BANGOR — The Penobscot Theatre Company and the Maine Shakespeare Festival are sponsoring a special 90-minute performance of Shakespeare’s “The Merchant of Venice” to raise money for the theater’s education programming. The performance, which has been traveling to middle and high schools statewide, will be held at 5 p.m. Saturday, March 27, at the Penobscot Theatre Company, 183 Main St.

In the past two years, PTC-MSF’s education programs have doubled. Additions include a full-scale Children’s Theatre production, touring Shakespeare workshops and most recently a touring Shakespearean production.

A combination of school funding, foundation grants, local business donations as well as the support of some generous individuals has paid for workshops and performances thus far.

Tickets for the show are $25. For information or to reserve a seat, call 947-6618.