By Andrew R. Heinze
Directed by Jamison Meyer
Will the real Shylock please stand up? Who played him? Why did Shakespeare invent him? History doesn’t say. So . . . London, 1598. Twenty-one-year-old Will Hatcher, Shakespeare’s beloved protégé, has been cast to play a Jew called Shylock. With two days till the play opens, Will struggles over this character who seems more monster than man. He pleads with Shakespeare to revise Shylock. Why? He is in love with Sosannah Lopez, a converso whose family remains proud of its Jewish ancestry. Complications abound, as comedy and drama propel us through a story of forbidden love.
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Cast
Will Hatcher – Nathan Evans
William Shakespeare – Michael Schumacher
Sosannah Lopez – Christine Lilly
Rob Hodges – Jack Brunswick
Elizabeth Wittlesly/Dark Lady/madam Lopez – Shanna Camacho
Sarah Lopez – Madison Wells
Rich/sir Lopez – Matt Lindsay
Rodge – Matt Poliachik
About the Playwright
Andrew R. Heinze’s credits include the full-length plays GREAT ROLES FOR OLD ACTRESSES (excerpted in Best Women’s Monologues of 2019 and The Best Women’s Monologues from New Plays, 2019); THE INVENTION OF THE LIVING ROOM (Winner, Texas NonProfit Theatres’ 2014 POPS! New Play Competition; Finalist, First Runner-Up, 2012 Blue Ink Playwriting Award); MOSES, THE AUTHOR (2014 New York International Fringe Festival & Fringe Encore Selection); HAMILTON – a tragedy about Alexander Hamilton and his son (Semi-Finalist, 2012 O’Neill, National Playwrights Conference; Finalist, 2012 T. Schreiber Studio New Works Project); and DELETING DAD (Winner, Texas NonProfit Theatres’ 2016 POPS! New Play Competition).
Andrew’s award-winning one-act plays include the comedies THE FQ (about obscenity and cable TV), published in Smith & Kraus’s The Best Ten-Minute Plays, 2011 and THE BAR MITZVAH OF JESUS GOLDFARB (Winner, “Judges’ Choice” and “Audience Choice,” Best Play, New York City 15-Minute Play Festival; Finalist, 2018 National Award for Short Playwriting).
Formerly a professor of American History and non-fiction author, Andrew’s books include JEWS AND THE AMERICAN SOUL (Publishers’ Weekly choice: “Best Books of 2004”).
Andrew is Resident Dramaturg of the American Renaissance Theater Company (NYC), and a member of both the Dramatists Guild of America and PEN. Website: andrewheinze.com
Cast Bios
Jack Brunswick plays the role of Rob in Shylock the First. Jack currently attends Ohio State University, where he studies Computer Science. Prior to Shylock, Jack has performed in the Beavercreek High School productions of Peter and the Starcatcher, and The Mouse that Roared. This is his first time performing with the Dayton Playhouse. Additionally, he plays the part of Bodhi in Otis, another play being produced as a part of Future Fest.
Shanna Camacho is honored to be portraying Elizabeth, Madam Lopez, and the Dark Lady in Shylock the First. She is always excited to be involved in FutureFest and is thrilled to be back on the Playhouse Stage. Enjoy the festival!
Nathan Evans – Nathan, Originally from Dayton, has been living in Atlanta, GA for the past 10 years, performing in both theatre and film. Classical training at Shakespeare & Co. in the Berkshires gave him a renewed love for all things Shakespeare and is thrilled to be cast as Will Hatcher in Shylock the First.
Christine Lilly – (Sosannah Lopez) – is thrilled to be making her debut with Dayton Playhouse. Favorite Credits include All the King’s Women with Greater Hamilton Civic Theatre, and Thoroughly Modern Millie with Loveland Stage Company. She would like to thank the cast and director of Shylock for such an incredible experience, as well as her fiancé Ryan for his endless love and support.
Matt Lindsay loves the work-shoppy, boot-strappy vibe of FutureFest so much that this is his fifth time in a FutureFest Play. He also volunteers with the FF First Reading committee and serves on the DPL Board of Directors. Much love to Karen, who makes all this possible.
Jamison Meyer is excited to be involved in Future Fest for the third time, his first time directing. He is so proud of his amazing cast! He would like to thank his fiancé Jarred Stamper for always supporting his love of theatre.
Matt Poliachik – Rodge – Is delighted to take part in his first FutureFest, after previously appearing in One Christmas Eve at Evergreen Mall in December 2020. A recent graduate of Sinclair Theatre and Dance, some of Matt’s favorite credits have been SLUT: The Play (Tim), Treasure Island (Rathbone), Fiddler on the Roof (Bottle Dancer) and The Adventures of Tom Sawyer (Tom Sawyer). Matt will be moving to New York City in January 2022, to begin life as a NYC actor.
Michael Shumacher is proud to be making his return to Dayton Playhouse and FutureFest. He is no stranger to the stage having performed in numerous productions throughout Ohio. Some of his other credits include shows such as Hallelujah Girls, Rumors, Proof, And Then There Were None, The Laramie Project, Merry Wives of Windsor, and Mousetrap. When not on stage he is a licensed massage therapist.
Madison Wells is excited to make her FutureFest Debut at the Dayton Playhouse! In her theatre life of Shylock the First, she portrays Sarah Lopez. In her daily life, she portrays a teacher. She was last seen in Troy Civic Theatre’s production of The Hallelujah Girls as Crystal Hart. Other credits include the Madison County Art Council’s production of The Pajama Game (Gladys), Seussical: The Musical (Bird Girl) and Shrek: The Musical (Tap Rat/Blind Mouse).
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