Bear Creek takes on Shakespeare’s ‘Merchant of Venice’ Jan. 12 and 14

Published 12:21 pm Friday, January 6, 2012

On Jan. 12 and 14, The Bear Creek School (TBCS) will perform William Shakespeare’s play, “The Merchant of Venice.”

“Merchant” is considered one of Shakespeare’s comedies, although it explores some heavier themes such as mercy, the execution of the law and Elizabethan attitudes of Christians and Jews towards one another. The plot involves a Venetian merchant, Bassanio (senior Hanna Anderson of Issaquah), his friend Antonio (senior Gabriel Wang of Redmond and junior Connor Thomas of Woodinville), a Jewish money lender named Shylock (junior Jake Casale of Redmond) and Portia (senior Ellie Probus of Sammamish), a wealthy maiden from Belmont.

Shylock’s maneuvering for a “pound of flesh” as a bond of payment for a borrowed sum of money has elevated him to the pinnacle of unforgettable villains in literature, although some view him as a figure who shoulders the burden of an uncharitable Christian.

Bear Creek’s production, which is directed by Dr. Ron Lynch, is double-cast to allow more students to act in major roles and involves 20 scene changes. The Venetian setting is depicted by a mural painted on five 4-foot-by-8-foot panels. Each panel rotates on its center axis to reveal Portia’s Belmont estate on the reverse side.

All performances are open to the public. Tickets ($5 individual or $10 for the whole family) may be purchased at the door. TBCS Cornerstone Theater is located at 8905 208th Ave. N.E. in Redmond.

For more information, call (452) 898-1720 or visit www.tbcs.org.

Performances will be Jan. 12 at 4 p.m. and 7 p.m. and Jan. 14 at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m.