The Merchant of Venice

Daniel Sullivan's somber, supremely intelligent production—first seen this past summer in Central Park—is even more powerful the second time around. Al Pacino returns as victimized and vengeful moneylender Shylock, and Sullivan surrounds the star with a handful of dynamic performers. Chief among these is Lily Rabe as Portia, throwing off sparks of wit and sensuality, shadowed by moral doubts.—David Cote