Merchant of Venice 1st Preview

[musicalperson17]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 9:08pm

Did anyone go? How was it? I'm noticing a trend with movie stars starring in Shakespeare at the Broadhurst Theatre in the fall season. How mobbed is the stage door?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 10:39pm

I was at the final dress and thought it was absolutely spellbinding--

[Yankeefan007]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 10:51pm

MB, can you go into some specifics about how they "indoor'ed it" please?

[philly03]

Posted: 10/19/10 at 11:16pm

I saw Addams Family again tonight, but when I was walking my way over towards 8th Ave i noticed a huge mass of people that were swarming a car - it was Al Pacino. Lots of police, looked like a few people were even running after his car when he left. TONS of people!

[willep]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 5:37am

I, too, am very intrigued as to how they went about "indoor-ing" it...

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 9:30am

I didn't see the production in the park so I can't exactly compare them, although the design sounds identical to that described in the Times Review over the summer. Seeing shows in the park is always lovely, although I personally usually believe these productions are actually improved by moving indoors - the elements are easier to control, there is less distraction etc.

I can't imagine the production in the park being any better than what I saw on Monday night. Cross the board superb - new cast members were incredibly good (David Harbour and especially Christopher Fitzgerald) and much has already been written about the power of Pacino and Lily Rabe's performances.

The real star of course is Daniel Sullivan who's directorial work is stunning to look at and beautifully insightful.

Its definitely the strongest Shakespeare production I've ever seen in a Broadway house.

[tking001]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 10:10am

How crowded was lotto? Anyone know?

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 10:11am

I walked by the theatre around 6:00 last night as they were doing the lottery and there were maybe 30 people there.

[tking001]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 10:16am

wow
small crowd
Anyone know how many seats they have

[CockeyedOptimist2]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:00pm

I bet they'd tell you if you went and tried it yourself.

[theatreguy]

Posted: 10/20/10 at 8:13pm

I believe there are 16 lotto seats. They're in the side sections of row L in the mezz.

[willep]

Posted: 10/21/10 at 5:42am

I am curious about the sets. In the park, it was all so massive that there was now way it would all work in the Broadhurst, at least that's what it seemed to me.

[Michael Bennett]

Posted: 10/21/10 at 10:45am

The sets are large but fit comfortably on the stage of the Broadhurst. There is still to double frame circular gate with the hanging abicus and the tower units. Its all 'big' but beautifully sparse.

[musicalperson17]

Posted: 10/21/10 at 9:55pm

is there any specific reason they are only peforming 7 shows a week? i thought all shows did 8 a week

[RippedMan]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 1:08am

Is their a backdrop and whatnot? Do they still do all the baptizing?

[willep]

Posted: 10/22/10 at 5:15am

Thanks, MB!