Sullivan will sit down with Shakespeare Initiative director Barry Edelstein to discuss Sullivan's upcoming Shakespeare in the Park production of Merchant, which will star Al Pacino as Shylock. (The Shakespeare Initiative encompasses all of The Public Theater's Shakespeare-related programming, including the Shakespeare Lab, Shakespeare Lab, Jr., Summer Shake-Up and A Midsummer Day's Camp.)

The Shakespeare Salon is a series of conversations designed to give audiences intimate behind-the-scenes access to the actors, directors, composers, designers, and other artists who work to create Shakespeare on the stages of The Public Theater in New York City. The series launched in March with a conversation with Michael Greif, who will direct the upcoming The Winter's Tale.

Sullivan, a directorial stalwart of The Public Theater, most recently directed the 2009 Shakespeare in the Park production of Twelfth Night. Also at The Public, he has directed A Midsummer Night's Dream, Stuff Happens and The Merry Wives of Windsor. His Broadway credits include Rabbit Hole, Mauritius, Top Girls and Come Back, Little Sheba. His Broadway production of Donald Margulies' Time Stands Still closed March 28.

The upcoming Shakespeare in the Park summer season in Central Park will feature The Winter's Tale in addition to The Merchant of Venice, and the two Shakespeare plays will performed in repertory. Shakespeare in the Park will run June 9-Aug. 1.

The Shakespeare Salon will be held at Chinatown Brasserie, 380 Lafayette St. Admission is $25 and includes a complimentary glass of wine. To reserve tickets call (212) 539-8734 or email [email protected]. Reservations are encouraged, as space is limited.