THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
By William Shakespeare
Directed by Mitchell Maglio
WHEN: July 8, 9, 15, 16 | 8:00 PM – 11:00 PM
WHERE: RCSF Tuscan Garden at Snug Harbor
ADMISSION: General admission: $27 | Student/Senior: $22 | Snug Harbor Member: $22
There is no denying that a current of humanity’s history of racism, antisemitism, and the persecution of “others” continues to flow today into dark, oppressive reservoirs of hatred. SIST’s production of The Merchant of Venice will be performed in Renaissance period, inside the beauty of the Tuscan Garden, and will retain the contrasting ugliness of antisemitic prejudice against the character of Shylock. Mitch Maglio, our director who is Jewish himself, aims to present Shylock as a full-blooded character rather than stereotype, and with that comes the exploration of Shylock’s journey as he confronts the dangers of seeking revenge and taking on the characteristics of his persecutors.
As with all our productions of Shakespeare’s works, we seek to create and hold aloft a mirror to our contemporary audiences and hope it inspires them to consider the effects of antisemitism, racism, and persecution in today’s world.
Featuring:
Michael Anne Hoffert-Cone
Brandy Thomas
Suki Herbert
Jack Dawson
Victoria Gullo
Justin Giachetti
Meg Oikawa
Matt Provenzano
Hannah Simpson
Abby McNulty
Amanda Rose Benjamin
Gary Moore
Israel Wasserstein
Tom Shcherbenko
James Jagiello
Mona Bruno
Brittany Daniel
This event is supported by Staten Island Foundation, Tiger Baron Foundation, Staten Island Arts, NYC DCLA
