semitic tendencies of the day.

A big thank you to the folks at New Line Theatre for bringing this entry from Jason Robert Brown's blog to my attention.  It seems the Tony-winning composer/lyricist was involved in a lengthy email exchange with a young fan who didn't understand why it was wrong for her to be offering free Internet sheet music downloads of his songs.  If you've seen Sherie Rene Scott's Everyday Rapture, prepare for some déjà vu.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, began performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater began Shakespeare in the Park performances of A Winter's Tale, directed by Michael Greif on June 9. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

Continuing their pursuit of the Cam/Michael onscreen kiss, 'Modern Family' viewers have begun a 'Let Cam and Mitchell kiss on Modern Family!' Facebook campaign.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, began performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater began Shakespeare in the Park performances of A Winter's Tale, directed by Michael Greif on June 9. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

On Monday, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you a sampling of the celebrity gala attendees below!

Last night, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you coverage of gala arrivals below.

Last night, June 21, The Public Theater hosted its annual gala, this year honoring sponsors Bank of America and Bernard Gersten. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, running in repertory with THE WINTER'S TALE, gave a special performance as part of the gala event. BroadwayWorld celebrated with The Public's friends and supporters and brings you curtain call coverage of The Merchant of Venice below.

Last night, on June 13, the 2010 Tony Awards honored the best of Broadway in the 2009-2010 season. MEMPHIS was the big winner of the night in the musical category, earning honors for Best Musical, Best Book, Best Score, and Best Orchestrations. BroadwayWorld was on hand at the show's post-Tony celebration at the Empire Hotel.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE from May 21 thru June 13 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts district of downtown Santa Ana.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances for Shakespeare in the Park on Saturday, June 12. The Public Theater begins Shakespeare in the Park performances tonight, June 9, with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif (yesterday's scheduled opening was cancelled due to the rain). Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. BroadwayWorld brings you the latest batch of MERCHANT production shots below!

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

The Public Theater presents THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. The show will run June 9- August 1.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin Shakespeare in the Park performances on Wednesday, June 9 with the first preview of THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, will begin performances on Saturday, June 12. Both shows will play in repertory through Sunday, August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park.

In just a few short months, 3D Theatricals, the newest little Orange County theater company that rose quietly within the walls of Santa Ana's beautiful (but astonishingly ignored) OC Pavilion Theatre late last year is quickly becoming the county's most ambitious new regional theater, mounting some remarkable productions that are quite comparable to the more established nearby regional companies. Its latest offering is a cute, tremendously satisfying production of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE, with performances continuing weekends thru June 20. Building on the original hit 2005 Broadway production's roots in improvisation, this version is filled with the same giddy fun, but also piles on just as many newer, in-the-moment gags to make it fresh and timely. Despite a few minor gaffes, this SPELLING BEE is a really likable, lofty revival.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will continue its popular Shakespeare Salon series on Monday, May 24 at 6 p.m. Shakespeare Initiative Director Barry Edelstein will moderate a discussion on 'Making Shakespeare in the Park: Onstage and Backstage,' featuring a cross-section of cast, crew and creative team members from this summer's repertory productions of The Winter's Tale and The Merchant of Venice at Shakespeare in the Park.

One of Orange County's newest theater companies, 3D Theatricals, will present THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE from May 21 thru June 13 at the O.C. Pavilion Theatre in the Arts district of downtown Santa Ana.

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will outline ABC's plans for next season and unveil the network's 2010-11 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.

Stephen McPherson, president, ABC Entertainment Group, will outline ABC's plans for next season and unveil the network's 2010-11 fall schedule before the advertising and media communities this afternoon at Lincoln Center's Avery Fisher Hall.