Once again Orlando Shakes delivered a well put together show.  Inspired sets, colorful costumes and top notch performances are a consistent theme with this troupe.  Unfortunately this time, the noteworthy highlights were  few in number.   I always hope to convince  Orlandoians to give Shakespeare a try, fully convinced this company will turn the jaded into fans of the bard.  This time around I would advise against dipping your toe with this show.  Recommended  only for the indoctrinated as it was a serious interpretation and frankly, overall a flat performance.  I can hardly believe it was directed by Jim Helsinger, lacking his trademark slapstick-y comedy and lightheartedness.

A late 19^th century setting provided the apropos backdrop for charming costumes of top hats, tails and canes all of which were done with tasteful simplicity.  The manifold colors worn by the gentiles effectively contrasted with the drab gabardine worn by the Jews and spoke volumes about the central theme of inequality.

It appeared a conscious directorial effort for a straightforward,  introspective tone with this version.  His approached seemed to walk the line between both the anti-semitic and the sympathetic interpretation of this work. Choosing to avoid any attempt to turn Shylock into a laughable comedic character, instead it seemed Jim wanted to emphasize the pitiable vengeful nature of the perpetually persecuted and at the same time expose the ugly underbelly of bigotry that continues into the 21^st century. Very admirable, but not quite the cast to pull it off.

Joe Vincent played the role of Shylock, and along with perennial favorite Steven Patterson as Antonio were superb and clearly the driving force behind this performance.   I, at first, struggled with Marni Pennings rendition of Portia who I feel is one of Shakespeare’s  most enlightened female characters.  Marni lacked the youthful naiveté that makes Portia’s courtroom scene so shockingly intelligent.   However as the play wound to a close, I felt that Marni delivered as the clever lawyer, her worldliness apparent, as she led us down the path toward Shylocks ruin.

If you are already a fan of this work and wish only to experience another interpretation; and If like me, you believe every Shakespeare play is a must see,  then rest assured it was worth the time.