Scotts Valley Performing Arts will be producing The Trader From Tau Cetium, Formerly Known as The Merchant of Venice, for its Youth Shakespeare Program this June. The play is an original adaptation by local resident Trish Black Melehan, who has directed and published several Shakespeare adaptations for young performers. The play will be true to the original language, plot and themes of The Merchant of Venice, considered by many to be one of Shakespeare's seven best plays. Instead of being set in Renaissance Venice, however, this adaptation places the action in a parallel universe. In the planetary system revolving around the star Tau Ceti, there exists a city where the inhabitants speak a language    closely akin to our own. Some might call it "Elizabethan English". These inhabitants are also very closely related to the human species, with similar pleasures, passions, and imperfections. Young actors will enjoy the opportunity to develop Elizabethan costumes "with a twist" to denote otherworldly, space/time travel, possibilities.  The play will include music and exciting special effects.


Auditions for actors between the ages of 10 and 18+ will be held on April 13th and April 16th at St. Philips the Apostle Episcopal Church in Scotts Valley.   All actors will participate in an educational workshop exploring the life and work of Shakespeare as well as the historical and literary significance of The Merchant of Venice.   The play will run at the newly renovated Bethany University Theater from June 13 to June 22.  For more information, email productions@svpaa.org.