Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Leo Goodman

Fun fact: Leo Goodman was the first actor we saw in the room for our Merchant of Venice auditions. What was it about him that appealed to us and kept him in our minds all the way through the audition process? Was it his ease of emotional range and depth as an actor? Was it his understanding of the text both intellectually and emphatically? Was it his natural warmth and openness as a person? You'll have to come and decide for yourself at Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice, opening December 14th!

Trick question: it was that 'light-up-the-room' smile.

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? And why?

LG:  Mine’s green, like trees and grass.  His is turquoise, like the ring his wife gave him before they were married.

HID: Shylock’s a centuries-old character who’s been played by countless huge stars. In the play version of your life, who do you picture playing Leo Goodman?

LG:  Hopefully anybody with a full head of hair, but probably Paul Giamatti. 

HID: If you and Shylock are going out for a business lunch, where are you going and why? How does the meeting play out?

LG:  A Kosher deli, because if you’re gonna get pastrami Kosher is just better.  It all falls off the rails when I accidentally let slip that I love bacon.

HID: Any parting thoughts about your experience playing Shylock? Any ways he’s different than you initially imagined?

LG:  I’d never actually read or seen the play before.  All I knew was the few lines that everybody knows (If you prick us, do we not bleed).  The big surprise was that aside from that one part the character is, at first glance, written almost entirely as both a stereotype and a villain. The challenge is playing away from that, making him more than just bloodthirsty.  Which isn’t to say bloodthirsty isn’t fun.

Speaking of thirst, come slate yours (for theatre, not for blood) with Leo (and the rest of the HIDiots) at Merchant of Venice. Opening soon, and opening impressively!

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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

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Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Emily Loewus

"Jessica" may not be the most Shakespearean name, but she's a very Shakespearean character. She's strong, eloquent, and very, very lovely. And, wouldn't you know it, Emily Loewus is all of those things too! Read all about her below, then come see her as Jessica in Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice. If you don't, its your loss; she'll still be up there exhibiting her amazingness!

Exhibit A. (The A stands for Amazing)

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? And why?

EL: I think both of our favorite colors are blue, but different shades. Mine is light, clear sky blue. Jessica loves royal blue. She likes the elegance and strength it conveys. 

HID: What’s the first thing Jessica wants to do when she’s out of her father’s house and able to experience the big, wide world?

EL: Go to Disney World! In all seriousness, Jessica does want to travel. She’s never left Venice, she’s never even seen the whole city. She wants to experience the world and meet new people, and do it all with her husband at her side.

HID: Jessica & Lorenzo are a pretty adventurous, romantic subplot. What’s the most romantic thing that’s happened in your life that you’re willing to tell us about?

EL: When my boyfriend and I hadn’t seen each other in four months when I was studying in London, he came over at the very end. He beat me to my flat that night, covered the whole place in roses and candles and waited for me to get home. Walking in to see everything decorated so beautifully and him there was pretty incredible.

HID: Jessica says Launcelot improved her living situation with her father. How exactly did he do that?

EL: He gave her something she never had – friendship. She loves her father, but she doesn’t have anyone around who she can be honest with and laugh with. Launcelot is the one person whom she can trust to be herself around and tell her secrets too. Everyone needs that.

Well said, Emily. Won't YOU come and befriend Emily (and the rest of the HIDiots) at #HIDMoV? It's a show full of love, laughter, & learning, and you'd be a fool to let it go! See you there!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Michael Satow

Antonio begins The Merchant of Venice with "In sooth, I know not why I am so sad". We go on to learn what might be making him sad, and how all of that plays out. But you know what makes Michael Satow sad? People missing out on this season's most hilarious & heart-breaking story! Don't be one of those people. Read all about Michael's process below, then come see it for yourself at Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice.

"In sooth, I am too sexy for my shirt"

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? Any why?

MS: I don’t know why, but I’m always a bit uncomfortable to say I think brown may be my favorite. Forest Brown? Like leathers, woods, etc. Antonio would probably agree. He most likely worked his way up from the shipyard. And also he has to do what I say.

