High Stakes and Shakespeare Collide in Fort Bend Libraries’ 2025 Festival: 'The Merchant of Venice – Vegas Edition'
Deception is the currency. Love is the jackpot. And justice? It’s always a roll of the dice. That’s the energy behind this year’s Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival, where Fort Bend County Libraries will present a dazzling reimagining of The Merchant of Venice—Vegas-style.
This year's production, “The Merchant of Venice: Vegas Edition,” transforms Shakespeare’s complex tale into a 1950s Las Vegas drama, where fortunes shift as quickly as the spinning roulette wheel. Partnering once again with The Live Oak Playhouse, the festival returns to George Memorial Library’s Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater for four evening performances on Fridays and Saturdays, October 17, 18, 24, and 25, beginning at 7:30 p.m. Pre-show entertainment kicks off at 7:00 p.m. each night.
Shakespeare Like You've Never Seen It
Set beneath the smoky lounges and bright neon lights of the legendary Sin-City Strip, this adaptation brings new life to one of Shakespeare’s most debated works. The classic story follows Antonio, now a slick casino boss, who risks everything for his friend Bassanio and strikes a dangerous deal with Shylock, a ruthless moneylender with desert-dry terms and a bone to pick.
Meanwhile, heiress Portia swaps her ballroom gowns for sharp Italian tweed as she navigates the high-stakes world of Las Vegas justice, delivering one of Shakespeare’s most famous courtroom scenes with a twist that leaves audiences reeling.
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The play defies traditional genre labels—it’s not quite a comedy, tragedy, romance, or history. Often classified as a “problem play,” The Merchant of Venice raises more questions than it answers. This year’s festival embraces that ambiguity, presenting the story as a “tragi-comedy” where each character’s fate hangs on a single hand.
Directed by a True Bardolater
The performance is directed by Joseph “Chepe” Lockett, a seasoned artist with a deep affection for Shakespeare’s works. Lockett has acted in or directed 25 of Shakespeare’s 38 plays and brings his creative vision to this inventive production with support from The Live Oak Playhouse—a nonprofit community theater group based in Missouri City. The group is committed to providing enriching, thought-provoking performances and educational opportunities for audiences of all ages.
A Community Tradition with Statewide Appeal
The Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival has long been a cultural highlight for Fort Bend County Libraries. From its debut in 1987 through 2005, the event introduced thousands of families to Shakespeare’s works in fresh, accessible formats. It drew visitors from across the state of Texas, becoming a beloved tradition for theater lovers of all ages.
After nearly two decades on hiatus, the festival made a triumphant return in 2024 with a lively staging of Twelfth Night—again in partnership with The Live Oak Playhouse. Now in its second revival year, the festival continues to build a new generation of Shakespeare enthusiasts.
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“We are very excited to be able to offer the Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival to the community,” said Library Director Roosevelt Weeks. “Many people received their first introduction to the works of William Shakespeare at the library’s Shakespeare-by-the-Book performances. We hope those same theatergoers will now return with their families for this new chapter of the festival.”
The 2025 Shakespeare-by-the-Book Festival is generously supported by the Friends of the George Memorial Library.
What to Know Before You Go
- Performance Dates: October 17, 18, 24, and 25
- Time: Pre-show entertainment at 7:00 p.m.; performance begins at 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Jodie E. Stavinoha Amphitheater at George Memorial Library, 1001 Golfview, Richmond, TX
- Seating: Outdoor concrete seating – bring stadium cushions or seats for comfort
- Lawn Chairs: Allowed in two designated rows only (first-come, first-served)
- Water: Bottled water permitted; water fountains and restrooms available inside the Bohachevsky Gallery
- Prohibited Items: Glass bottles and alcoholic beverages are not allowed
For more information, visit fortbend.lib.tx.us or contact the Fort Bend County Libraries Communications Office at 281-633-4734.
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Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
