The Merchant of Venice at Michael R. Klein Theatre

The Merchant of Venice

Michael R. Klein Theatre
450 7th Street NW Washington

In a city steeped in the ills of antisemitism, racism, misogyny, and homophobia, Shakespeare’s incendiary play exposes the fissures between fairness, accountability, and justice—and who profits from them. Tony Award nominee John Douglas Thompson (Jitney, Mare of Easttown), “one of the most compelling classical stage actors of his generation” (The New York Times), makes his STC debut as the enigmatic Shylock in this searing portrayal of society’s prejudices and the elusive nature of mercy.

Thru - Apr 24, 2022

Show Type: Drama

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The Merchant of Venice Reviews

Average Rating based on 7 reviews

Highly Recommended
Recommended
Somewhat Recommended
Not Recommended

Washington Post - Somewhat Recommended

"...So as much as I appreciate the technical refinements of Arbus's work, reflected also in Emily Rebholz's chic costumes and Marcus Doshi's effective lighting, a visit to "The Merchant of Venice" is less joyful release than bracing challenge. Its chief reward is Thompson's performance - the consolation of a giant talent tackling one of Shakespeare's toughest plays."

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- Peter Marks

MetroWeekly - Recommended

"...Most of the cast wields the language in a natural style to match the modern-dress setting, elegantly presented on scenic designer Riccardo Hernandez's stark, marbled stage. Acclaimed Shakespearean Thompson, however, takes a more traditional approach, which works just fine for him and the production, because he grips every word like a master."

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- Andre Hereford

Talkin Broadway - Highly Recommended

"...Arbus has worked with her cast to create indelible portraits, including capable Nerissa (Shirine Babb), now Portia's business manager rather than her maid; Portia's hilariously pompous steward Balthazar (Jeff Biehl); and Lancelet Gobbo (Nate Miller), a philosophical servant."

- Susan Berlin

Washington City Paper - Somewhat Recommended

"...The result of this fidelity to the text in a production set in the present day (there are cell phones, bags of cocaine, etc.) is high tension, but perhaps not the kind Airbus intended. What she has is a fully persuasive and entrancing lead performance from Thompson, surrounded by a lot of enervating nonsense that isn’t remotely as urgent or arresting. Every time Shylock left the stage, I found myself counting the minutes until his return. And after the climactic courtroom scene wherein Shylock is first denied the gruesome revenge he has chosen over a many-fold cash repayment of Antonio’s debt, then is subsequently stripped of his wealth, forcibly converted to Christianity and exiled, I found myself exhausted and desperate to be released. But there are two scenes and 20 minutes of low-stakes, mistaken-identity folderol—so overfamiliar from the funny Shakepearean comedies—yet to be endured. "

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- Chris Klimek

MD Theatre Guide - Highly Recommended

"...See this production for its historical insights into the plights of minorities and for the interesting concepts by director Arin Arbus. If you see it for no other reason, see it for the inspirational performance by John Douglas Thompson. You will not be disappointed."

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- Susan Brall

BroadwayWorld - Recommended

"...As the playfulness in Merchant swiftly gives way to queasiness, meaning mutates and the audience is back at the bottom of the metaphorical hill: the minute the play seems to be firmly asserting the humanity of Venice's outsiders, it's undermined viciously, and as soon as this couldn't seem more definitively condemning, moments of redemption emerge. The choice to cast Black actors as Shylock and Jessica complicates this web of resonances as racial and ethnic identities intertwine and echo throughout the characters' journeys. Of course, any play written four hundred years ago will have some of this disorienting effect for a modern audience. But The Merchant of Venice is a story about ethnic identity and justice, and the context of contemporary life puts its discomfiting edges into uniquely sharp relief."

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- Dara Homer

DC Theater Arts - Recommended

"...The Merchant of Venice is a controversial play. Its world is suffused with racism, antisemitism, misogyny, classism. Interpretations have varied wildly since the 18th century, and there is an ongoing debate as to whether it should be produced at all. STC has taken up the challenge and given us a richly illuminating production for our time."

- Sophia Howes

The Merchant of Venice at Michael R. Klein Theatre