Wednesday, May 20, 2020

Southwest Shakespeare Company Announces HADESTOWN Star Patrick Page in THE MERCHANT OF VENICE, this Saturday, May 23


Tune in this Saturday, May 23 @ 6:30pm on ZOOM and Facebook to see a star-studded cast in The Merchant of Venice at Southwest Shakespeare Company.

Broadway’s Hadestown Star and Emmy Awardee / TONY Nominee , Patrick Page plays Antonio in a battle of wits, wiles, and moral dilemmas.

Links: 


  - or search -
SSC’s Virtual Classics Live - Merchant of Venice

Directed by Irwin Appel and assisted by David Ira Goldstein, Southwest Shakespeare Company brings a cavalcade of celebrities to screens and electronic devices from Arizona to Australia. “Nearly 1500 people tuned into our broadcast last week. We have been getting messages from places like Japan, Australia, the Netherlands and all over the United States” said Executive Director Mary Way. “We couldn’t  be more surprised and think Patrick’s participation is going to make this a truly landmark event.” 

“Hopefully, we will be all the more grateful for our ability to gather together”, said Page. 

In addition to Emmy Awardee / TONY Nominee, Page, television’s run-away hits’ “Cheer” and “Last Chance U” creator/producer, Greg Whiteley will be in the cast.
Local favorites: Beau Heckman; Alison Campbell; Kyle Sorrel; John Way; and David Ira Goldstein also join the mix. Irwin Appel Head of UCSB’s Department of Theater and Dance, founder of Naked Shakes, and Juilliard graduate, will direct and play Shylock.
David Ira Goldstein stepped in to help as Assistant Director. Way commented “David Ira is the most overqualified Assistant Director we’ve ever had!” Goldstein said, “Such a pleasure to spend time with so many talented folks! [I am] having a ball! And I get to act with Patrick? Heaven!!!”
Harlem Shakespeare’s founder, Debra Ann Byrd, currently Artist-in-Residence at Southwest Shakespeare Company, brings from Harlem Dathan Williams - who is easily recognized from many television appearances. Byrd, “I have been living in SW Shakes for so long it has become my spiritual home. Mary and I sit in the same room week in and week out running our respective Theater Companies - we really have a great meeting of the minds, bond, and shared resources. We function very much like a family during these troubled times.”

Theaters are expected to be among the last industries to recover from closures. “All participants are volunteers and have been very generous with their time and talent”, said SSC Director of Production Stacey Walston. “It’s an art form all it’s own. Every week a new surprise - a thunderstorm in the Midwest is as likely to interfere with interface as someone tripping over the cord in the living-room. It’s the new meaning of ‘home theater’ - Tune in this Saturday and see what new technical mystery will be revealed - and enjoy the fun and excitement of live performance and a great play!”

 Merchant of Venice Cast List
Antonio                    Patrick Page
Salarino                    Dathan Williams
Solanio                     Kyle Sorell                            
Bassanio                  Zach Appelman
Lorenzo                    Walter Kmiec
Gratiano                   Cameron Knight
Portia                        Tracie Lane
Nerissa                      Alison Campbell
Shylock                     Irwin Appel
Prince of Morocco    Debra Ann Byrd
Launcelot Gobbo      John Way
Old Gobbo                Greg Whiteley
Leonardo                   Cooper Bruhns
Jessica                      Tadja Enos
Prince of Arragon      Jeff Mills
Tubal                         David Ira Goldstein
Stephania                  Sierra Hastings
Duke of Venice/SD    Beau Heckman

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