The Merchant of Venice Moves to Broadway

Shakespeare's classic comedy, The Merchant of Venice, begins performances at Broadway's Broadhurst Theatre. The production, starring Al Pacino as Shylock, transfers to Broadway following a successful run at Shakespeare in the Park.

Considered one of Shakespeare’s most thrilling and controversial plays, The Merchant of Venice is a story of love and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. In the play, Jewish moneylender Shylock makes a loan to Antonio, a Christian merchant. Their loan contract, steeped in prejudice and centered on the play's infamous “pound of flesh,” sweeps the two men and everyone in their worlds into chaos. Only the insightful Portia can imagine a way forward, but for her and those she loves, even "the quality of mercy" has its limits.