HID: What does Antonio usually do to get himself out of a funk when he’s sad (and knows not why)? What do you, Michael, do?

MS: Antonio is really active about his sadness. He puts his mind to helping the person he loves. He’s not much of a “think things through” guy, he just kind of works off his impulses. Doesn’t always have the best results though.

As for me, coffee usually helps. If that doesn’t work I throw on Hamilton.

HID: Antonio really puts himself out there for his friend. Have you ever undergone a big risk to benefit a friend?

MS: I offered all my Republican friends to fill out their election ballots for them. None of them took me up on it, but it’s the thought that counts.

HID: What’s next for Antonio at the play’s end?

MS: (SPOILER ALERT) Antonio and Shylock get their own spin-off.

If you don't know the show, DON'T READ THAT SPOILER! If you do, it's a good idea, right? You'd watch it. Whether you do or you don't, this is one production of the Bard's most problematic play you won't want to miss. Join Michael, and all the HIDiots, at Merchant of Venice, opening December 14th!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Freddie Stevenson

Freddie Stevenson, at least in his Struts & Frets interview, is a man of few words. That's probably because he's used up all of his words being amazing, and now he's exhausted. Besides the four albums Freddie's put out, he's also an amazing addition to the cast of Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice. Check him out here, give his music a listen, then have your ears caressed in person on December 14th!

Feel free to caress your eyes with this in the meantime.
...that came our creepier than we intended.

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? Any why?

FS: My favorite color is green, like trees and broccoli and money. Tubal’s favorite color is green too.

HID: There are obviously some odd & obscure rules in the legislature of Venice. If you were Duke of New York City, what’s the first thing you’d change?

FS: I would make everybody pay a pound of flesh to rent their apartments. It would be less painless than the current deal.

HID: What’s Tubal’s favorite thing about Shylock? What makes them such close compatriots?

FS: Shylock is an honest man. He is only trying to ride the system as it stands. Hats off to him.

HID: What are the biggest similarities and differences between Tubal and the Duke?

FS: Tubal is powerful, but he thinks he’s powerless. The Duke is powerless, but he thinks he’s powerful. 

Can't wait for more? Well, you don't have to for long! See Freddie, and all the HIDiots, in Merchant of Venice, opening December 14th!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Mary McNulty

Don't let Mary's name fool you. She's in no way quite contrary, she doesn't have any kind of lamb, nor is she part of the interjection used to wish people happy holidays. But what she IS is our Portia! And what a Portia she is. This is a very coveted role within the Shakespearean canon, and Mary makes it all her own. Check out her words below, then her actions in Merchant of Venice.

And her headshot too, if you're into that kind of thing.
Which, let's face it,  you are. (Pun intended)

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? And why?

MM:  I actually do not have a favorite color. I tend to go through color "phases". I'm currently on a grey tweed kick. Although tweed isn't a color.... Portia's favorite color is a lovely rust red. It feels regal, yet down to earth.

HID: In what ways is Portia different than you’d imagined her before playing the part? In what ways is she exactly what you’d expected?

MM: I was surprised to discover how nerdy and relatable Portia is. She's smart, attractive, and witty but doesn't flaunt these attributes. Portia has an inherent sense of status and duty because of her upbringing, but she is not a conventional woman of society. She knows how a lady should behave, but often gets flustered and goes on nervous tangents. She speaks her mind, letting her true self shine through which is what makes her strong, grounded, and ultimately successful. Going into this role, I knew Portia was sympathetic, very gutsy and brave. I mean, she disguises herself as a guy, runs away with her maid and saves the men! I would totally be friends with this Shakespearean Superwoman!

HID: When someone finally chooses the right box, what will Portia’s wedding theme and colors be?

MM: There will be no theme other than "wedding" as Portia has had enough rules and stipulations surrounding her marriage (i.e. the choosing of boxes)! The color scheme would be grey, lavender, and a deep blue, I think.

