RIALTO CHATTER: MERCHANT OF VENICE Generates $4M Advance?

Michael Riedel reports in the New York Post this morning that Al Pacino's star power has earned The Merchant of Venice the winners spot for the fall's highest advance generating show.  The production, which opens at the Broadhurst Theatre on November 7, 2010, has reportedly taken in approximately $4M, beating out all incoming fall plays and musicals.

To read Riedel's full report, click here.

The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson), Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel will present Daniel Sullivan's critically acclaimed production of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Al Pacino will reprise his celebrated performance as Shylock on Broadway for 78 performances only, beginning Tuesday, October 19 at the Broadhurst Theatre (235 W. 44th Street) and running through Sunday, January 9. Opening Night will be Sunday, November 7 at 6:45 p.m.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is one of Shakespeare's most thrilling and controversial plays, rich with love and betrayal, forgiveness and revenge. The Jewish moneylender Shylock makes a loan to Antonio, a Christian merchant. Their loan contract, steeped in prejudice and centered on the play's infamous "pound of flesh," sweeps the two men and everyone in their worlds into chaos. Only the insightful Portia can imagine a way forward, but for her and those she loves, even "the quality of mercy" has its limits.

Following a sold-out, eight week run at the Delacorte Theater in Central Park, The Public Theater is transferring THE MERCHANT OF VENICE to Broadway with co-producers Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel who are also partnering with The Public on the upcoming Broadway transfer of Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson. Richards and Frankel partnered with The Public on the Tony Award-winning revival of Hair on Broadway, London's West End and the upcoming national tour of Hair beginning in October in Washington, DC.

The design team for THE MERCHANT OF VENICE will feature scenic design by Mark Wendland; costume design by Jess Goldstein; lighting design by Kenneth Posner; sound design by ACME Sound Partners; and original music by Dan Moses Schreier.

For tickets, visit visit Telecharge.com.