Merchant of Venice - First Folio Theatre, Oak Brook, IL

In 1997 we stumbled upon a new theater company doing outdoor summer theater in Oakbrook, IL, a community not too far north of where we live.  Their inaugural play that year was “The Tempest” and since it was close, we had not seen it and of course because it was the Bard, we went.  As I recall David Darlow, a veteran Chicago stage actor played Prospero.  The theater area was located on the grounds of the Mayslake Peabody Estate which was owned by the Dupage Forest Preserve.  The Artistic Director of this new theater was Alison Vesely, an actor who we had seen before most notably with the Footsteps Theater, an all female theater group based in Chicago, known for performing all female productions of Shakespeare’s works.  (We saw their wonderful production of Richard III some time previously)

Needless to say we were excited to go.  We went and had a great time.  We enjoyed the show and have continued to go back since that time.  Although we haven’t made it every year, we have managed to see the Scottish play and several others.  We were able to arrange a Bard brigade group to see Hamlet (A Bard brigade is our name for corralling a group of friends together to go see a play).  The theater expanded its repertoire beyond outdoor summer theater a few years ago and we saw one of their Jeeves productions (quite a fun production I might say).  They now operate year round with not one but two performing spaces within the building on the grounds. 

But they have continued with the summer Shakespeare.  It’s still close, it’s still reasonably priced and it’s still the Bard, so off we went yet again.  This year it was to enjoy The Merchant of Venice, a rather problematic “comedy” in the canon.

Antonio is in love and needs money to win the hand of the girl he loves (Portia).  Antonio’s rich friend, Bassanio, agrees to loan him the money, but unfortunately he has a cash flow problem.  No problem, he will borrow the money temporarily from Shylock, a money lender in the town who happens to be Jewish.  Shylock and Bassanio are not exactly friends; in fact it seems Shylock has few if any friends, just a daughter.  Shylock however is a businessman so he agrees to loan the money to Bassanio with the collateral being a “pound of flesh” should Bassanio not be able to pay back.  As things happen, Bassanio’s ships don’t come in so he has no money to pay back Shylock.  Shylock’s daughter takes off with a Christian, leaving Shylock even more bitter at his treatment at the hands of the likes of Bassanio.  Shylock wants his pound of flesh from Bassanio and he is determined to get it.  Does he get it?  Well, just on the off hand chance that the reader has not seen the play I won’t give away the end.  See the play!

First Folio does a wonderful job with this production.  Kevin McKillip, who we have seen in several productions here, is tremendous as the first love-struck, then thunder-struck Bassanio.  No sooner does he win the girl of his dreams he learns his closest friend is in mortal danger!  Michael Goldberg brings a very physical presence (he’s much physically larger than most of the other actors) to his character Shylock. He does a great job bringing a sense of believability to his fury against Anthonio.  Melanie Kellar as Portia seemed to have fun in the role.  Overall the play was quite enjoyable, despite its arbitrary designation as a “comedy.”

 The First Folio theater experience is the classic picnic before the play setting.  The actual seating area can get a bit crowded when all the tables and wine and cheese are spread out however.  Seating is first come, first served.  If you go, plan to arrive at least an hour early.  It’s bring your own food (and bottle if you so choose).  Spread out, enjoy your meal, and then sit back and enjoy the play.  The seating area is level and the stage itself is elevated.  Occasionally a plane goes overhead, but it’s much rarer now than it was when the theater first started in the late 90s. 

 First Folio has a website (www.firstfolio.org) where information is available for upcoming plays for their season.  Next year they will be doing Cymbeline! A “Folk Tale with Music” they are calling it.  We’re planning on going.  I hope you do to.  Just don’t take our space.