Something is rotten in the state of “Mark’s den.” (Yes, this is Mark’s den).

The character of Shylock, played by Mark Rose, comes from The Merchant of Venice, written somewhere between 1596 and 1598. In both stories, Shylock is a Jewish moneylender who loans a sum of money that must be paid.

Shylock in Something Rotten! is a Jewish moneylender who wants nothing more than to be considered a patron of the arts, but by law, can’t be considered an official investor. Regardless, he continues to help Nick because he can’t stand to be anywhere else besides the theater.

Coincidentally, Mark portrayed Brave Sir Robin in Hickory Theatre’s 2013 production of Monty Python’s Spamalot! and led the showstopper, “You won't succeed on Broadway if you don't have any Jews.” Now he’s playing one!

Mark Rose is a professional actor, singer/songwriter, a quintessential “Everything Artist,” and is no stranger to Hickory Theatre or Hickory Arts. Mark was last seen in the Jeffers Theatre as Lord Wessex in "Shakespeare In Love.” Rose served as a Producer to Music Director Jeff Hartman's Sound Operator with filmmaker Garrick Lane for VIMBY, a Mark Burnett co.—Survivor, Celebrity Apprentice.

#somethingrotten @hickorytheatre August 28-September 11 #kungfugripshakespeare @hickoryarts #everythingartist