Shakespeare Santa Monica performs, 'The Merchant of Venice' outside, staged on the balconies of the Marion Davies Guest House on Thursday, July 22, 2010.
In Venice, the world center both of commerce and intrigue, the young Bassanio is in love with the beautiful heiress Portia. In order to woo her, he appeals to his friend Antonio for a loan. With his money tied up in trade across the oceans, Antonio enters into a bond with the moneylender Shylock to help his young friend, and agrees to pay or forfeit the famous "pound of flesh". Drawn together by this bond, the two become embroiled in a battle for money, flesh, faith, and honor. Played sympathetically by some of the greatest actors of the day from the Victorian era onward, Shylock continues to be one of Shakespeare's most remembered and misunderstood characters in the canon, despite only appearing in five scenes. Though still controversial, the play's complex sentiments are leavened by tremendous and thought-provoking soliloquies concerning, love, tolerance, equality and mercy. With its dramatic speeches, cross-dressing, comic asides, fairy-tale choices, and last-minute reprieves, The Merchant of Venice is one of Shakespeare’s lasting theatrical triumphs. This production stars Southern California stage favorite Apollo Dukakis as Shylock and Emmy-Award winning actress Jennifer Landon as Portia. Directed by Shakespeare Santa Monica Artistic Director John Farmanesh-Bocca. The Merchant Of Venice is a Shakespeare Santa Monica production.