Stewart just recently wrapped up work in the David Mamet play ‘A Life in the Theatre’, where he worked alongside T.R. Knight. A multi-time acclaimed actor, Sir Patrick has earned honors from the Olivier Awards and the Tony Awards for his performances in various productions, such as in Broadway’s ‘The Ride Down Mt. Morgan’, ‘The Caretaker’, ‘The Tempest’, a solo-act performance in ‘A Christmas Carol’, the 2009 West End staging of ‘Waiting for Godot’ alongside Sir Ian McKellen, and the Rupert Goold-helmed Broadway revival of ‘Macbeth’ in 2008.

His upcoming performance in ‘Venice’ won’t be his first work for the Royal Shakespeare Company, as he had previously appeared in the company’s showcase of ‘Hamlet’, where his astounding performance as both Claudius and The Ghost won him an Olivier Award. The role of Shylock is no new territory for him either, apart from playing the role in the 1978 production, he wrote and starred in the monologue ‘Shylock: Shakespeare’s Alien’, a show that presents audiences with a different and interesting perspective of “one of the most commonly reviled characters in Shakespeare”, as the actor puts it.

At present, the Broadway mounting of ‘The Merchant of Venice’, presented by the Public Theatre, is creating buzz thanks to Al Pacino’s impressive performance as Shylock. Rumor also has it that Pacino might tag along for the production’s transfer across the pond next year.

“The Merchant of Venice” tells the story of revenge, forgiveness, betrayal and love. In the play Shylock, a Jewish moneylender, loams money to a Christian merchant named Antonio. The loan contract, which is full of prejudice and centers around the infamous phrase in the play “pound of flesh,” carries the men as well as everyone around them into chaos. The only who is able to imagine how to go forward is the insightful Portia. However for her and her loved ones, there are limits to mercy.

The Broadway cast is led by Pacino in the role of Shylock, while Portia is played by Lily Rabe. Also included in the cast are Seth Numrich, Richard Topol, Marsha Stephanie Blake, Charles Kimbrough, Matthew Rauch, Heather Lind, Gerry Bamman, Byron Jennings, Christopher Fitzgerald, David Harbour and Jesse L. Martin.

The limited engagement of the production on Broadway is set to end January 9, 2011.

The extension is more of a second leg than a stretch. A three-week hiatus will be in effect after the January 9 performance to give way to Al Pacino’s previous work commitments. Pacino portrays the story’s most famous character, Shylock, whose infamous lines had become a staple subject in the realm of theatrical and literary critique. Lily Rabe also stars in this production as Portia.

After the break, the play will resume performances in its Great White Way home at the Broadhurst Theatre on February 1, 2011. The Daniel Sullivan-helmed play is one of this season’s most bankable Broadway productions, playing to a sold-out crowd eight times a week since its premiere last month.

‘The Merchant of Venice’ is presented by the Public Theatre, Jeffrey Richards and Jerry Frankel.

“The Merchant of Venice,” considered to be one of the most controversial and thrilling plays from Shakespeare, tells the story of betrayal, love, revenge and forgiveness. Jewish moneylender Shylock loans money to the Christian merchant Antonio, with the loan contracted being full of prejudice and much of the action centered around the infamous saying “pound of flesh.” Everyone involved gets swept into a world of chaos, with Portia being the only insightful one who can see a way forward. However, even for her and her loved ones, there are limits to their mercy.

“The Merchant of Venice” features original music from Dan Moses Schreier, sound design from Acme Sound Partners, lighting design from Kenneth Posner, costume design from Jess Goldstein and scenic design from Mark Wendland.

The limited engagement of the Shakespearean classic will be housed at the Broadhurst Theatre starting on October 19, when preview performances commence. It is already set for a November 7 premiere with a closing date penciled in for January 9, 2011. The Academy Award winning actor will only be appearing in 78 performances, while other casting details are still being drawn up.

‘Venice’ is considered as one of Shakespeare’s most riveting plays. Having been built up on the age-old irreconcilable differences between Christians and Jews, this literary masterpiece remains both timeless and timely, not only for being religiously, politically and socially controversial, but also because of its storyline revolving around revenge and deceit and the universal messages of love and forgiveness.

For its Broadway transfer, the show will bring in the following creative heads to re-capture the emotions and essence of this Shakespearean classic: Daniel Sullivan for direction, Dan Moses Schreier for original score, Mark Wendland for set design, Jess Goldstein for costume design, Kenneth Posner for lighting design, and Acme Sound Partners for sound design.

On Monday, Public Theater announced that after their eight week run in Delacorte Theater in Central Park, that Pacino and company would be moving this fall to Broadway, where Pacino will star in the Shakespearean comedy as Shylock.

The production will open at Broadhurst Theatre on October 19 and run through January 9. Additional casting announcements were not made.

Currently, the production also stars Byron Jennings, Lily Rabe and Jesse Tyler Ferguson.

Daniel Sullivan will direct and producers are Jerry Frankel, Jeffrey Richards and the Public Theater.