Shakespeare in Zilker Park: The Merchant of Venice
Saturday, May 11th, in Zilker Park
Join HLSA of Austin on Saturday, May 11th at the 35th annual Shakespeare in Zilker Park. This year's produciton is The Merchant of Venice, which features a climactic trial and the legal themes of justice, revenge and betrayal, alongside Shakespeare's mainstays of cross-dressing and dramatic speeches. The play is free to the public and starts at 8:00pm. We'll meet at 7:30pm at the entrance of the Sheffield Educational Center (see map), and board member Rachel Saldaña will direct the group to our blankets. RSVP here.
Synopsis: Written between 1596 to 1598, The Merchant of Venice focuses on Bassanio, who, in an effort to gain the wealthy Portia’s hand in marriage, calls on his dear friend and Venetian merchant Antonio for a loan. Antonio then becomes indebted to the begrudged moneylender Shylock, who requests his payment be returned with “a pound of flesh.” Intertwining tones of romance, comedy and danger culminate in a lively trial, metaphorically underscoring the pitfalls of greed and what a life is truly worth. Set in the Belle Époque period of 1890s Italy and brought to life by theater company Austin Shakespeare, the play highlights the immersive design of artistic director Ann Ciccolella and costume designer Aaron Kubacak.
