GREENVILLE, S.C. (February 20, 2017) – The Bob Jones University Classic Players will present an all new production of William Shakespeare’s “Merchant of Venice” in Rodeheaver Auditorium Thursday through Saturday, March 16 – 18, at 8 p.m. each evening.
“The Merchant of Venice” tells the story of a rich Venetian merchant forced to default on a loan from a vengeful moneylender. Shylock, the play’s central figure and one of the most intriguing of Shakespeare’s villains, will explore the play’s themes of money, religion, justice and mercy.
“Our cast has taken a long, hard, honest look at the issues that make ‘Merchant’ somewhat difficult for modern audiences,” says Stegall, associate professor in BJU’s theatre arts department. “We’ve come to see the play’s message as a beautiful parable of mercy.”
BJU’s Classic Players’ first Shakespearean play, “Merchant of Venice” was first performed by BJU in 1930 at the original campus in College Point, Florida. Since that time, “Merchant” is the Classic Players’ most performed work, having been staged fourteen times at BJU, the last time in 1998.
Directed and designed by Jeffrey Stegall, the production features Bob Jones III as Shylock. The cast also features Stegall as Antonio, the eponymous merchant; Christina Yasi as Portia, the young heiress of Belmont; and Benjamin Nicholas as Bassanio, Portia’s Venetian gentleman suitor.
Ticket prices are $34-$43 for adults and full time student tickets are $23. Tickets are available at www.bju.edu/merchant or by calling (864) 770-1372.
