Morristown Community Players bizarre take on William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice

Posted: 7/15/14 at 4:50pm

"MORRISTOWN, NJ—In an innovative, tradition-defying rethinking of one of the greatest (plays) in the English language, Morristown Community Players director Kevin Hiles announced Monday his bold intention to set his theater's production of William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice in 16th-century Venice. "I know when most people hear The Merchant Of Venice, they think 1960s Las Vegas, a high-powered Manhattan stock brokerage, or an 18th-century Georgia slave plantation, but I think it's high time to shake things up a bit," Hiles said. "The great thing about Shakespeare is that the themes in his plays are so universal that they can be adapted to just about any time and place."

According to Hiles, everything in the production will be adapted to the unconventional setting. Swords will replace guns, ducats will be used instead of the American dollar or Japanese yen, and costumes, such as Shylock's customary pinstripe suit, general's uniform, or nudity, will be replaced by garb of the kind worn by Jewish moneylenders of the Italian Renaissance."

Sounds...interesting? I hope someone can report on how it is.
"Self indulgent" interpretation?

[Mister Matt]

Posted: 7/15/14 at 4:53pm

It's way too conceptual. What on earth are they thinking?

[Kad]

Posted: 7/15/14 at 5:07pm

I'm kind of surprised this piece from 7 years ago is making the rounds again.

[LizzieCurry]

Posted: 7/15/14 at 5:08pm

Did Pat C think it was new?

[Gothampc]

Posted: 7/15/14 at 5:16pm

I think Ted Chapin of the Shakespeare Organization has already been alerted and issued a cease and desist letter. Imagine the cheek! Some directors think they can do any concept even if it goes against the author's original intent.

[Mattbrain]

Posted: 7/16/14 at 10:19am

Madness! Sheer madnesss!