Nyambi Nyambi News

The New York Times has announced that The Public Theater is actively working on a Broadway transfer of it's production of Merchant of Venice, starring Al Pacino, now playing at the Delacorte Theater. That production is scheduled to close August 1. The Public's Executive Director Andrew Hamingston tells the Times that a transfer is dependant upon the film and television filming conflicts amongst several of the cast members, including Lily Rabe, Marianne Jean-Baptiste, and Hamish Linklater.

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 Public Theater presents THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. The show began performances on June 9 and runs through August 1. BroadwayWorld was on hand for the curtain call and opening night party for the production, which runs in repertory with THE MERCHANT OF VENICE this summer.

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.

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.

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.

CBS announced today its new 2010-2011 primetime schedule and the addition of five new series, including three dramas and two comedies, and key scheduling moves to enhance America's most watched lineup.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced complete casting today for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, running in repertory June 9-August 1 at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park. Tickets are free and distributed the day of the performance.

The Public Theater will present THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE WINTER'S TALE and BroadwayWorld has the production photos!

The Public Theater will present THE MERCHANT OF VENICE starring Al Pacino in rep with THE WINTERS TALE as part of this summer's Shakespeare in the Park series at the Delacorte Theatre. Rehearsals began today for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and BroadwayWorld has the first production photos!

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Broadway Producer Jeffrey Richards will be producing a Broadway transfer of The Public's Merchant of Venice, which will play Shakespeare in the Park at the Delacorte this summer starring Al Pacino. Richards has suffered a mostly disappointing 2010 so far, being the leading force behind this season's All About Me and Enron, both of which only lasted a mere few weeks on Broadway. Richards and his producing partner, Jerry Frankel are, however, also behind the successful Race, which has already recouped on Broadway.

Jesse Tyler Ferguson, who will be appearing in both THE MERCHANT OF VENICE and THE WINTER'S TALE at Shakespeare in the Park shows this summer at the Delacorte Theatre sat down alongside costar Lily Rabe to discuss the shows and their experiences working on them.

The Public Theater has announced additional casting for the 2010 Shakespeare in the Park summer season featuring THE WINTER'S TALE, directed by Michael Greif, and THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, directed by Daniel Sullivan, in repertory June 9-August 1.