Merchant of Venice (Hamlet Isn't Dead)

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.

Also I loved this!!! It's a true breath of fresh air! The addition of modern music was so creative! I thought the company did a great job, sans the most unsavoury parts. I went expecting the usual Shakespeare play and came away very pleasantly surprised. Do yourself a favour and go see it!... Read more Read less

See it if You love Shakespeare and want to see a modern-day version of his work; if you appreciate Old English plays

Don't see it if If you find Shakespeare boring or if you are looking for a musical.

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.

Also As always, I enjoyed this Hamlet Isn't Dead production, although I felt some of the actors were chewing the scenery a bit...
As a whole, however, it was well done, although even with the smart cuts, I find it a troublesome play.... Read more Read less

See it if Merchant as it should be: comedic at heart with some serious bits. Standout performances by Shylock, Antonio, and Portia.

Don't see it if If you hate to laugh and like stuffy theatre

See it if You enjoy Shakespeare; don't need to see fancy costumes or sets and are interested in supporting small theater companies.

Don't see it if You need to see theater in a traditional setting

See it if Like Shakespeare, like unconventional innovative theater!

Don't see it if hate Shakespeare

See it if You like a modern take on Shakespeare's "problematic" romantic play, with contemporary music & wardrobe, and a touch of modern compassion.

Don't see it if You are a Shakespeare purist who thinks tampering with the Bard's exact words is a crime.

See it if you appreciate a new envisioning of a show that has been done every which way.

Don't see it if you are a Shakespeare "purist" expecting a production that follows exactly the script as it was originally written in the original period.

See it if You want to enjoy comedic Shakesphere. Enjoy grassroots theater production. Great acting and music

Don't see it if You are looking for standard drama. Do want an exciting new Shakesphere or unique setting

Also Interesting labyrinth walk to theater. Friendly staff and actors. Picture taking easy... Read more Read less

See it if you like Shakespeare with a slightly different approach (a somewhat condensed musical version) in a very intimate setting.

Don't see it if you only like pure Shakespeare or you do not want to interact with the actors.

Also This was the third version of Merchant of Venice I saw this year. It was the most absorbing - perhaps because of the intimate setting that occasionally involved the audience. Shylock is played by an excellent actor and his performance matched or exceeded that of Jonathan Pryce in the Royal Shakespeare production at Lincoln Center.
Will definitely see more Shakespeare productions by Hamlet Isn't Dead.... Read more Read less

See it if You enjoy energized, irreverent Shakespeare with lots of music and great acting

Don't see it if You're in to glitzy, big-budget theatre. You don't like folk music.

See it if You like anything Shakespeare and like it with a twist. You want to laugh. You want to root for the good "guys". You like love stories.

Don't see it if You don't like simple staging. You don't want to hear good music and singing. You want traditional Shakespeare. You don't want to laugh.

See it if you like Shakespeare done in an entertaining and original manner. Good way to introduce Shakespeare to people who see the bard as stuffy.

Don't see it if you are a purist and do not like anyone tampering with Shakespeare.

See it if you don't mind no production values at all as long as it is creative and entertaining nonetheless. If you enjoy a fresh look at Shakespeare.

Don't see it if you expect big production values, with lights, costumes, etc. Or if you want to see a classical staging of Shakespeare.

See it if You enjoy fun takes on Shakespearean classics or you want a fun night out with a beer and some great music.

Don't see it if You find yourself criticizing accidental political subtext a lot, as there is some of this in the show.

See it if you like folk-y music, accessible Shakespeare, intimate staging

Don't see it if you don't like actors playing with the audience.

See it if You like a cut of Merchant that actually makes it enjoyable.

Don't see it if Your favorite parts of Merchant are the racist ones.

See it if you enjoy an unconventional take on Shakespeare and a romantic comedy. You are okay with the darker, religious theme being underplayed.

Don't see it if you dislike Shakespeare, characters breaking the fourth wall, actors interacting with playgoers, or anachronistic (think blues/folk) songs.

Also The space had poor lighting; depending on where you are sitting, you might have a spotlight shining in your face.

The final two acts in which Portia and Nerissa dress as men to save Bassanio's friend, Antonio, are by far the most memorable. The actors do a fantastic job of creating a lighthearted and hilarious scene after the trial.... Read more Read less

See it if you like modernized Shakespeare w/ non-traditional staging. If folk music integrated with story is up your alley (staging is in an alleyway)

Don't see it if you find immersive theatre to gimmicky and think cutting Shakespeare's "sacred" text is blasphemy!

See it if You want a contemporary "Merchant", edited in favor of the romantic themes of love & mercy w/less of the uncomfortable problem elements.

Don't see it if You prefer the traditional interpretation of "Merchant" & want all the problems & not-so happy resolutions.

See it if You like Shakespeare, know this play, and are open to a youthful but not really updated version. The language remains peerless, so go.

Don't see it if You dislike Shakespeare or are totally against anyone "messing with" the immortal Bard.

See it if you're nostalgic for slightly campy, shoestring-budget community Shakespeare productions that remind you of earnest, fun college theatre.

Don't see it if you want a faithful interpretation or slick staging. Avoid if you don't like folksy musical interjections (i.e. a guitar-strumming Antonio).

See it if you are a fan of low brow humour and Shakespeare meeting popular culture, or if you are a fan of supporting small community theatres.

Don't see it if you want to see a Shakespeare show where all original dialogues is maintained, and extra fluff is not added.

Also The space could have been used a lot better, even without adding crew members or costs. Also, staging was a bit confusing to the audience, and the musical 'interludes' were distracting from the plot. On the other hand, the actors playing Nerissa and Shylock were exceptional and the show is worth seeing because of them. I find that some of the problems could have been solved with a better use of props and costumes. I realize this is within the community theatre context. However, as a film and theatre professional, what makes the difference between good and bad show on a shoestring budget, does come down to the creativity of the director, crew and talent using minimal resources. An average audience member may appreciate it, especially those with little exposure to theare or Shakespeare . The reason is that they tried very hard to make accessible to the audience by using pop references.... Read more Read less