HID: If someone had to choose the right box to marry you, Mary, what would the three boxes be and which would your portrait be in?

MM: Oh man. I'm so glad that choosing the box containing my picture is not how my marriage will be decided. But if it was, this is how it would be: The first box would be rustic and natural, carved from a tree. The second would be an Annie's cheddar bunnies box, and the third would be a blue Tiffany's box. I'd be in the wooden one. Unless I get hungry, in which case I'd eat all the cheddar bunnies and put my picture there. 

You heard it here, folks! Or...read it, anyway. We're sure you enjoyed it either way. And you know what you'll enjoy even more? Seeing Mary McNulty (and all the HIDiots) live in Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice! We open December 14th. See you there!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Samantha Maurice

If you could have any superpower, what would it be? If you're wise, it would be to turn into Samantha Maurice! But, for now, she's the only one, and she wields that extreme power very responsibly (most of the time). If you're not afraid of staring directly into the sun, check Sam out as Nerissa in Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice!

Is this a HIDiot I see before me?
*Warning: Do not try to clutch by the handle*

 
HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? And why?

SM: My favorite color is spring green. I think Nerissa's favorite color is like a magenta/fuchsia type of deep pinky-purple, although that might just be because I have found myself wearing a lot of pink while I'm rehearsing.

HID: You’re a regularly-occurring HIDiot. If all of the characters you’ve played in Hamlet Isn’t Dead shows got in a fight, who would win? How does Nerissa fare?

SM: Okay so we've got a cage match between Nerissa, Holofernes, Katherine, Queen Ellizabeth, Tamora, and Bianca. So, this is going to escalate quickly.

I think Nerissa, Bianca and Katherine all gang up on Queen Elizabeth, so she gets knocked out, but the three of them are just no match at all for Tamora. However, ultimate winner has to be Holofernes who everyone discounts, cuz y'know she's a myopic, asthmatic, knock-kneed nerd. But Holofernes gets the last laugh, after Tamora has brutally murdered Nerissa, Bianca and Katherine, Holofernes prays her inhaler into Tamora's eyes, and then confuses her by lisping mis-quoted Latin at her, until Tamora becomes so blind and mad at not being able to understand that she stabs herself. All hail Holofernes.

HID: Besides Bassanio, who’s Nerissa’s second choice for Portia? Either from the play itself or the rest of Shakespeare’s canon.

SM: I think Nerissa would much prefer if Portia married Antonio, cuz he got dat cash money son, and also he seems super distracted by Bassiano which means Nerissa would get to keep Portia pretty much to herself. Although, I will say, Nerissa herself has a soft spot for the French lord, Monsieur LeBon--he's sexy.

Outside of the play, I think she might try to set Portia up with King Lear--he's very old and he seems easily swayed, so we could easily swoop in there, get Lear to leave Portia everything in the will (two of his three daughters are awful anyway) and then bada bing bada boom Portia is queen of Britain. Awesome.

HID: Nerissa’s a big part of Portia’s wooing process. Have you ever had the opportunity to play match-maker in real life?

SM: I have never played match-maker consciously, however, I live with two couples who have been together for at least three years and I was present when both of the couples met each other for the first time, so I might be a bit of a good luck charm. 

With that kind of track record, you have no excuse not to come celebrate #HIDMoV with Samantha and the rest of the HIDiots! She'll be bringing life and love to the stage in Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice opening December 14th! See you there!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.

Struts & Frets: Interviews with the Cast & Crew of Merchant of Venice - Dylan Arredondo

It's the most wonderful time of the year! And by that, we mean time for more "Struts & Frets"! That's right, it's your favorite series of interviews with the best and brightest talents Hamlet Isn't Dead has to offer. Today's wonderful words have been offered up by none other than Dylan Arredondo, who plays Bassanio in our upcoming production of Merchant of Venice. Be warned: he plays #HIDMoV's romantic lead, and for good reason too! Check him out.

