The Merchant of Venice by BoHo Theatre July 25

 

 
Adapted and Directed by Peter Robel
 
At BoHo, we strive to secede from conventionality in life and art.  In our previous productions of the 2007-2008 Season (M. Butterfly, Songs for a New World, and Jekyll & Hyde), we have gone beyond the accepted norms to bring you truly unique theatre that explores the duality of human kind and the world we live in. This trend continues with our final production of the season, The Merchant of Venice, brought to life by a remarkable new adaptation and a talented creative and production team.
 
This production of The Merchant of Venice is adapted and directed by BoHo's own Peter Robel, who has focused on the "fear of other" common to many productions, viewed from a uniquely BoHo perspective. Extending BoHo's season themes, the duality is exemplified in casting only nine actors, and doubling specific combinations of roles, providing them the opportunity to explore two (or more) perspectives on an issue or relationship. This adaptation uses Shakespeare's text to bring out the ensemble as a "living soundscape," illuminating how attitudes are formed as well as how choices can be influenced. Our hope is that audiences can draw parallels to their own relationships, lives, loves and hates; therefore feeling compelled to discuss how the varieties of experience shape us and propel us towards conflict or compassion.
 
Our approach to The Merchant of Venice needed the context in which to breathe and is utilizing some of Chicago's best to do it. Inspired by the many studies of Venice painted by John Singer Sargent, we have set this production in the early 1900's, creating the worlds of Venice and Belmont as evoked by Sargent's experience. To do so, we will incorporate photography and projection design to bring Venice and Belmont to life (design provided by Laura Thoma and R. Bradley Criswell), with the sound design by the accomplished Derek Dudek, and scenic design by BoHo Artistic Director, Stephen M. Genovese.
 
To bring this story to life, BoHo has found some of Chicago's newest and many accomplished Shakespearean actors, each one making their debut with us. An accomplished Chicago actor, Fred A. Wellisch (Shylock) has worked every major stage in Chicago, recently appearing in Lyric Opera's Die Fledermaus. Christina Hall (Portia), whose Chicago credits include Aladdin with Emerald City Theatre Company, and Lifeline Theatre's Kid's Series, also has a long production history with Hope Summer Repertory. Ryan Swinkle (Bassonio/Jailer) is an accomplished Shakespearean actor, having appeared with Illinois Shakespeare Festival and Montana Shakespeare in the Parks, and has recently played the title role in Macbeth. David Roche (Gratiano/Aragon) also has many Shakespeare credits, having studied at Boston University and Oxford University, and has worked in many productions with The Stratford Festival in Canada and First Folio Shakespeare's Richard III. Eric Damon Smith (Antonio/Tubal) has worked with Center Rep and New Theatre Repertory in San Francisco, has completed an acting internship with Milwaukee Rep, recently joining Chicago theatre in Aladdin with Emerald City and 1776 with Signal Ensemble. Stacie Folgers (Jessica/Solario) is making her Chicago stage debut!  Her previous Shakespeare credits include Hermia in A Midsummer Night's Dream, and two productions of Much Ado About Nothing. The cast also features Justine Serino (Nerissa), seen previously as Ethel Rosenberg in The Brother with Hancock Productions, and has worked with many Chicago theatres including WalkAbout, Livewire, Stage Left, Circle, Artistic Home, to name a few; Charles Riffenburg (Lancelet/Lorenzo), who is an ensemble member and the Marketing Director for the Keyhole Theatre Company, and artistic associate with Hubris Productions; and Adam Kander (Solanio/Balthasar/Morroco/Duke), whose credits include the London Fringe Festival in Ontario.
 
A talented cast, a honest adaptation, and inventive design in our jewel-like Rogers Park space will make BoHo's The Merchant of Venice appealing to those true lovers of Shakespeare -- but it will also provide understanding and thought to even the most contemporary-minded audiences!
 
 
AT A GLANCE:
Who:  Bohemian Theatre Ensemble
What: The Merchant of Venice
Where: BoHo Theatre @ Heartland Studio, 7016 N. Glenwood
When: Opening Friday, July 25, 2008 at 8:00 (press opening July 26)
Running:  Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays at 8:00
Sundays at 2:00
Closing:    Sunday, August 24, 2008
Tickets: Call the BoHo box office at 773.791.2393 or on the web at http://www.bohotheatre.com/
Cost:  $20

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