Jeremy Dubin directs William Shakespeare’s controversial
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, opening on May 11, 2012
Brian Isaac Phillips as Shylock, Kelly Mengelkoch as Portia & Jared Joplin as Antonio. Photo by Jeanna Vella.
CINCINNATI, April 19, 2012 – Cincinnati Shakespeare Company concludes its fantastic and popular eighteenth season with William Shakespeare’s THE MERCHANT OF VENICE opening May 11. This production features CSC Producing Artistic Director Brian Isaac Phillips as Shylock, CSC Ensemble Member Kelly Mengelkoch as Portia and introducing to Cincinnati audiences, Jared Joplin as Antonio, the Merchant of Venice. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE opens on May 11 and runs through June 3 2012. The production design is generously sponsored by Taft, Stettinius and Hollister.
In one of the Bard’s most controversial and thrilling plays, Antonio (Jared Joplin) covers a debt for his friend Bassanio (Billy Chace) who will use the money to woo the delightful Portia (Kelly Mengelkoch). The loan is secured from the complicated and persecuted Shylock (Brian Isaac Phillips), who has much reason to resent Antonio. Shylock agrees to lend the money at no interest save a “pound of your fair flesh…” When it seems that Shylock’s debt will go unpaid, Antonio must face a terrible fate. The matter is brought to the courts of Venice in Shakespeare’s original courtroom battle, where Portia disguises herself to save the best friend of the man she loves. THE MERCHANT OF VENICE comes to life across lines of religion, race and wrongdoing.
CSC Artistic Associate Jeremy Dubin returns to the director’s chair at Cincinnati Shakespeare Company following his previous celebrated productions of “An Ideal Husband”, “Twelfth Night” and “Engaged!”. Mr. Dubin says of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE that “the play continues to fascinate, to incite controversy, to spark heated, even vitriolic debate. This play has been twisted, squeezed man-handled and molded to fit every conceivable political agenda and cultural sensibility. It was used by Nazis as anti-Jewish propaganda, it was used by Zionists to support the creation of a Jewish homeland. Shylock has been a comedic villain, a surrealist nightmare, a hapless victim and a tragic hero. In attempts to solve the play’s “problems”, it has been subject to productions where, according to Arden’s editor, John Drakakis, ‘the novelty of the staging assumed a greater importance than the play itself.’ We will not do that. Let’s instead honor and admire the head-scratching, brow-furrowing complexity obdurateness of it. Let us acknowledge and appreciate a play that makes us uncomfortable because it has no easy solution. For this is, I have come to realize, what I love about the play.”
Brian Isaac Phillips, CSC’s Producing Artistic Director, will be featured as Shylock. He has most recently been seen on the stage in Cincinnati in “Collapse” at Know Theatre, “Dead Man’s Cell Phone” and “The Seafarer” at Ensemble Theatre and “The Goat or Who is Silvia?” at New Stage Collective. At home at CSC, Mr. Phillips has been seen as Hamlet in “Hamlet”, Hal in “Henry IV”, Bottom in “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and Stanley in “A Streetcar Named Desire”. Portia is played by eighth year ensemble member, Kelly Mengelkoch. This season, Kelly has been featured as Queen Katherine in “Henry VIII: All is True”, Elinor in “Sense & Sensibility” and as the Princess of France in “Love’s Labour’s Lost”. She was featured last season in “Blithe Spirit” as Elvira and in “Pride & Prejudice” as Jane Bennett. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is proud to introduce Jared Joplin to Cincinnati Shakespeare audiences. Some of his most memorable roles include “Player #2” in “Shipwrecked…” (along side his father Joneal Joplin and his sister Jennifer Joplin), Young Scrooge/Ghost of Christmas Future in “A Christmas Carol” (Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park, directed by Michael Haney) and Donalbain in “Macbeth” (directed by Rick Sordelet). Mr. Joplin recently spent the start of the decade in Public Services for Cirque du Soleil’s North American tour of “Kooza”.
