The Merchant of Venice
by William Shakespeare
directed by Joe Dowling
directed by Joe Dowling
To help his friend win the heart of a wealthy heiress, a Venetian merchant borrows money from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. Amid the blossoming love, romance and comic pursuits of the heart, Shylock's loan goes unpaid. The merchant must suffer the consequences of defaulting on the loan - and therefore pay the penalty: a pound of his own flesh.
Arguably one of William Shakespeare's most controversial plays, The Merchant of Venice introduces characters rich in complexity, humor and, most of all, flaws. On the surface or deep below, human imperfection glares brightly as we learn "all that glisters is not gold."
Run time
3 hours with intermissionResources
Play Guide created by the Guthrie Theater
Cast page and bios from The Merchant of Venice program
Program created for the 8th Annual Shakespeare Classic
Visit the Folger Shakespeare Library's Shakespeare in American Life website to hear excerpts from a radio documentary, including an interview with Joe Dowling.
Cast
| Lorenzo |
Matthew Amendt |
| Balthazar |
Raye Birk |
| Solanio/Salerio |
Michael Booth |
| Shylock |
Robert Dorfman |
| Salarino |
Wayne A. Evenson |
| Serving Woman |
Susan Hofflander |
| Antonio |
Richard S. Iglewski |
| Launcelot Gobbo |
Jim Lichtscheidl |
| Bassanio |
Ron Menzel |
| Leonardo |
Kris L. Nelson |
| Gratiano |
Lee Mark Nelson |
| Portia |
Michelle O'Neill |
| Prince of Arragon/Duke of Venice |
Stephen Pelinski |
| Old Gobbo/Tubal |
Mark Rosenwinkel |
| Prince of Morocco |
William Sturdivant |
| Jessica |
Christine Weber |
| Nerissa |
Sally Wingert |
production photos by Michal Daniel
818 South 2nd Street •
Minneapolis, MN 55415 •
Box Office: 612.377.2224
