Word: bassanios
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...story concerns the attempt of Basanio (Steve Petersen), a young man of Venice, to court Portia (Cori Lynn Peterson), one of the most beautiful ladies in Italy. Because Bassanio has not yet come into his fortune, he must rely on the credit of his friend Antonio, the Merchant of Venice (David Gray...
...never hokey, and the audience feels the love that the two have for each other. As Portia, Peterson is the highlight of the show. Her role is difficult--she must move from a state of disillusion with her many uninspiring suitors to a state of elation upon seeing Bassanio as a new suitor. Peterson exhibits her acting ability most notably during her plea for Antonio--"The quality of mercy is not strained. It droppeth as the gentle rain from Heaven upon the place beneath." Peterson delivers this resonant monologue beautifully...
...MERCHANT of Venice is often a disturbing play for modern audiences, partly because of the overtones of morbidity and homosexuality in the friendship of Antonio and Bassanio, and partly because of the characters' anti-Semitism toward Shylock. The Currier House Drama Society production of Merchant tries to lessen audience anxiety by addressing these issues in novel ways and by taking advantage of opportunities for humor in what is, after all, supposed to be a comedy...
...original, Antonio and Bassanio have such extreme affection for each other that each is willing to offer up his life for the other without a second thought. Director Erik Salovaara makes this relationship less disquieting by changing Antonio into a woman, Antonia. Joanna Skoler's controlled performance and a few gender-altered pronouns smooth the transformation...
...various lovers in the play act like lovesick teenagers, comically defusing potentially tense moments. Portia (Alissa Reiner) and Nerissa (Beth Turner) giggle like schoolgirls at a slumber party while they make fun of Portia's suitors in words and gestures. Chris Duffy's Bassanio is always wide-eyed and bewildered, looking like a teen on a first date. While he declares his love to Portia, Nerissa and Gratiano (John C. Buten) make puppydog eyes at each other and blow kisses from opposite sides of the stage...