In this scene from the Alcott Arts Center's production of Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Bassanio (Aaron Gotzon), with borrowed money, plans to woo the wealthy Portia. Gratiano (Khalid Johnson) implores Bassanio to allow him to come along.
"I am going to Belmont to woo my love, with a lot of borrowed money from my best friend [Antonio] who borrowed money from someone who wants to chop off pieces of him in return," explains Aaron Gotzon, who plays Bassanio. "But all that will be taken care of once I marry this rich woman and I am out of debt. And I don't want him (Gratiano) to screw it up. Somehow, I am under the delusion that he (Gratiano) is the crazy one."
"Through all the challenges this production has thrown at us, this cast has been extremely hard working, dedicated, and creative," says Anna Jennings, director of The Merchant of Venice. "They've been a wonderful group of people to work with and I couldn't ask for a better group of actors.
This marks the seventh time the Alcott Arts Center has presented "Shakespeare in the Parking Lot."
"With 'Shakespeare in the Parking Lot,' Alcott (the Alcott Arts Center) is giving actors, directors, and theater lovers a chance to be part of a wonderful Alcott tradition and experience classic theater," Jennings says.
The annual production usually takes place outside the Center's brick building, a former school in Kansas City, Kan. Due to weather concerns this year, "Shakespeare in the Parking Lot" will take place inside at the Alcott Theatre.
The Alcott Arts Center presents "Shakespeare in the Parking Lot" with William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice, Sept. 14, 15, 21,and 22, 2013 at 3 p.m., at the Alcott Arts Center, 180 South 18th Street, Kansas City, Kan. 913-233-2787.
Support for the "In This Scene..." series comes from the Missouri Arts Council, a state agency.
