The Summer Shakespeare Festival closes its seventh season with a beautifully costumed and surprisingly funny production of “The Merchant of Venice”.  Who knew there were so many Christian comics in Venice?  No wonder non-believers were so anxious to convert.

The pound of flesh bargain is no joke but when the director chooses to lighten up so many of the characters and scenes, Shylock may turn into a melodramatic moneylender.

We do have some excellent performances on display.  Jack Lawton is believable as the sincere Bassaino.  Gratiano (Patrick A. Karjala) proves to be a true friend.  Fine voiced Robert St. John (Antonio) takes his character from confident to condemned with ease.  Shylock’s servant Lancelot (Todd Aquino-Michaels) and Jessica his daughter (Katherine Aumer-Ryan) as well as Jessica’s suitor Lorenzo (Jaeves Iha) do commendable work with the language and youthful qualities of their parts.

There is also a superb Shylock (Stephen Mead).  Spilling out his soul, he spit his lines with venom.  Just like Iago his hatred is almost unfathomable.  Like a dog with a “bond”, he hounds those who owe him.

There’s a pouting Portia (Danielle Vivarttas-Ahrnsbrak) and her sympathetic waiting–maid Nerissa (Brooke Jones).  A “what’s in the boxes” scene allows for plenty of stchick from D. Tafa’I Silipa (Morocco) and Mike Scott Robertson (Aragon).

The climatic court scene has Shylock knife-in-hand ready to collect.  Things look bad for Antonio until Portia disguised as a man is magically transformed into a wise and benevolent savior.  She outwits Shylock and insures his destruction.  One wonders where the quality of mercy has gone when it comes to the merchant’s fate.

But never mind, once he’s out of the way we’re back to fun and games.  I even imagined at the end the couples could have done a traditional Shakespearian jig for their bows.

My hat is off to The Summer Shakespeare Festival.  Having seen a number of the productions, I’m curious to know more about the actors.  My wish for season number eight would be a list of credits and bio’s for our players in the program.