Readers Rep Theatre, Portland: The Trial of Shylock

SHAKESPERE’S MOST CONTROVERSIAL STORY AS A DARK ONE-ACT PLAY

WHO: Readers Theatre Repertory
WHAT: THE TRIAL OF SHYLOCK
WHEN: November 15-16, 2008 8PM
WHERE: Blackfish Gallery, 420 NW 9th Av., Portland 97209
HOW MUCH: $8.00
RESERVATIONS: 503.295.4997; info@readerstheatrerep.org

Readers Theatre Repertory distills Shakespeare’s polemical play The Merchant of Venice to its darkest essence on November 15-16, with THE TRIAL OF SHYLOCK. RTR’s one-act offering is Act IV, Scene 1 of
William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.

Director David Berkson says “The trial scene in The Merchant of Venice is the mother of all courtroom dramas. Inherit the Wind, Witness for the Prosecution and even Perry Mason owe a huge debt to the way that Shakespeare works at our sympathies, builds the suspense, and finally pulls out the rug with a surprise ending. This is a politically wrenching and provocative piece, but it’s also incredibly exciting theatre.”

Explosive and tragically contemporary, the trial scene in The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s most famous… and infamous. Audiences are still shocked as Shakespeare destroys the medieval, anti-Semitic stereotype of the Jewish moneylender in Shylock: neither hero nor villain, but a target of bigotry and hatred. When pushed too far by his Christian persecutors, he turns to the law to seek justice — only to find himself the victim of a cruel and ironic reversal of fortune.

Berkson, a Shakespeare scholar, Director of Education for RTR and former Director of Education for Marin Shakespeare Company, hopes that after the play is over, the audience will linger to discuss and  debate the story… as they have done since Shakespeare’s time.

Sam Mowry plays Shylock, with Jill Westerby as Portia. Rounding out the stellar cast: David Bodin, Jane Clark, Andy Hillstrom, Garland Lyons, Lucy Walker, Molly Walker and Jonah Weston.

For information and ticket reservations: 503.295.4997 or
info@readerstheatrerep.org.