'The Merchant of Venice' review — a Jewish reclamation of Shakespeare's problem play

Read our review of The Merchant of Venice off Broadway, a new, limited-run revival of Shakespeare's classic play adapted and directed by Igor Golyak.

Beatrice Onions
Beatrice Onions

A reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s most controversial plays makes its Off-Broadway debut at The Lynn F. Angelson Theater, presented by Arlekin Players Theatre. The Merchant of Venice, adapted and directed by Ukrainian-born Jewish theatre artist Igor Golyak, relishes in unpacking the classical text and its contentious representation of Shylock (Richard Topol), the Jewish moneylender. The production features almost every trick in the book: puppets, projections, bubble machines, and a Groucho Marx nose for Shylock, who dons a cape and vampire teeth for most of the show. The result is nothing short of chaos.

While Shakespeare enthusiasts will recognize the scenes from the original text, Golyak heavily embellishes the classical language tonally, physically, and dramatically to critique the Bard’s portrayal of Shylock as the story's villain. Each character comments on their own participation in the plot, such that Shakespeare’s play takes on the shape and tone of a sitcom, but Golyak’s vision for Shylock sometimes gets muddied in the process.

Flipping between The Antonio Show, a contemporary-style talk show featuring the title character, Antonio (T. R. Knight), and a condensed version of Shakespeare’s play, the actors bring a truly impressive sharpness, commitment, and energy to the text, maintaining impossibly high stakes from beginning to end in true Shakespearean style. The one-page plot summary on offer upon entry to the theatre does little to illuminate what is going on, but perhaps this zingy production is best appreciated for its youth, irony, and momentum.

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The Merchant of Venice summary

Golyak's The Merchant of Venice follows Antonio, a talk-show host who restages the plot of Shakespeare's on air. As the tale goes, Antonio borrows money from the vengeful moneylender Shylock, and the consequences end in a courtroom drama over unpaid debt. The cast is led by Shakespeare veteran Richard Topol as Shylock and T.R. Knight as Antonio, and the show weaves the classical source material with a contemporary talk-show plot.

What to expect at The Merchant of Venice

The Merchant of Venice is 2 hours with no intermission. Golyak takes a bold approach to the text by scrutinizing Shakespeare's treatment of Shylock in a contemporary context. A mix of humor, Jewish song and dance, and theatrical spectacle alienate Shylock from the context of the play.

The line between performer and spectator blurs in moments like when a turkey meatball is handed to an audience member on a fork. The actors weave through the aisles, including the audience in the action at all times, particularly in the play's closing moments.

A one-page summary of Shakespeare’s original Merchant of Venice is provided upon entry.

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What audiences are saying about The Merchant of Venice

As of publication, Merchant of Venice received a 63% audience approval rating on the site Show-Score, compiled from 4 reviews.

  • “There were a lot of young people and it was energetic. This cast and this director! So funny-not like any Shakespeare I’ve seen before. Plus T.R. Knight💙. Definitely go!” - Show Score user Sassy
  • “I'm sure this over-the-top, gimmick-filled production will appeal to some viewers, but I wasn't one of them. The director uses every gimmick in the book (puppets, video taping, bubble machines, a Groucho Marx nose/mustache for Shylock, "boo" prompts for the audience when Shylock enters, added songs, etc). The verse is often incoherent, the story chopped up.” - Show-Score user TheaterBuff
  • “A total blast- great for young people - inventive, by Igor Golyak who never fails to surprise the audience.” - Show-Score user SSCTheater

Read more audience reviews of The Merchant of Venice on Show-Score.

Who should see The Merchant of Venice

  • See this production if you're a Shakespeare enthusiast, especially if The Merchant of Venice or his other problem plays intrigue you.
  • Fans of Richard Topol will appreciate his commanding performance, showcasing his talent for physical comedy.
  • This is a great watch for anyone interested in how a Jewish community reclaims and reinterprets a story often criticized for its anti-Semitic undertones.
  • You’ll enjoy The Merchant of Venice if you enjoy classical works reimagined with a modern twist while honoring their original essence.

Learn more about The Merchant of Venice off Broadway

The Merchant of Venice's playful spectacle sometimes overwhelms the deeper messages in the play, but it boldly reimagines the infamous character of Shylock.

Learn more about The Merchant of Venice on New York Theatre Guide. The Merchant of Venice is at The Lynn F. Angelson Theater through December 22.

Photo credit: The Merchant of Venice off Broadway. (Photos by Pavel Antonov)

Originally published on

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