Merchant of Venice (Hamlet Isn't Dead) NYC Reviews and Tickets

86%

(24 Reviews)

Positive

92%

Mixed

Negative

Members say

Great acting, Entertaining, Delightful, Clever, Funny

About the Show

Hamlet Isn't Dead presents one of Shakespeare's most problematic plays in a streamlined production that highlights the strength of love, both romantic and familial, old and new.

Watch as young lovers overcome the boundaries of religion, tradition, and the constraints of gender in their quest for true love. With live music and a heartfelt message, this is a thrilling classic the whole family can enjoy. Hamlet Isn't Dead's mission is to produce the complete canon of William Shakespeare in chronological order. 'The Merchant of Venice' marks No. 13.

Member Reviews (24)

Absorbing, Ambitious, Great singing, Intense, Thought-provoking

See it if you enjoy Shakespeare with a somewhat modern take and the humor magnified. & Mumford and Sons music!

Don't see it if you prefer your Shakespeare untampered with and are a purist. Read more

100

Refreshing, Must see, Entertaining, Delightful, Absorbing

See it if You're looking for a fresh, modern twist on a classic and you don't mind a healthy dose of 21st century influence and music thrown in.

Don't see it if You aren't open-minded about the bard's work being adjusted and are a Shakespeare purist or if small, intimate theater doesn't work for you. Read more

Critic Reviews (2)

"An entertaining musical portrayal of this overdone story...It felt like the audience helped decide what was going to happen next in the plot! For this, the director should truly be commended. This production is not bogged down with set, lights, or props. It is purely about the relationship of the characters to one another and to the audience. It is basic and beautiful...Some actors were more comfortable with the language than others, but with what some lacked others made up for."
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"This ‘Merchant’ marks the first time I was able to watch without getting angry, and actually enjoy the story and its players…The answer to how Laws achieves this feat lies not only in his confident and playful staging, but in the judicious cuts made to the text. Most significant among these cuts are the grotesque extremes around the problem of Shylock...I do wonder, with the nastiness cut out, if it is still the same play. Honestly, though, I prefer this version."
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