Law and theater combine in third annual UnCommon Pleas event
April 7
Uncommon Pleas
PICT Classic theatre presents its third annual UnCommon Pleas event at 6 p.m. April 7 at the Duquesne Club, Pittsburgh, featuring cocktails, a three-course dinner and a legal theatrical event based on “The Merchant of Venice.”
Playing roles are: Stephanie Gill, vice president and general counsel of Consol Energy, as Portia; Bryan Kocher, senior counsel at Wesco, Inc., playing Antonio, the Merchant of Venice; and W. Thomas McGough Jr., executive vice president and chief legal officer of UPMC, as Shylock.
Shylock, a moneylender in 16th century Venice, insists that Antonio, the Merchant of Venice, part with a pound of his flesh as he promised to secure a loan now in default. The Merchant prepares for the knife, but then Portia appears in court, disguised as a man and pretending to be an expert on Venetian law. Can she save Antonio and turn the scales of justice against Shylock? Is Portia actually a villain defrauding the court and Shylock of his property? Is Shylock the victim of 16th century anti-Semitism?
These issues will play out before a lively panel of federal and state judges, who will hear the evidence presented by a distinguished cast as feisty advocates from local law firms argue the fate of the cast of characters.
Seating is limited.
Tickets are $225/person, or $160/person and $295/couple for members of the Arts & Law Committee, Homer S. Brown Division and Young Lawyers Division of the ACBA.
Tickets can be purchased by calling 412-561-6000 or online at picttheatre.org.