Connecticut Critics Circle

Elm Shakespeare Company presents “Measure for Measure”

Directed by James Andreassi

16 Performances: Thursday, August 18th through Sunday, September 4th, 2011 Tuesday-Sunday @ 8:00pm Outdoor performances, Edgerton Park, 75 Cliff Street, New Haven, CT 06511, www.elmshakespeare.org

For its sixteenth summer season Elm Shakespeare Company presents “Measure for Measure”, a dark comedy that examines justice and mercy in a city saturated with moral decline and government corruption. In “Measure for Measure”, Shakespeare explores the shades of gray in all people. He weaves a tale of power, sex, morality and personal demons. Often dubbed a problem play because tragic results loom large, Shakespeare uses disguise, buffoonery and mercy measured against overzealous judgment, treachery and lust to bring this complex story to a happy yet ironic ending.

Set Design: Vladimir Shpitalnik

Lighting Design: Jamie Burnett

Costume Design: Elizabeth Bolster

Sound Engineer/Design: David Baker

Cast includes: Eric Martin Brown*, Matt Cohn, Jeremy Funke, Tracy Griswold*, Kerry Tattar, Colin Lane*, Richard Massery*, Aaron Moss*, Francesca Smith, Michael Smith*, Akintunde Sogunro, Vanessa Soto, Aleta Staton, Sarah Grace-Wilson* and Mark Zeisler*.

*denotes member of Actor's Equity.

Director James Andreassi comments that “Recent history is littered with the charred political careers of countless cads whose lust went unchecked; their behavior appalling perhaps, but not that surprising. One is left to wonder however, how these men with impeccable reputations, extraordinary individuals in so many ways, could succumb to such banal temptation. Shakespeare examines this theme in Measure for Measure with a plot lifted from contemporary headlines. A prominent civic leader with a reputation beyond reproach is unable to control his lascivious craving for an innocent young woman.”