"The Merchant of Venice"

"The Merchant of Venice": Historic Production From Baltimore Shakespeare Factory

Fitting Baltimore Shakespeare Factory's philosophy of recreating the staging conditions of Shakespeare's day, this historic production of "The Merchant of Venice" will be performed in Original Pronunciation (OP). It's the first time "Merchant" will be staged in OP since the 1590s, plus St. Mary's Community Center hosts the first OP production ever in the Baltimore-Washington area. "The Merchant of Venice" features one of Shakespeare's most tragic and controversial figures, the vengeance-seeking moneylender Shylock. And the clever and well-spoken Portia -- whose intelligence shines every bit as brightly as her beauty -- is also among his most fully developed and complex heroines. This classic tale showcases the tenacity of young love and calls into question the prejudices and beliefs of Renaissance-era Venice, offering ethical and philosophical musings that resonate with audiences to this day.