The Merchant of Venice at Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater
Dates: 5/8/2019 - 5/26/2019
2206 William Barton Dr
austin, TX 78704
Tickets: Free
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Austin Shakespeare will bring the romance, comedy and dramatic clashes of The Merchant of Venice to the Beverly S. Sheffield Zilker Hillside Theater in May. Produced in collaboration with the City of Austin Parks and Recreation Department for the 35th year, Shakespeares famous play will be performed under the stars from May 9 to May 26 on Thursdays to Sundays at 8 p.m., with a preview performance on Wednesday, May 8. Austin Shakespeares interpretation of The Merchant of Venice will be set in the Belle poque of 1890s Italy, which was characterized by fashionable women and flashy gentlemen. Venice was the center of multi-cultural trade and lively romance, said Austin Shakespeare Artistic Director Ann Ciccolella on the choice of setting. The late 19th Century is a time of change from old aristocracy struggling with a powerful merchant class. Plus its simply a gorgeous time for our costumes.At the center of the play is the dramatic courtroom conflict between Shylock, played by Marc Pouh as a Black Jew in an unusual twist, and Portia, disguised as a male lawyer, battling over a pound of flesh. Surprisingly, Shakespeare himself called the play a romantic comedy with its plots of love and mystery, Ciccolella said. We often forget that there are three romantic couples by the end of Merchant. The play will climax with a light-hearted waltzing masquerade.
Authors
Tony Awards and Nominations for The Merchant of Venice
| Year | Category | |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 | Best Revival | |
| 2011 | Best Revival of a Play |
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