Performances of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE are scheduled from May 11- June 3, 2012 on Thursday, Friday & Saturday evenings at 7:30pm and Sundays at 2pm. Preview performances are on May 9 & 10, and tickets are only $14. No performance on Sunday May 13, 2012. The theater is located at 719 Race Street, downtown Cincinnati, two blocks west of the Aronoff Center. Single ticket prices range from $22-$28 on Thursday Nights and Sunday Matinees and from $26-$32 on Friday and Saturday Nights. Ticketing fees may apply. Visa, Discover, MasterCard, and American Express are accepted. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups as well as Enjoy the Arts and AAA members. To purchase tickets or for more information, call the CSC Box Office at 513.381.BARD (2273) ext. 1, or go online at www.cincyshakes.com.
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About Season 18:
Season 18 is generously sponsored by The Otto M. Budig Family Foundation. Cincinnati Shakespeare Company receives operating support from The Ohio Arts Council and is supported, in part, by the generosity of thousands of individuals and businesses that give annually to ArtsWave, formerly the Fine Arts Fund. The season design sponsor is Judge Mark Painter. Creative Services are provided by Possible Worldwide. Season 19 has been announced. All of the dates and info are available online at http://www.cincyshakes.com/season-19.html
About Cincinnati Shakespeare Company:
Cincinnati Shakespeare Company is a professional theatre company dedicated to bringing Shakespeare and the classics to life for audiences of all ages. Located in the heart of downtown Cincinnati, CSC produces eight main stage productions each season at its home on Race Street. CSC employs a resident company of actors and artists who live and work in Cincinnati year-round, and performs on a Small Professional Theatre contract with Actors’ Equity Association. CSC is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit organization and all donations are tax deductible.
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE Performance Schedule
5/9/12 7:30 PM (Preview)
5/10/12 7:30 PM (Preview)
5/11/12 7:30 PM (Opening)
5/12/12 7:30 PM
5/17/12 7:30 PM
5/18/12 7:30 PM
5/19/12 7:30 PM
5/20/12 2:00 PM
5/24/12 7:30 PM
5/25/12 7:30 PM
5/26/12 7:30 PM
5/27/12 2:00 PM
5/31/12 7:30 PM
6/1/12 7:30 PM
6/2/12 7:30 PM
6/3/12 2:00 PM
Cast
Benjamin, Darnell Pierre Lorenzo/ Prince of Morocco
Bond, Ian Salerio (& Salarino)/Prince of Aragon
Chace, Billy Bassanio
Clark, Sara* Jessica
Davenport, Cary Launcelot Gobo/ Tubal
Hopkins, Jim* Salanio/ Duke
Joplin, Jared* Antonio
McGee, Miranda Nerissa
Mengelkoch, Kelly* Portia
Phillips, Brian Isaac* Shylock
Rader, Maggie Lou Portia’s Attendant, Rialto Wench
Rose, Nick* Gratiano
Production Details
William Shakespeare’s THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Directed by Jeremy Dubin
Stage Manager: Justin McCombs*
Costume Design: Heidi Jo Schiemer
Lighting & Scenic Design: Andrew Hungerford
Sound Design: Doug Borntrager
Tickets & More Information
Thursday & Sunday: Adults: $28, Seniors: $24, Student: $22 Friday & Saturday: Adults: $32 Seniors: $28 Student: $26
Discounts available for ETA/START, AAA
Preview Tickets are $14.
Student Rush tickets w/ ID 30 minutes prior to show time for $14 (if available).
Tickets may be purchased through the CSC Box Office: 513.381.2273 ext. 1 or online at www.cincyshakes.com
Group discounts are available starting at 6 people. Go online or contact the box office. Limited accessible seating is available for persons using wheelchairs. Please ask the box office for assistance. Assisted Listening Devices are available at the box office. Thursday performances feature a pre-show “Dumb Show” Sunday performances are followed by a Talk-Back with the cast on the stage.
*Member of Actor’s Equity Association, the professional union of actors and stage managers in the United States.
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Behind the Curtain Cincinnati 