(MADISON, NJ) -- The Shakespeare Theatre of New Jersey kicks off its 55th season with The Merchant of Venice, not seen at The Shakespeare Theatre since 2000. Acclaimed company member Robert Cuccioli returns to direct. Shakespeare’s dark comedy and one of his most controversial tales, is a timely masterpiece that is eerily resonant of our world today. Performances begin on May 17 and run through June 4.
A money-obsessed, patriarchal, dysfunctional society where wealth bestows power; one in which women cannot determine their own fate, and one marked by religious and racial prejudice. A play that offers no true villains or heroes, Shakespeare’s Venice represents a culture as complex and troubling as today’s, where the situations and questions posed ask to examine the “quality of mercy” in myriad ways.
Bonnie J. Monte, the Theatre’s Artistic Director said, “There are so many reasons we are thrilled about this coming year. We’re very excited to be welcoming Bob Cuccioli back for his tenth season with us, this time in the role of director, bringing our audience a show that has not been done here for 17 years. Never was there a more apt moment in time to revive The Merchant of Venice, and having worked with Bob many times on challenging Shakespeare productions, I know he will guide our stellar cast with a sure directorial hand.”
The Cast: Taking on the famous role of Shylock is Andrew Weems in his seventh season at The Shakespeare Theatre. His company credits include Accidental Death of an Anarchist, Noises Off, King John, and Rhinoceros, among many others. He has appeared on Broadway in Born Yesterday, Inherit the Wind, The Green Bird, and London Assurance.
Brent Harris returns for his sixth season with The Shakespeare Theatre as Antonio, the merchant referred to by the play’s title. Mr. Harris most recently played King Berenger the First in last season’s Exit the King, a performance that received unanimous acclaim including rave reviews from The New York Times and The Wall Street Journal. He has also appeared in national tours of The Lion King (Scar) and The Screwtape Letters (Screwtape).
Melissa Miller returns for her third season in the role of Portia, one of Shakespeare’s most notable female characters. Her company credits include Fallen Angels and Macbeth. She has performed regionally with McCarter Theatre Center, Pittsburgh Public, Premiere Stages, and 59E59. Ms. Miller’s television credits include Elementary, The Path, and All My Children.
As Bassanio, John Keabler returns to The Shakespeare Theatre for his second season. His company credits include Richard III and the staged reading of It’s a Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play. He has performed regionally with The Shakespeare Theatre Company, Kentucky Repertory, Virginia Repertory Company, among many others.
After directing last summer’s wildly successful The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (revised), Jeffrey M. Bender returns for his eighteenth season as Lancelot Gobbo/Prince of Arragon. His company credits include Love’s Labour’s Lost, Much Ado About Nothing, The Alchemist, The Tempest, and Fallen Angels, to name just a few. Mr. Bender has appeared on Broadway in A Time to Kill (Golden Theatre) and Cymbeline (Lincoln Center).
Jay Leibowitz returns for his eleventh season with The Shakespeare Theatre in the role of Solanio. His company credits include The Comedy of Errors, Othello, The Grapes of Wrath, Life of Galileo, Pericles, and Carnival!, among many others. He has performed regionally with Aquila Theatre Company, Manhattan Theatre Source, TAC, and Gulfshore Playhouse.
For his STNJ debut, Ian Gould will play the role of Gratiano. Mr. Gould has performed with The Acting Company in Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead, Hamlet, and A Connecticut Yankee in King Arthur's Court. His regional credits include Les Misérables, The Merry Wives of Windsor, The Seagull (Great Lakes Theatre); Copenhagen (Luna Stage); and Amadeus (New Harmony Theatre).
Robert S. Gregory makes his STNJ debut in the role of Duke of Venice/Old Gobbo. His recent stage credits include The Dressmaker’s Secret (59E59), Bard at the Lake (Blue Horse Repertory), and Mr. Paradise (Arthur Seelen Theater). He has performed regionally with Fort Worth Shakespeare, NY Theatre Ensemble, Folger Theatre, and Aspen Playwrights.
As Lorenzo, Anthony Michael Martinez returns for his second season with The Shakespeare Theatre, having previously toured with Shakespeare LIVE!. He has appeared Off-Broadway in I’ll Be Damned and Restoration Comedy (Drama Desk nominee). He has performed regionally in Floyd Collins (Kentucky Repertory Theatre) and internationally in As You Like It (Hyde Park).
Tug Rice will play Salario as he begins his second season with The Shakespeare Theatre. He previously appeared in The Royal Family. He has performed regionally with Sierra Repertory Theatre, Arrow Rock Lyceum Theatre, and the Pennsylvania Shakespeare Festival. His film and television credits include Life at Twenty and As the World Turns.
Rounding out the cast are Amaia Arana as Jessica, Rachel Towne as Nerissa, Ademide Akintilo as Prince of Morroco, Byron Clohessy, and Joe Penczak.
The Kirby Shakespeare Theatre is located at 36 Madison Avenue in Madison, NJ.
