Parson’s Nose Theater Kicks Off 15th Season with a Readers’ Theater Performance
of The Merchant of Venice, Featuring Barry Gordon
Saturday, October 18th to Sunday, October 19th
Parson’s Nose Theater (PNT) will kick off their 2014-15 Season with a Readers’ Theater Series performance of William Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice.
“Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” –George Santayana
“In The Merchant of Venice, written in 1597, the young Shakespeare again performs his magic, taking elements from Italian tales and contemporary works (Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta) and giving his own spin,” explains PNT Artistic Director, Lance Davis. “His Christians are not merciful heroes, and his Shylock is not a greedy villain. His comedy does not end comfortably. Given today’s news cycle, what better play for us to explore?
“We just came back from a trip to Provence,” says Mr. Davis, “and I couldn’t help but be struck by the overwhelming and historical Christian dominance of everyday life. Whether Catholic or Protestant, it was a Christian world. Anyone else was ‘the other’ and perhaps tolerated, but also feared, and therefore tightly controlled. In the tiny town of Vaison la Romaine there is a sign pointing to ‘La Juiverie’, a narrow, isolated lane – with a huge bolted gate. Today that sign could also point to the African sector or the Asian sector, and not just in the streets, but also in our minds. We Americans are no different. Arab, Jew, Gay, Female, Foreign, Intellectual – ‘the other’.”
Join us to listen to this brilliant 16th Century portrayal of justice vs. mercy. In today’s darkness of world tension, a shaft of light is most welcome, isn’t it?”
Parson’s Nose Theater’s 2014-15 Season begins with The Merchant of Venice, October 18th at 7pm and October 19th at 3pm. Running time appx. 90 minutes plus intermission. Appropriate ages 12+.
Parson’s Nose Theater performs at Lineage Performing Arts Center located at 89 South Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91105
Parson’s Nose Readers Theater readings and productions are offered as “Pay What You Will” ($5-$25). Reservations may be made online at www.parsonsnose.com or by calling 626-403-7667. Tickets may also be purchased at the door.
The Merchant of Venice is sponsored in part by an Anonymous Donation, The Los Angeles County Arts Commission, and the J. Mario Molina Family Foundation.
Calendar Listing: “The Merchant of Venice”
THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
By William Shakespeare, Adapted by Lance Davis
Performances at Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91105
Parson’s Nose Theater Business Office, 1325 Monterey Rd., South Pasadena, CA 91030
Dates:
Saturday, October 18 at 7:00pm
Sunday, October 19 at 3:00pm
Tickets and Information:
Website: www.parsonsnose.com
Phone: 626-403-7667
Prices: Pay What You Will
Tickets may be purchased online, over the phone, or at the door.
About Parson’s Nose Theater
Parson’s Nose Theater is a non-profit, 501(c)3 theater company located in Pasadena, CA dedicated to introducing classical theater to modern audiences. Founded in 2000 by Lance Davis and Mary Chalon Davis, Parson’s Nose has introduced approximately sixty-five fun, condensed, professional presentations of thirty-two comedies to over 65,000 kids and adults. Productions are presented in a fun, commedia dell-arte style that makes them both engaging and easy to understand. Parson’s Nose is the only company in America devoted to this new way of experiencing the classics.
