The Cleveland Shakespeare Festival presents THE MERCHANT OF VENICE A free, outdoor production July 17 - Aug 2 Filled with contrasts and controversy, containing comic elements mixed with trenchant comment on the nature of intolerance, justice and forgiveness, this is a play not easily categorized. The merchant Antonio is approached for a loan by his dear friend Bassanio so that he may woo an heiress in another city. Antonio, cash-poor until his ships return from their trade route, in turn borrows from the moneylender Shylock, who sees in this arrangement the possibility to exact a gruesome revenge for the years of injustice he’s suffered at the hands of Antonio and the rest of the city. *All performances are at 7pm and are presented FREE OF CHARGE.* Please bring your own chairs or blankets. In case of inclement weather, check our site <http://www.cleveshakes.com> for news regarding alternate indoor locations. Friday, July 17 – PEACE Park, Coventry Neighborhood, Cleveland Heights <https://www.google.com/maps/place/2843+Washington+Blvd,+Cleveland+Heights,+OH+44118/@41.507852,-81.577974,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8830fc416c351809:0x40fe64d8132fecf2> Saturday, July 18 – Tri-C West Campus, Parma Heights <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Theatre,+Parma,+OH+44130/@41.36902,-81.766294,17z/data=!3m1!5s0x8830e9428a90fb7d:0xdafb690b6106e290!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x8830e9424b8df871:0x704397710180aef6!2sCuyahoga+Community+College!3b1!3m1!1s0x8830e9428a98dec3:0x953bf65375721bd8> Sunday, July 19 – Penitentiary Glen Nature Center, Kirtland <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Penitentiary+Glen+Reservation/@41.6108306,-81.3318271,363m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m2!3m1!1s0x8831a80aae231ccb:0xff2690e1a4193f7d> Friday, July 24 – Community Colonnade, Shaker Heights <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Shaker+Heights+Neighborhood/@41.4652137,-81.5650612,363m/data=!3m1!1e3!4m7!1m4!3m3!1s0x8830fcdb8d4c23db:0xd2c170dbd7470871!2sShaker+Heights+Public+Library!3b1!3m1!1s0x0000000000000000:0x8a96fea84289f13f> Saturday, July 25 – Lakewood Park, Lakewood <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lakewood+Park/@41.4945438,-81.7958096,17z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8830f23909bcfc7d:0x87a1fd4aac273221> Sunday, July 26 – The Grove Amphitheater, Mayfield Village <https://www.google.com/maps/place/The+Grove/@41.561149,-81.44091,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x88310127880e4c4f:0x750def3ed8011e87> Friday, July 31 – Notre Dame College, South Euclid <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Notre+Dame+College/@41.5073729,-81.5156324,19z/data=!4m2!3m1!1s0x8830fd8aa93786ff:0x29f4c270abb5efa6> Saturday, August 1 – Lincoln Park, Cleveland <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lincoln+Park/@41.478517,-81.690304,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8830faa0304001ed:0xc687825255a7f1a8> Sunday, August 2 – Lincoln Park, Cleveland <https://www.google.com/maps/place/Lincoln+Park/@41.478517,-81.690304,17z/data=!3m1!4b1!4m2!3m1!1s0x8830faa0304001ed:0xc687825255a7f1a8> More information available at www.cleveshakes.org *VOLUNTEERS NEEDED*: if you can assist us with distributing programs at performances, working at our merchandise table or posting publicity materials in your neighborhood, join the Bard Corps! <http://www.cleveshakes.com/?page_id=804>