Eastside Students Present Merchant of Venice

Jan. 6, 2012 - PRLog -- The Merchant of Venice is considered one of Shakespeare’s comedies, although it explores some heavier themes such as mercy, the execution of the law, and Elizabethan attitudes of Christians and Jews towards one another. The plot involves a Venetian merchant, Bassanio, his friend Antonio, a Jewish money lender named Shylock, and Portia, a wealthy maiden from Belmont. Shylock’s devious maneuvering for a “pound of flesh” as a bond of payment for a borrowed sum of money has elevated him to the pinnacle of unforgettable villains in literature, although some view him as a compelling figure who shoulders the burden of an uncharitable Christian.

Bear Creek’s production is double-cast to allow more students to act in major roles and involves 20 scene changes. The Venetian setting is depicted by a beautiful mural painted on five 4’x8’ panels. Each panel rotates on its center axis to reveal Portia’s Belmont estate on the reverse side.

All performances are open to the public. Tickets ($5 individual or $10 for the whole family) may be purchased at the door. The Bear Creek School Cornerstone Theater, 8905 208th Ave NE, Redmond WA, 98053, 452-898-1720, http://www.tbcs.org

Performance Schedule
Thursday, January 12, 2012    Matinee Performance 4:00 p.m.
Thursday, January 12, 2012   Evening Performance 7:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14, 2012   Matinee Performance 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 14, 2012   Evening Performance 7:00 p.m.
   
Director—Dr. Ron Lynch, drama director at The Bear Creek School

Main Characters— in this production will be played by the following Bear Creek students:
Shylock: Jake Casale, junior, Redmond
Portia: Ellie Probus, senior, Sammamish
Antonio: Gabriel Wang, senior, Redmond and Connor Thomas, junior, Woodinville
Bassanio: Hanna Anderson, senior, Issaquah

Editor’s note - Media is invited to take photographs of the performance during an all-day dress rehearsal Saturday, January 7. To attend the dress rehearsal, contact Sini Fernandez at sfernandez@tbcs.org.

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The Bear Creek School, a leader in classical education for preschool - grade 12 in the Pacific Northwest, offers a rigorous college preparatory curriculum from a Christian worldview. The Bear Creek School challenges students to reach their intellectual, emotional and spiritual potential through academics, WIAA athletics, fine arts, community service programs and many other educational and social activities. The Bear Creek School’s curriculum includes AP and Honors classes in its Upper School program. Founded in 1988, the school serves students from the greater Eastside and is housed on three campuses. Redmond Campus on Union Hill serves kindergarten – grade 12 students and Valley Campus, also in Redmond, serves preschool – grade 5 students. Bear Creek has two Early Childhood campuses in Woodinville and Sammamish serving preschool and prekindergarten students.