"SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE)" RECEIVES 2012 BEST OF HOLLYWOOD FRINGE HONORS
Speed Merchant (of Venice)
“This cast. This adaptation. This production. So good.
So very, very good.” – Turnstyle News
Adapted by Tiger Reel and Jack Young
Directed by Tiger Reel
HOLLYWOOD – Action! Theatre Company has announced that they are extending their acclaimed production of SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE) as part of the “Best of Hollywood Fringe” at Theatre Asylum on Saturday, July 14 at 8:30pm and Sunday, July 15 at 5:00pm.
This 90-minute adaptation of Shakespeare’s controversial “Merchant of Venice” has received glowing reviews from the press and audiences alike, getting a “GO!” from LA Weekly who said “Playful but not glib, this worthwhile production blends satiric riffs and a contemporary sensibility into a meaningful rendering of Shakespeare’s troubling play.” and Backstage West Critics’ Pick claiming “This dynamic reading has captured ‘Merchant’s core more winningly than many a fully scripted account.”
Action! Theatre Company Artistic Director Tiger Reel brings his acclaimed modern take on the Bard to the Hollywood Fringe Festival. In partnership with Jack Young, Head of the University of Houston Professional Actor Training Program and Houston Shakespeare Festival Associate Artistic Director, A!TC presents a World Premiere Adaptation of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice”: SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE).
Attacking the Bard’s most controversial story with their customary imagination and visceral staging: Action! Theatre Company presents the tale of corporate killer, Antonio. Antonio enters into a deal with Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, in order to help his former lover take part in “The Lottery”, a reality game show, to vie for the hand of a beautiful heiress. Taking inspiration from the recent tales of corporate malfeasance and the reality show antics of the Kardashians, SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE) is a 90-minute sprint through one of Shakespeare’s nastiest comedies.
“’The Merchant of Venice’ is one of Shakespeare’s most modern plays,” Reel said, “its tone and presentation of some truly flawed characters could find a place on the television dial next to ‘Mad Men’ and ‘Breaking Bad’. It’s a world where racism and anti-semitism are common place and push a man to the point of rage and desperation. We’re honored to be selected ‘Best of Fringe’ this year and look forward to seeing which buttons continues to get pushed in this day and age.”
SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE) stars Jack Young as Shylock, Abbie Cobb (ABC’s “Suburgatory”) as Jessica and Vanessa Vaughn as Portia. Also featuring Orestes Arcuni, A.J. Diamond, Keith Edie, David Hardie, Ted Heyck, Samantha Klein, Tom Metcalf, Nicholas Mongiardo-Cooper, Chris Triana and Jon Weinberg as Antonio.
THE FACTS:
WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE’S SPEED MERCHANT (OF VENICE)
• Adapted by Tiger Reel and Jack Young Directed by Tiger Reel
• Assistant Director – Tom Metcalf
• Costume Designer – Vicki Conrad
• Sound Design – Tiger Reel
• Set Design – Tom Metcalf
Performances: Saturday, July 14th @ 8:30pm
Sunday, July 15th @ 5pm
Where: Theatre Asylum
6320 Santa Monica Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90038
Tickets: http://hff12.org/915 $15 General Admission
Press/Media Contact: Amy Mucken, 323.841.2756
