Shakespeare in LA

Marisa Chandler and Barry Gordon in The School for Scandal

Parson’s Nose Theater begins their 15th Season with a Readers’ Theater Series performance of Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice, adapted by Lance Davis and featuring Barry Gordon as Shylock, at Lineage Performing Arts Center in Pasadena.

“In The Merchant of Venice, written in 1597, the young Shakespeare again performs his magic, taking elements from Italian tales and contemporary works (Marlowe’s The Jew of Malta) and giving his own spin,” explains PNT Artistic Director, Lance Davis. “His Christians are not merciful heroes, and his Shylock is not a greedy villain. His comedy does not end comfortably. Join us to listen to this brilliant 16th Century portrayal of justice vs. mercy. In today’s darkness of world tension, a shaft of light is most welcome, isn’t it?”

Parson’s Nose Readers Theater readings and productions are offered as “Pay What You Will” and may be reserved in advance or purchased at the door.

THE MERCHANT OF VENICE
Saturday, October 18 at 7:00pm
Sunday, October 19 at 3:00pm
Lineage Performing Arts Center
89 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena, CA 91105
Tickets and Information: 626-403-7667 or
www.parsonsnose.com
Prices: Pay What You Will
Running time appx. 90 minutes plus intermission. Appropriate ages 12+.

Jill Rogosheske, Michael Manuel, and Lance Davis in the Reader’s Theater performance of The School for Scandal. Photo by Peter Zuehlke

Parson’s Nose Theater, led by Artistic Director Lance Davis, announces its 15th anniversary season of classic theater in Southern California. The company’s season consists of three Reader’s Theater Series performances and three Full Productions. The Merchant of Venice kicks off the Reader’s Theater Series in October, followed by A Christmas Carol in December and The Barber of Seville in January, 2015. The season will also feature full productions of The Pied Piper of Hamlin – A Musical, The Madwoman of Chaillot, and Our American Cousin. All Reader’s Theater and Full Productions are original adaptations by Parson’s Nose artistic director, Lance Davis.

“It’s our fifteenth season introducing classic works to the people of Los Angeles. And we are just as committed to their relevance,” says Mr. Davis. “Shakespeare’s The Merchant of Venice presents two warring cultures, one behind the walls of the other. The Pied Piper is from an Eastern European legend of children lost in a war. Dickens’A Christmas Carol has reminded us for 160 years what it is to be human. Beaumarchais’ The Barber of Seville sails two young lovers through the rapids of authority. Giraudoux’s Madwoman of Chaillot ends the fracking of Paris. And Tom Taylor’s 1859 comedy sends our boorish American Cousin to visit an erstwhile Downton Abbey. Come get to know the lights of our past, that shine on our present and into our future.”  More