Shakespeare's Globe's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, Starring Jonathan Pryce, Opens Tonight at The Kennedy Center

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts presents Shakespeare's Globe's critically acclaimed production of Shakespeare's THE MERCHANT OF VENICE in five performances tonight, July 27, through July 30, 2016 in the Kennedy Center Eisenhower Theater. Directed by Jonathan Munby, designed by Mike Britton, and composed by Jules Maxwell, the production stars Jonathan Pryce CBE in the role of Shylock. The press opening night is tonight, July 27, 2016 at 7:30 p.m.

This new production originally premiered at Shakespeare's Globe in London in April 2015. The cast also features Stefan Adegbola (Lancelot), Christopher Logan (Arragon/Stephano), BrIan Martin (Salarino), Rachel Pickup (Portia), and Phoebe Pryce (Jessica). Additional casting will be announced at a later date.

After ships lost at sea prevent the repayment of a loan from his bitter rival Shylock, wealthy merchant Antonio seeks the help of his close friend Bassanio, and Bassanio's cunning new wife, Portia, to save him from a binding contract which calls for his late payment to be bodily repaid. Featuring a despondent merchant, a suffering Jewish moneylender, and a pound of flesh that by law must be exacted, THE MERCHANT OF VENICE is one of Shakespeare's most poetic plays.

Jonathan Pryce (Shylock) CBE is an internationally acclaimed stage and screen actor, who most recently appeared as Cardinal Wolsey in the television adaptation of Hilary Mantel's Wolf Hall. His extensive theater work includes Comedians in London and on Broadway, for which he won a Tony Award; Hamlet in London, for which he received an Olivier Award; and Miss Saigon, in which he starred on both sides of the Atlantic, winning further Olivier and Tony Awards. Jonathan also won the Cannes Film Festival and Evening Standard Awards for Best Actor for his performance in the film Carrington.

Founded by the pioneering American actor and director Sam Wanamaker, Shakespeare's Globe in London is a unique international resource dedicated to the exploration of Shakespeare's work and The Playhouse for which he wrote, through the connected means of performance and education.

Together, The Globe Theatre, Globe Exhibition & Tour, and Globe Education seek to further the experience and international understanding of Shakespeare in performance.

Tickets starting at $69 go on sale to members on February 22, 2016 at 10 a.m. and to the public on February 24, 2016 at 10 a.m.

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