THE MERCHANT OF VENICE at the Broadhuirst Theatre

(Seen 11/26/10)

The short move from Central Park to West 44th Street has only enhanced all the fine attributes demonstrated last summer in this astute and accessible version of THE MERCHANT OF VENICE. Credit director Daniel Sullivan and designer Mark Wendland for this successful transfer from an outdoor amphitheatre to the more intimate space at the Broadhurst.

It was a rare and exhilarating experience outdoors, despite ambient New York sound and bad acoustics. These minor obstacles are gone, and there is a more physical focus that now rivets your attention in so many of the intimate scenes.

Al Pacino, whose earlier performance was rich and flawless in its intensity, sensitiiivity, and humanity somehow seems to have reached even greater depth and meaning in his superb creation of Shylock as a believable and vulnerable human being.

The tricky set design carries the actions forward seamlessly and almost cinematically, without losing focus on the interactions of these varied social, political, and religious undertones. And Sullivan's added scene showing Shylock's further abasement at the hands of Portia and her entourage is even more riveting, while Pacino tries to salvage some personal dignity.

The ensemble cast truly serves the play rather than themselves. And it's a not-to-be-missed creation by Pacino.