The two works — starring the Academy Award winner — run in repertory at The Duke on 42nd Street. Darko Tresnjak directs Abraham as Shylock in The Merchant of Venice, which began previews Jan. 6 for a run through March 11. David Herskovits staged The Jew of Malta with the actor as Barabas, which runs through March 10. On opening night, The Jew of Malta performed at 2 PM and The Merchant of Venice at 7:30 PM.

Kate Forbes (All's Well That Ends Well, Sight Unseen) also stars as Portia in the Shakespeare and Bellamira in the Marlowe. The 14-member company also includes Kenajuan Bentley, Arnie Burton, Cameron Folmar, Ezra Knight, John Lavelle, Nicole Lowrance, Vince Nappo, Tom Nelis, Saxon Palmer, Matthew Schneck, Christen Simon and Marc Vietor.

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At left (from top): F. Murray Abraham and his wife, Kate; director Darko Tresnjak; John Lavelle and Christen Simon; director David Herskovits; Arne Burton and Saxon Palmer; Laila Robins and Kate Forbes; Kenajuan Bentley and Ezra Knight; Matthew Schneck and Nicole Lowrance; Eunice Wong and Chris Hedges.

photos by Aubrey Reuben