Pacino to Star in MERCHANT OF VENICE; Ferguson, Martin, Rabe, Santiago-Hudson & Wright Join Shakespeare in Park Rep

Ruben Santiago-Hudson (Prince of Morocco/Leontes) played the title role in Mary Zimmerman's 1997 revival of Henry VIII at Shakespeare in the Park. He made his Public Theater debut in EuGene Lee's East Texas Hot Links and wrote and starred in 2001's Lackawanna Blues, for which he won an Obie Award. On Broadway, he received Tony, Outer Critics, Drama League and Clarence Derwent Awards for his performance in August Wilson's Seven Guitars and appeared in Wilson's Gem of the Ocean and the musical Jelly's Last Jam. He directed Seven Guitars and The First Breeze of Summer at Signature and Things of Dry Hours at New York Theatre Workshop. His numerous film credits include Coming to America, The Devil's Advocate, Shaft, Domestic Disturbance, Mr. Brooks, American Gangster, The Invention of Lying, and George C. Wolfe's made-for-television adaptation of Lackawanna Blues.

Max Wright (Old Gobbo/Old Shepherd). His long history with The Public Theater includes appearances in the Shakespeare in the Park productions of Taming of the Shrew (1999) and Henry IV, Part 1 (1981), and The Public's productions of The Cherry Orchard (1977), The Basic Training of Pavlo Hummel and That Championship Season. His numerous Broadway credits include Richard III opposite Al Pacino, The Great White Hope, and Lincoln Center Theater's productions of Twelfth Night and Ivanov (Tony nomination). He is best-known to television audiences for his starring roles on "Alf" and "The Norm Show."

For additional information about Shakespeare in the Park, visit The Public Theater website at www.publictheater.org