Are you a Star Trek? Cause that gaze is set to stun!

HID: First thing’s first: What’s your favorite color, and the favorite color of your character? And why?

DA: I like to think my favorite color is a crisp granny smith apple, but if I'm being honest with myself, it's black. I'm not quite sure why. It's kinda like a blank slate, but not as loud about it as white is. Noir -- it's classic, sophisticated, powerful. Other colors feel more empty and superficial or limiting, whereas black is so full of unknown things.
The Bassanio that starts the show is a man of excess and lavish; at risk of falling into stereotype, his favorite color might be gold or platinum. You'll have to see the show to find out if this Bassanio changes his favorite color by the end.

HID: We obviously loved your audition for Merchant. Can you tell us (and the readers) a little bit about it from your side?

DA: It was such a comfortable audition room, in terms of the friendly people in it, and such an uncomfortable audition room, in terms of the space itself. We auditioned in the Grand Hall of the Times Center, a monstrous ballroom that ate up my voices, my choices, and really threw me a curve ball. While trying to acclimate to the space as I was doing a prelim monologue from Love's Labour's Lost, I jostled up some words because of that split focus, which faltered my self-confidence a bit. So when y’all asked me to read the Bassanio side, I knew I had to go big or go home. And now we're here and that's how that story goes.

HID: Bassanio goes through a lot to end up with the love of his life. Has love ever caused you to do anything out of the ordinary?

DA: Gee, funny you should ask. One might say it has. It was nothing really. After winning a trip on a certain ship during a dockside card game, I spot a certain society girl on her way to Philadelphia to marry her rich snob fiancé. She feels hopelessly trapped by her situation and contemplates suicide on the aft deck until I rescue her. We dine in first class. We dance in third class. I sketch her nude. Suddenly, the ship collides with an iceberg and begins to sink. Following several obstacles, all lifeboats have departed by the time we get to the deck. We ride the ship into the freezing ocean. I help her onto a wooden panel buoyant enough for only one person -- debatably. And I sacrifice myself to save her. Some call it the greatest love story every told. But yeah, that's probably one of the more extraordinary things I've done in the name of love.

HID: Do you think Bassanio handles everything in this story as well as he could? Or would you have any advice for him if he were able to do it all over again?

DA: It is apparent to me that Bassanio is a charmer: he gauges a room, assesses who he's dealing with, and knows how to craft his persuasion to that person very intuitively. So in that sense, he handles people remarkably well. But the fact that this is so present in the text also says that Bassanio frequently gets himself into sticky situations, which is how that charm has become so seasoned. He's a smooth talker -- emphasis on "talker," which gets him into trouble. He lives beyond his means and loves grandly. But, as is typical of the adventure and impulsivity of youth, his primary focus is himself and what he wants and what others can do for him. But he is very generous of spirit, to the fault that it's difficult for him to look much farther beyond the present moment. My advice: be a little more considerate of others along the way, rather than after-the-fact or as a second thought. Take an extra second to look at the big picture.

What more is there to say, other than 'Don't get on a ship with Dylan Arredondo in 1912'? Well, you can come say it to his face and hear him say lots of things too at Hamlet Isn't Dead's Merchant of Venice, opening December 14th! Whatever you do, don't miss it!
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Tickets are available at http://hidmov.bpt.me -- ON SALE NOW! Shows run Dec. 14th - 17th.

For more information, you can visit http://www.hamletisntdead.com, and be sure to subscribe to our Mailing List while you're there.

If you haven't Liked us already on Facebook, now is the time! All the cool kids are doing it.
https://www.facebook.com/HamletIsntDead

If Twitter's more your speed, we have that too. We just want to please you any way we can. https://twitter.com/hamletisntdead

Or to see us in action, you can check us out (and subscribe, hint, hint) at https://www.youtube.com/user/hamletisntdead

Basically, if you want to follow us, you just put hamletisntdead after something. And why wouldn't you want to follow us?? We're a lot of fun, we promise.