By William Shakespeare
Directed by Cheryl Rossillo
HSC began the first summer show of 2002 with a production of Merchant of Venice set in the 1920's New York. Cheryl Rossillo, who had previously appeared in the Stratford Day Festival showcase and as Ophelia in 2001's Hamlet, helmed the show as director and strove to bring the multi layered comedic love story with a delving into a ethnic relations into a period where similar sentiments were apparent. Click here to view the accompanying articles for Stratford, CT & Union City, NJ Set in a river front city, Antonio (William Schineller) and Bassanio (John Trigonis) seek to borrow money from a man they despise so Bassanio can woo a woman he is in love with, the rich Portia (Elizabeth Sugarman). Shylock (Basil Meola), the moneylender, is treated badly by the merchants simply because of he is religiously different. Though Shylock rails against them and wishes he could get revenge especially on Antonio for all of their mistreatment of him, he knows its a burden he is meant to bear. For monies borrowed, Antonio agrees to what seems like a ridiculous interest rate - a pound of flesh. Meanwhile, his daughter Jessica (Vanessa Lema) seeks to leave her father's rule and run off with Bassanio's friend Lorenzo (Jon Crefeld). With his other short-tempered friend Gratiano (Spiro Papas), Bassanio proceeds to Portia's residence to begin the wooing.
Ellsworth Park – Union City, NJ
Van Vorst Park – Jersey City, NJ
Hamilton Park – Jersey City, NJ
Pier A Park – Hoboken, NJ
Shipyard Park – Hoboken, NJ
Sinatra Park – Hoboken, NJ
Meadowland Park – South Orange, NJ
Stratford Library Quadrangle – Stratford, CT
Cast
Chris Van Dijk Launcelot Gobbo
Charles J. Roby Prince of Morocco
L. Robert Johnson Prince of Morocco
Jon Ciccarelli Shylock/Gratiano (us)
To view past seasons click on the years below:
2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002, 2001, 2000, 1999, 1998, 1992-1997
