The Merchant of Venice is not one of Shakespeare's most well known plays, in fact few of the people sitting around me in the theater had even read it let alone seen it. But the play is a gem, portraying cultural and religious stereotypes that are still prominent in today's society. The central themes in the play are simple: tolerance/prejudice, justice, mercy, and revenge.
The play is a tragic comedy centered on the wealthy, Christian merchant Antonio. Bassanio, a friend of Antonio asks for money in order to woo Portia, a rich heiress whom he is in love with. Antonio cannot afford the sum, but asks the Jewish moneylender, Shylock, for the funds. Shylock agrees, but only under the condition that if Antonio does not repay him, Shylock will take a pound of flesh from Antonio for payment. The story plays out, culminating in a trial that decides where fault lies, questions justice and fairness, tests forgiveness and ultimately determines right and wrong in the religiously one sided city of Venice.
With multiple storylines and minor characters, The Merchant of Venice can be difficult to follow on paper, but the cast of the Shakespeare for a New Audience company seamlessly bring to life the play for a new generation. The play is acted out on a single, industrial, technology-enabled set that even incorporates Mac computers and graphic designs. Similar to the styling of “Ten Things I Hate About You” (a modernized portrayal of Shakespeare's Taming of the Shrew), the company takes the Merchant of Venice and puts the modern, relatable twist on the play. The masquerade in which Leonardo and Jessica, the daughter of Shylock, steal away with her father’s riches is turned into a wild rave featuring techno music, Bassanio’s friends: Solanio, Salarino, and Salerio, work on the stock exchange. Lancelot, the foolish man in the service of Shylock, is a pot smoking delivery-boy who tells it like it is and is hilariously portrayed by Jacob Ming-Trent. Ming-Trent stole the show each and every time he was on stage with his adaptation of the goof Lancelot, from his facial expressions and subtle nuances, to his live delivery. But the true standout performances came from the female powerhouses of Portia and Nerissa, played by Kate MacCluggage and Christen Simon Marabate (respectively). Portia and Nerissa play smart, strong, sharp witted women.
The big highlight of the play and the company was watching F. Murray Abraham (Scarface, Amadeus) play the Jewish moneylender, Shylock. Shakespeare often made Jews the evil characters in his stories, pitting them against good Christians. In this case, Shylock is the “evil” Jew, who demands flesh in lieu of payment from the good and kind Antonio. We learn about his pains of living in Christian Venice, how others spit on him, cut him down, steal his goods, treat him like an alien. He wants fairness in Venice, and famously beseeches Bassanio’s friends with the heartfelt plea;
"If you prick us do we not bleed?
If you tickle us do we not laugh?
If you poison us do we not die?
And if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?"
But as much as we can empathize with his character, we also despise him. He is a man seeking revenge from Antonio but refuses even greater sums than he was owed, viciously demanding blood and flesh. He is also despised by his daughter Jessica, who runs away to escape her father’s household and further betrays and enrages him by running away with Lorenzo and converting to Christianity. It isn’t easy to balance this on the stage, but Abraham beautifully brings the two sides together in his portrayal of Shylock. Abraham brings an art to Shakespeare’s signature character and leaves the audience wanting more.
Chicago is filled with amazing theater, and we’re lucky to have an amazing choice of Broadway productions. The Shakespeare for a New Audience company, along with Broadway in Chicago, put on an incredible performance in the Merchant of Venice that any theater lover will not want to miss. The Merchant of Venice is plays through March 27th, 2011. For tickets and more information visit www.BroadwayInChicago.com.
