2012-13 Show Photos

Anthony Stoeckert writes for the CentralJersey Princeton Packet TimeOff entertainment section:

SHYLOCK is probably Shakespeare’s most troublesome, and troubling character, but George Hartpence has risen to the challenge of playing the Jewish moneylender in the striking production of The Merchant of Venice being presented by Actors’ NET of Bucks County in Morrisville, Pa., through June 13.

In Mr. Hartpence’s hands, Shylock is smart, funny, vengeful, greedy and heartbreakingly human.

With Cheryl Doyle directing, the courtroom scene is one of the best in the play, though it’s troubling.  Shylock’s evilness is on full display as he demands that pound of flesh — even doubling his money doesn’t satisfy him.  … Shylock is wrong to demand his pound of flesh (though the law must take some of the blame for recognizing this bond), but after Shylock is cleverly defeated, he is forced to give up his heritage and become a Christian.  This results in the play’s most powerful moment, and a brilliant breakdown by Mr. Hartpence.  But at the same time, the scene made me squirm, because the play’s heroes, led by Antonio, pile insults and hurts on Shylock to the point where I felt like I was watching a schoolyard bullying.

Gina Vitolo-Stevens writes for Stage Magazine:

The most jarring moment of the play is the animalistic cry from Hartpence when his Shylock must surrender all that gives him life.  Portia has him remove his yarmulke and he crumples to the floor.  It’s one of the most moving few seconds to uncomfortably sit through.  It’s his surrender of soul that each person in the audience can palpably feel when you hear his muffled cry.

see both full reviews below, as well as two promotional articles for this production

Bob Brown for the Princeton Packet TimeOff entertainment section writes:

A delightful evening in an intimate setting with superb performances

Walter Bender for Stage Magazine writes:

There are times when being a reviewer can be a complete pleasure…we so often look at a play with a critical eye, seeing the blemishes in a production, and so rarely can just sit back and be entertained.  I had the exception on Saturday night, when I went to Actors’NET of Bucks County to see their production of ENCHANTED APRIL.

see the full reviews below: