THE PLOT, IN A NUTSHELL
Some of Shakespeare's plays are way out there: there are bed tricks, women dressing up like men, trickery, contests and more. "The Merchant of Venice" is a little out there.
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"The Merchant of Venice"
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 Entertainment
Art
Milwaukee Shakespeare Company
Peck School of the Arts at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee
2419 E. Kenwood Boulevard
Milwaukee, WI 53201
(414) 229-4308
For more information, visit www.milwaukeeshakespeare.com
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The main plot: Portia, a fair maiden of Venice, is of marrying age. In order to find a proper suitor, her father has set up a test: the suitor must pick the chest that contains fair Portia's picture. Bassanio, a Venetian nobleman with financial difficulties, would like to woo and win Portia, but in order to appear before her, he must borrow money (to serve as his dowry). Bassanio looks to his friend Antonio; however, all of Antonio's monies are tied up at see. Therefore, they go to Shylock, a Jewish moneylender and foe to Antonio. In order to convince Shylock that Antonio and Bassanio are good for the money, Antonio promises a pound of flesh if the loan is not repaid within a set period of time.
VERY NEAT
One of the things I liked most about the Milwaukee Shakespeare's production was entering into a theater en medias res: the actors were already on stage playing poker for about a half-hour prior to the show beginning.
In addition, the costumes were magnificently colored and made from various materials (lots of polyester and vinyl). It probably was a far more dramatic production of "The Merchant of Venice" than anything Shakespeare would have put on.
MY BIGGEST COMPLAINTS
Much like Baz Luhrmann's "Moulin Rouge," The Milwaukee Shakespeare Company's production of "The Merchant of Venice" is set in an unknown time period.
The costumes suggest Venice in the 15th century when masquerading was popular. However, the production incorporates other "modern" elements as well as matadors/toreadors of Spanish bullfighting fame. These modern elements can be seen specifically in the final video sequence where there are shots of Milwaukee's downtown, St. John's Cathedral and the Third Ward - obviously local establishments. In other backdrop photos (presumably of Venice or somewhere in Europe), there are cars present and other oddly modern objects.
Something about this mixture of modern and Renaissance without explanation of why leaves me uncomfortable; leaves me feeling as though they were willing to overlook the small details that serve to authenticate a production.
Perhaps I have seen too many Kenneth Branagh productions of Shakespeare's plays, but I prefer my adaptations to be all or none - give me a musical production, or set it in New York; if it is going to change it, really change it. Don't expect the audience to willingly accept or overlook inconsistencies. I guarantee that most audiences are unhappy with these things.
Additionally, the production included elements of homosexuality. Antonio and Bassanio had a little love affair going on that I have never seen in any other productions of "The Merchant of Venice," or in the book. I don't mind homosexual elements being included, but this love affair was very unnecessary and irrelevant to the plot line, so I am not sure why it was included.
AN INTERESTING NOTE
Antonio is played by Mark Metcalf who appeared in "Buffy the Vampire Slayer" and also as Doug Neidermeyer in "Animal House." He now lives in Milwaukee and owns a restaurant in Mequon called Libby Montana.
Photos provided by Mark Frohna
