THE MERCHANT OF VENICE A REVIEW

After a highly praised run in Central Park last summer the Public Theatre's production of "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE" has come to Broadway in a splendid production that makes Shakespeare's famous play far more accessable to modern audiences then ever before.
Most of the interest in this production was generated by the casting of Al Pacino in the role of Shylock, the Jewish moneylender who takes a pound of flesh if loans are not repaid and he is at the very least fine and at the very most wonderful.
The evening's best performance comes from Lily Rabe as a beautiful heiress being courted by a venetian merchant, Ms. Rabe is fast becoming that rare actress that lights up any stage she is on and has that rare something called personal magnetisim.
Under the beautifully orchestrated stage direction by Daniel Sullivan and led by by the exceptional performances by Ms. Rabe and Mr. Pacino the rest of the acting company is first rate.
Also helping the evening greatly are the sets by Mark Wendland, the costumes by Jess Goldstein, and the lighting by Kenneth Posner.
With everything going for it this production of "THE MERCHANT OF VENICE" is a whale of an evening and in this arid theatre season[so far] this is a real cause for dancing in the streets.
AT THE BROADHURST THEATRE 235 WEST 44th STREET N.Y.C. THRU JAN. 9th and seats are scarce , but it is well worth the effort to try to get them.