Jack Rank

              194?

Figure

JACK RANK
The One-Man Theatre
A Great American Artist
Will Appear in
The Merchant of Venice
Auspices of
UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA, GENERAL EXTENSION DIVISION


As Shylock





As Portia

THE UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
General Extension Division
Presents
The Theatre of Jack Rank
In William Shakespeare's
The Merchant of Venice
One Man in his time plays many parts.  Jack Rank is the only actor in America who represents an entire play, himself, portraying all the parts, both male as well as female.

Jack Rank presents a complete evening of fascinating entertainment combined with his unusual artistry.  By his dramatic and imaginative characterizations, ingenious costume changes, phenomenal vocal equipment, he sweeps his audiences from the tragic to the ridiculous, from the romantic to the fantastic, with his own streamlined mono-dramatizations of Shakespearean classics.  In the past eight years he has presented over three thousand performances of his mono-dramas.

With lavish stage settings, unique lighting effects, beautiful costumes, he leaves the stage speaking lines of the current character, almost immediately re-entering by another door, and between exit and re-entrance, has changed costumes, make-up and assumed the perfect mannerisms, voice, and character of the next person in the play.  In The Merchant of Venice he makes twenty-seven costume changes.


As Bassanio





Press and Personal Comment
Unique and ingenious performance.—Haskell University, Lawrence, Kansas.

By far, the best outside attraction we have booked here at St. John's University for some time.—St. John's University, Collegeville, Minnesota.

Magical and unique performance.—West Denver High School, Denver, Colorado.

Jack Rank's versatility and ability in making the lightning changes of character were outstanding.—Omaha Technical High School, Omaha, Nebraska.

Our audience enjoyed it because of its uniqueness, originality and above all, dramatic artistry.—J. R. Pelsma, State Teachers College, Pittsburgh, Kansas.

The rapidity of costume change and the skillful handling of characters made the play move with a convincing and pleasant illusion.—University of Arkansas, Virgil L. Baker, Head Dept. of Speech, Fayettville, Ark.

We greatly enjoyed the play and marveled at Mr. Rank's ability.—Prin. L. R. Khite, Cheyenne, Wyoming.

November 3, 1941.

To My Fellow Principals:

Jack Rank presented the Merchant of Venice to the entire student body in the Henderson High School this morning.  The program was such a success that one of the parents visiting the program just could not believe (at first) that Jack was playing the part of Portia.

I have never seen our students receive any performance so well.  Mr. Rank is an unusually fine actor, and his stage settings and sound accompaniments add so very much to the play.

You will feel well repaid for any effort you make to have Jack Rank appear before your student body.—W. D. Payne, Principal, Henderson High School, Henderson, N. C.

Our audience liked Jack Rank.  He has a peculiar power all his own.—Rock Island, Illinois.

It seemed magical that the same man could leave the stage by one door and an instant later come out the other side in unruffled feminine attire or hideous rags.—Emporia Gazette, Emporia, Kansas.

October 9, 1941.

Jack Rank has a unique program, a classical program, a program that is perfect.  Don't pass him by.—Jerome A. Higgins, Derby High School, Derby, Conn.

November 6, 1941.

Jack Rank, the dramatist, gave a wonderful performance of 'The Taming of the Shrew' before our high school group.  It was well done, entertaining, and enlightening.  I recommend him to you.—John F. Donnelly, Principal, Central High School, Mooresville, N. C.

October 21, 1941.

This is just a note to reiterate our appreciation of the fine performance which you gave to our students yesterday.  Both faculty and students have made frequent comments as to your skill in drama and in character portrayal.  I think your program will go far towards encouraging high-class dramatics in our public schools.—Eric C. Malmquist, Principal, Norwalk High School, Norwalk, Conn.

October 22, 1941.

I wish to congratulate you on your splendid performance when you presented the 'Merchant of Venice' at our school last week.  I believe that you have aroused a great deal of interest on the part of the lower classmen who saw the performance.  It was a very difficult program for you to handle but the general concensus of opinion is that you gave a remarkable performance.—H. A. Swaffield, Principal, Roger Ludlowe High School, Fairfield, Conn.

September 26, 1940.

To Whom it May Concern:

Mr. Jack Rank presented the characters in costume of the 'Taming of the Shrew' to our student body today.  He portrayed these characters in a very interesting manner.  I know of no program of this type superior to this.  I would recommend him to any school for this type of program.—Fred Messenger, Principal, Muscatine High School, Muscatine, Iowa.




JACK RANK in The Merchant of Venice

Persons Represented

PROLOGUE
GRATIANO
A THIEF
A CITIZEN
A NUN
ANTONIO, a merchant of Venice
BASSANIO, his friend
LAUNCELOT GOBBO, a clown, servant to Shylock
SHYLOCK, a money lender
PORTIA, a rich lady of Belmont
A PRINCE OF MOROCCO
A PRINCE OF ARAGON
THE DUKE OF VENICE
AN EPILOGUE


ACT I. A Street in Venice
ACT II.

Scene 1. Portia's House in Belmont
Scene 2. Venice—a Street
Scene 3. Same as Scene I

ACT III. Venice. A Court of Justice

Costumes by Andre, Hollywood

Wigs by Max Factor, Hollywood

The entire play presented by a single actor, by means of countless quick changes of costume.  This is the fourth production produced by Mr. Rank who believes that his presentations run near the 3000 mark.



PRINTED IN U.S.A.

ANDERSON PRTG. CO. STREATOR. ILLINOIS