Lily Rabe News

The cast of Broadway's MERCHANT OF VENICE has swept the Actors' Equity Awards for classical theatre, which were announced earlier today.

While there's certainly plenty to enjoy in the new musical version of Pedro Almodóvar's 1988 film, Women On The Verge Of A Nervous Breakdown - David Yazbek's jaunty Latin-based score, the winning performances of a star-studded cast (three Tony winners and four other nominees) and the kinetic flashiness of Bartlett Sher's kicky production - the show is also a prime example of how the sum of the pieces can add up to more than the whole when the missing ingredient is a strong book.  Not that the talented Jeffrey Lane doesn't make a game try at it.  Sticking closely to the source, his work is frequently clever and he and Yazbek concoct some quirkily fun musical scenes, but the odds are working against him in this one.

According to an article by Baz Bamigboye for UK Daily Mail, Al Pacinoin currently in talks to bring the Public ­Theater's The ­Merchant Of Venice to the West End.

The New York Times is reporting that talks are underway to potentially extend the run of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE past its originally scheduled January 9 closing date if a deal can be worked out with the show's stars - Al Pacino and Lily Rabe. No specific information is available as to how long of an extension may be possible.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is one of Shakespeare's most thrilling and controversial plays, rich with love and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. The Jewish moneylender Shylock makes a loan to Antonio, a Christian merchant. Their loan contract, steeped in prejudice and centered on the play's infamous 'pound of flesh,' sweeps the two men and everyone in their worlds into chaos. Only the insightful Portia can imagine a way forward, but for her and those she loves, even 'the quality of mercy' has its limits. Al Pacino (Shylock), Lily Rabe (Portia), Byron Jennings (Antonio), Jesse L. Martin (Gratiano), Gerry Bamman (Duke of Venice), Heather Lind (Jessica), Matthew Rauch (Solanio), and Richard Topol (Tubal) reprise their roles in this acclaimed production. New cast members who have joined the Broadway company include Marsha Stephanie Blake (Nerissa), Christopher Fitzgerald (Launcelot Gobbo), David Harbour (Bassanio), Peter Francis James (Salerio), Isaiah Johnson (Prince of Morocco), Charles Kimbrough (Prince of Arragon), and Seth Numrich (Lorenzo).

The Public Theater holds the press opening for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Saturday, November 13. So as not to conflict with the Broadway opening of Elf on Sunday, November 14, the producers respectfully request that Merchant reviews be embargoed until Tuesday, November 16.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel announced today that the new press opening for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will be Saturday, November 13. So as not to conflict with the Broadway opening of Elf on Sunday, November 14, the producers respectfully request that Merchant reviews be embargoed until Tuesday, November 16.

The Public Theater, with Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia at the Broadhurst Theatre this fall. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will play 78 performances only through Sunday, January 9. See below for a look at MERCHANT on stage!

The Broadway community mourns the loss of Jill Clayburgh, who passed away November 5th at age 66. The marquees of Broadway theatres in New York will be dimmed in her memory tonight, November 9, at exactly 7:00 p.m. for one minute.

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress sadly Jill Clayburgh passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the after party and brings you photo coverage below.

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress Jill Clayburgh sadly passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night. Below, BroadwayWorld brings you photo coverage of the evening's starry performance arrivals.

It was an emotional evening last night as THE MERCHANT OF VENICE celebrated its official opening night on Broadway. On Friday, the show announced that it would push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress sadly Jill Clayburgh passed away at 66 on November 5. Rabe returned to the show on Saturday night.

BroadwayWorld has learned that Lily Rabe returned to THE MERCHANT OF VENICE last night, and will appear tonight for the show's opening night performance. The show had to push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe whose mother, actress Jill Clayburgh passed away at 66 on November 5.

Star of the stage and screen, Jill Clayburgh passed away yesterday, November 5, at the age of 66. Clayburgh lost a 21 year battle with chronic leukemia. Clayburgh is survived by her husband, playwright David Rabe, and her daughter, Lily Rabe, who is currently starring in the Broadway production of 'The Merchant of Venice.'

Star of the stage and screen, Jill Clayburgh passed away today, November 5, at the age of 66. Clayburgh lost a 21 year battle with chronic leukemia. Clayburgh is survived by her husband, playwright David Rabe, and her daughter, Lily Rabe, who is currently starring in the Broadway production of 'The Merchant of Venice.'

Beginning Saturday, November 6, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air The Rivalry by Norman Corwin, starring Paul Giamatti, David Straithairn, James Gleason, Shannon Cochran and Lily Rabe. The broadcast can be heard locally in Southern California on Saturday from 10 pm to midnight on 89.3 KPCC, and can also be streamed on demand at http://www.latw.org/.

BroadwayWorld has learned that THE MERCHANT OF VENICE has had to push back it's official press opening to accommodate its star, Lily Rabe, who must miss the next several performances for family reasons. Opening night had been set for this Sunday, November 7. A rep for the production states that they are now aiming for a November 15 opening night instead and will be confirming sometime next week.

The Public Theater, with Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia at the Broadhurst Theatre this fall. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will play 78 performances only through Sunday, January 9, with an official press opening on Sunday, November 7. See below for a first look at the show's official photo gallery!

Beginning Saturday, November 6, L.A. Theatre Works' Radio Theatre Series will air The Rivalry by Norman Corwin, starring Paul Giamatti, David Straithairn, James Gleason, Shannon Cochran and Lily Rabe. The broadcast can be heard locally in Southern California on Saturday from 10 pm to midnight on 89.3 KPCC, and can also be streamed on demand at http://www.latw.org/.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel announced today that THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will offer a lottery beginning Tuesday, October 19 for a limited number of $31.50 mezzanine tickets for Daniel Sullivan's acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, starring Al Pacino as Shylock and Lily Rabe as Portia.