About the Show

A powerful adaptation of Shakespeare's play, blending urgency, humanity, and modern relevance.

The Merchant of Venice, renowned for Shylock's extreme cruelty, gets a captivating adaptation by Ukrainian-born Jewish director Igor Golyak. This version, starring Richard Topol as Shylock and a talented ensemble cast, offers a thrilling experience that takes a dramatic and tragic turn, leaving the audience both shocked and moved by its unavoidable consequences. It brings Shakespeare's themes to life with urgency, humanity, and contemporary relevance.

Critic Reviews (7)

"gimmicks make it impossible to follow the play as well as figure out the interpretation"
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"...a missed opportunity to see the superb Arlekin actors play these plum roles straight"
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"a Jewish reclamation of Shakespeare's problem play"
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"all this misbegotten Merchant reveals is a contemporary obsession"
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With its unremitting whimsy, the quality of mercy is strained nearly to the breaking point
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"There’s a sense of play here that’s often charming but can just as frequently miss the mark"
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Too many concepts complicated my ability to derive meaning.
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Trailer

Creative team

Classic Stage Company