The West Virginia University Division of Theatre and Dance will present William ShakespearesMeasure for MeasureDec. 2-10 at the Creative Arts Center.
The play about a corrupt governor who perverts justice to satisfy his own lust will be performed at 7:30 p.m. Dec. 2, 6, 7, 8 and 9 in the Gladys G. Davis Theatre. There will also be three matinee performances at 2 p.m. Dec. 3, 4 and 10.
Measure for Measureis one of Shakespeares tragic-comedies, orproblem comedies,as some have termed them. It comes from 1603 and is considered a great play and an unusual one, in the same mode asHamlet.
In the play, the Duke of Vienna is troubled by having to work with outdated and severe laws against unchaste behavior when they seem in conflict with his own sense of justice. He pretends to leave the country, but disguises himself as a friar so that he can manipulate events and also watch the actions of his stern deputy, Angelo. Following a series of machinations by the many characters in the play, the Duke reveals himself to complete an action of compassion and mercy.
Measure for Measurepresents problems for critics because it is not straightforward in its moral world of good and evil. Also, its subject matter is sufficiently dark for it to be seen as a tragedy, yet there are many comic characters and events.
Its title is taken from Matthew 7:1:Judge not that ye not be judgedand with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.
Shakespeare called this play a comedy,said guest director Nona Gerard, who currently teaches at Point Park College and the University of Pittsburgh and has been directing professionally for 18 years.
Contrasting the comedic line of action is the most present journey toward justice, and the needful reminder that hundreds of years after Shakespeare wrote this play, we still battle this idea of using might for might, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, and a measure for measure,she added.With rights come responsibilities, and law and order must steer us to nobler lives, not thrust us into a pit of hypocrisy.
Gerard said the play gives the WVU student actors and the audience the chance to examine several vital issues of importance, including moral attitudes, separation of church and state, love and lust, hypocrisy and power, the nature of man, honor, integrity, and the most lasting lesson of allmercy.
The Duke in the play is a wise soul, one that we can all learn a lesson from,she said.I would like to thank the Division of Theatre and Dance at WVU for a true collaboration of art and for the chance to do this intense work in an educational format.
Gerard earned her bachelors degree in theatre from Point Park College and her master of fine arts degree in acting from the University of Pittsburgh. She was a tenured associate professor of theater at Penn State Altoona for 16 years.
She is the recipient of several teaching awards and has been recognized as a Top 10 Pittsburgh actor and director by The Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. She can also be seen in the Universal Productions filmLorenzos Oil,the PBS documentaryPeople of the Ridge,and the independent filmsMiltons EyesandBecoming Rachel.
WVU students in the cast ofMeasure for Measureare Denice Burbach, Rodney Creech, Steven Gibbs, Matt Haught, Alexander Pawloski, Jon Redding, Brian Ruppenkamp, Jason Scott, Liza Skinner, Mary Spearen, Dan Stevens, Dan Stewart and J.W. Walton.
Designers include assistant professor of theatre Robert Klingelhoefer, sets; graduate student Lesley Sorenson, costumes; assistant professor of theatre Joshua Williamson and guest artist Michael Klaers, lighting; and student Sara Patterson, sound.
Technical director is assistant professor Joshua Frachiseur, stage manager is student Don Rebar, and dramaturg is assistant professor of theatre Jay Malarcher. Assistant lighting designer is student Paul Miller and assistant set designers are students Mary Taber and Danielle Nelson. Also returning as guest artist in the Costume Shop is Nicole Frachiseur, a cutter and draper from New York.
Klaers is making his first visit to WVU as guest artist. He has designed lighting at the Great Lakes Theatre Festival, the Idaho Shakespeare Festival, Shakespeare Festival St. Louis and Shakespeare Santa Cruz. He also designed theTriple Espresso: A Highly Caffeinated Comedy,which has played in more than 30 cities in the United States, Canada and Europe.
Measure for Measureis ratedRfor adult themes dealing with sexual and violent messages.
The Dec. 3 matinee performance will be interpreted for the hearing impaired. In addition, anUpfront&Backstagepre-show presentation will take place prior to the Dec. 4 matinee. This presentation, which begins at 12:30 p.m., will allow the audience to meet the people behind the scenes, tour backstage, and visit the shops where lighting, sound, scenery, props and costumes are created. The presentation will begin in the lobby of the Gladys G. Davis Theatre.
Tickets are $15 for the general public and $12 for WVU faculty and staff, senior citizens, students and children. For tickets or more information, call the Mountainlair and CAC box offices at (304) 293-SHOW.