Imagine what it would have been like to see one of Shakespeare's plays for the first time as it was presented at the Globe on opening night – a play that would be studied, debated, loved, and performed for centuries to come. The Baltimore Shakespeare Factory (BSF) opens its 2015 season with the world's first modern Original Pronunciation (OP) production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice. Thanks to the modern Original Pronunciation initiative, we can finally hear what this play would have sounded like to their original audiences and to Shakespeare as he wrote it.

This tale features Shylock’s relentless pursuit of a pound of flesh from the merchant Antonio and the famous contest of the caskets where suitors compete for the hand of the beautiful Portia. This 400-year-old play supplies keen insight into themes that are painfully applicable to our world today.

BSF is honored to have the assistance of the world's foremost OP experts, British author David Crystal and his son, actor Ben Crystal, who is working one-on-one with the cast.

Free Saturday Pre-Show Lecture Series at 7 pm:
March 28 – Ben Crystal, British actor, author, producer and OP expert
April 4 – Tom Delise, BSF Artistic Director
April 11 – Dr. Robert S. Miola, Loyola University

The Great Hall at St. Mary's Community Center

3900 Roland Avenue

Baltimore, MD 21211

Pre-show begins 30 minutes prior to curtain. Come join us for contemporary music with show themes and other entertainment.
To purchase tickets, go to shakespearefactory.org