William Shakespeare's The Merchant of Venice is the third main stage production of the University of the Fraser Valley theatre department's 2012/13 season.

This will be the second production by the department of this controversial work, the first being in March, 1991.

The play features three of Shakespeare's most memorable characters: Shylock, Portia and Antonio. The Merchant of Venice is a play of many threes: ladies, lovers, cultures, rings and wise questions, making it the perfect choice for the department's 33rd season of theatre. The play poses many questions: Where does love come from? Why do people of different races and religions distrust each other? What is the quality of mercy?

Director and department head Bruce Kirkley has assembled a talented cast and crew of UFV theatre students for this demanding production. Casting is as follows: Shylock will be played by Ron Jackson, who took the role of Stephano in the department's 2011 production of The Tempest; Antonio will be played by Gabriel Kirkley, who played Caliban in the same production; the role of Portia is taken by Rae MacEachern Eastwood, who has appeared in several roles in recent productions. Rachel Mah is Nerissa, Tim Howe is Gratiano, with Geneva Perkins as Salerio, Bethany Gasser as Balthazar, Dylan Coulter as Bassanio, Ashlyn Tegg as Salanio, Julian MacPherson as Lorenzo, Liam Archer as the Duke of Morroco, Danielle Warmenhoven as Jessica and Thomas Smith as Lancelot. Other performers, some playing multiple roles, include: Josh Tompke, Stephen Wilhite, Amanda Thiessen and Bertan and Sekan Baruh. Set design is by Astrid eugeling with costume design y Jaclyn Singh and lighting esign by Caitlin Archer. Sound esign is by Eli Funk, with props esign by Nichole Janisch. Stage anager is J.D Dueckman.

The Merchant of Venice opens March 8 at 7: 30 p.m. in the theatre on the Chilliwack North campus at the corner of Yale and Airport, with two halfprice previews March 6 and 7 and regular performances March 9, 15, 16, 21, 22 and 23. There are also matinees March 13 and 14 at noon and March 17 and 24 at 2 p.m. Ticket prices range between $10 and $22. The March 17 matinee performance is a paywhatyoucan event, with a recommended price of only $10.

? For tickets and information call 6047952814 or email theatre@ufv.ca or visit www. ufv.ca/theatre.