The Shakespeare Conference: SHK 19.0641  Thursday, 13 November 2008

From:       David Evett <
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Date:       Monday, 10 Nov 2008 11:36:58 -0500
Subject:    Boston Merchant

The Actors Shakespeare Project, Boston's exceptional professional Shakespeare 
group, opened *Merchant of Venice* on Nov. 8, directed by Melia Bensussen, with 
Sarah Newhouse as Portia and Jerry Kissel as Shylock. Bensussen, who did a 
version she calls "sentimental" in New York in the 90s, decided this time to 
play it as an out and out if "uncomfortable" comedy - no punches pulled. In my 
not unbiased judgment, it manages to be very funny and very moving. Ticket 
information, directions to the theater, and reviews (the major local treatments 
will run on Nov. 12) can be found on the company website:

http://www.actorsshakespeareproject.org/.

On Nov. 18, Stephen Greenblatt will moderate a panel discussion of the play, 
"Being Shylock," arising from performances by company members of scenes from the 
production; the panel will include Bensussen, Kiddel, Michelle Ephraim (*Reading 
the Jewish Woman on the Elizabethan Stage") and Bernie Steinberg (President, 
Harvard Hillel). Ticket info and directions on the website.


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