Peter Francis-James News

Rob Gorden's True Stories Monday, January 31, 2011; 7:00 pm - $10

According to an article by Baz Bamigboye for UK Daily Mail, stage and screen star Patrick Stewart is set to join the Royal Shakespeare Company production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Stewart will star as Shylock in the production, which is set to be directed by Rupert Goold. Though an agreement has been made between Stewart and RSC, he has not yet signed the contract. Rehearsals will begin in late March.

Rob Gorden's True Stories Monday, January 31, 2011; 7:00 pm - $10

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

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!

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.

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.

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!

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.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel will begin performances on Tuesday, October 19 for Daniel Sullivan's critically acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44th Street). THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will play for 78 performances only through Sunday, January 9 with an official press opening on Sunday, November 7 at 6:45 p.m.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE begins performances at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44th Street) on Tuesday, October 19. Al Pacino stars as Shylock for 78 performances only. The marquee is up and BroadwayWorld brings you coverage below!

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Al Pacino's star power has earned The Merchant of Venice the winners spot for the fall's highest advance generating show. The production, which opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 7, 2010, has reportedly taken in approximately $4M, beating out all incoming fall plays and musicals.

The celebrated, award-winning actors Kathleen Chalfant, André De Shields, and George Bartenieff will be joined by Brendan Donaldson and Najla Said ('Palestine') in the U.S. premiere of Karen Malpede's new play PROPHECY, opening on June 4, 2010 at East Fourth Street Theatre (83 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan.

The award-winning actor PETER FRANCIS JAMES ('Stuff Happens') has joined the cast of PROPHECY, Karen Malpede's play which will begin previews Off-Broadway on May 29 prior to an official press opening on June 8 at the East Fourth Street Theatre (83 E. 4 St.) in Manhattan.