Dive into a bold reimagining of Shakespeare's most controversial play, adapted as a musical for the first time.

Inspired by the Shakespearean play, Merchant of Venice: The Musical takes place in 16th-century Venice. It's about Antonio, a merchant, and his friend Bassanio, a man who wishes to woo an heiress named Portia. To help Bassanio impress Portia with a display of wealth, Antonio makes a deal with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, despite his distrust of the Jewish population. When Antonio is unable to pay back his loan, Shylock decides that it's time to mistreat Antonio in the same way both he and his people have been mistreated for years.

CONTENT ADVISORY

William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice has shocked, intrigued, and troubled audiences for over four centuries. This adaptation intends to re-examine the controversial content found in the play through a modern lens. That means Merchant of Venice: The Musical directly engages with racism, anti-Semitism, misogyny, homophobia, and classism. By tackling this uncomfortable material with intention, we hope to illuminate the ways in which these challenging themes still haunt us today.