Janus Theatre puts on timely production of Shakespeare’s ‘The Merchant of Venice’
“If you prick us, do we not bleed? if you tickle us, do we not laugh? if you poison us, do we not die? and if you wrong us, shall we not revenge?”
Shylock's words may have been written in the 1590s, but they, like the play, still ring loud and clear in 2025.
Join Janus Theatre Company as it closes its 27th season with William Shakespeare’s compelling drama “The Merchant of Venice.” In a world where money rules, and men hold the power, your religion, race and gender can determine who wins and who loses.
It will open on Friday, Oct. 24, and continue until Nov. 9 at the Elgin Art Showcase, 164 Division St., eighth floor (accessible by elevator) in downtown Elgin.
This version of The Merchant of Venice is a streamlined production running 90 minutes with no intermission.
Director Sean Hargadon and company re-imagine Shakespeare’s comic-drama through a modern lens that question our own prejudices today.
The cast features Susan P. Anderson as Shylock. Anderson has worked with Janus Theatre Company twice before in “Men on Boats” and “Macbeth” while also working with Steel Beam Theatre, Artistic Home, Artists’ Ensemble and the Bailiwick, Goodman, Northlight and Chicago Dramatists theater.
Among the Janus Theatre Company core members are Jennifer Reeves Wilson playing the rich heiress Portia; Tiffany Jasinksi as Nerissa, Portia’s waiting maid; Aaron Hoge as Bassanio, Antonio's close friend; and Benedict L. Slabik II as Gratiano, a friend of Antonio and Bassanio.
Also in the cast are Dustin Ayers as Antonio, a wealthy and respected Venice merchant; and friends Alex Wisniewski as Solanio, Dan Stromquist as Salarino, and Matt Hellyer as Lorenzo. Tessa Dougherty is playing Jessica, Shylock’s daughter with Matt Johnson as servant Lancelot Gobbo, Paul Anderson as Shylock’s friend Tubal, and Stephen Pickering as the Duke of Venice.
This production is part of this year’s “Season of Outsiders” which features classic stories from the past brought to life for today’s audience. The production is sponsored in part by the City of Elgin and Elgin Cultural Arts Commission.
Performances are at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays. On Saturday, Oct. 25, it will be a matinee only performance at 2 p.m.
Tickets are $25 and available via janusplays.com or EventBrite.com. Seating is limited.
“The Merchant of Venice” is produced, adapted and directed by Sean Hargadon, with stage manager Tricia Miller Hewson and costumes by Tiffany Jasinski.
Janus Theatre Company’s season is sponsored in part by the Elgin Cultural Arts Commission and the City of Elgin.
Janus Theatre Company is an award-winning organization that has produced more than 115 productions since 1999. The company calls Elgin home, but has performed in Chicago, New York City and internationally. The company focuses on producing classic and contemporary works while exploring the actor/audience relationship inside unique spaces. The company is also an active Shakespeare producer and explores original practices by presenting them to contemporary audiences.