The Merchant of Venice | CTX Live Theatre

The Merchant of Venice
by Concho Shakespeare

Oct. 05 - Oct. 12
Friday-Sunday

Venice…a city of love and, more importantly, commerce. The young Bassanio is desperate to wed the beautiful heiress, Portia, but doesn’t have the funds. Antonio, an antisemitic merchant, decides to help his friend, Bassanio, by taking out a loan from Shylock, a Jewish moneylender. When Antonio defaults on his loan, Shylock demands a pound of Antonio’s flesh as per their agreement. The case is taken to court where Portia, disguised as a lawyer, attempts to save Antonio from a grisly fate.

This play is a complex exploration of prejudice, revenge, and the nature of justice and mercy. We all pay our pound of flesh…one way or another.

Concho Shakespeare is a group of individuals keen on maintaining the tradition of Shakespeare in West Texas. Previously known as "Shakespeare on the Concho," it began as a program run by the non-profit Be Theatre. Unfortunately, in May 2024 Be Theatre was forced to dissolve. However those of us involved with Shakespeare wanted to keep the spirit alive and are independently producing "The Merchant of Venice" this October. Thanks to the help of the San Angelo Performing Arts Center, thisrag-tag group of dreamers is able to perform in a beautiful, comfortable venue.

(via CS)