Bard's play 'Measures' up

Part dark and ominous drama and part broad, even slapstick, comedy, Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" is as relevant today as it was in 1604, maintains Todd McNerney, who will direct the production to be staged by the College of Charleston's department of theater.

"Not only does 'Measure for Measure' present some of the Bard's broadest humor, it also contains some of his most complex language," explains McNerney, chairman of the theater department.

The production is part of the college's Shakespeare Project, which was started 13 years ago and has produced 18 of Shakespeare's 37 plays to remind thespians of all ages the manner in which the playwright's work lives on and influences modern theater.

"In our modern world, we easily recognize the hypocrisy of our nation's elected officials and also that of religious figures who profess to hold rigid interpretations of the law, but then who abuse their power for their own sexual gains," McNerney says.

The director notes that, following "Troilus and Cressida" and "All's Well That Ends Well," "Measure for Measure" is the last of what often are referred to as "the problem plays."

"The term 'problem play' does not mean the works are flawed, but rather that they deal frankly and purposely with a social problem," says McNerney. "This term was actually coined in the late 1800s to refer to the new dramas by Ibsen, Shaw and others. In truth, contemporary audiences have grown to embrace Shakespeare's 'problem plays' more so than the audiences (of his time) may have because modern audiences seem more fully able to accept that life is a complex thing and that ambiguity and uneasy answers are less the exception and more the norm. Today, we also accept that things are not simply comic or serious, but can be blended. For example, the Showtime and CBS-TV hit series 'Dexter' helps illustrate that a story about a 'good guy' serial killer, who is very dark, very incongruent, is sometimes also very funny."

McNerney points out that the play's title reflects society's ongoing goal of maintaining a delicate balance, as the center of the play is the villain Angelo, the Duke of Vienna's proxy, who in his zeal to enforce the letter of the law loses sight of the spirit of the law.

The good Duke spends most of his time dressed as Friar Lodowick in order to observe what is happening in his absence. Unfailingly virtuous and kindhearted, he has tended to rule a little too softly, which is why he has enlisted Angelo's help in enforcing the law.

And then there is the torn Isabella, a novice nun who faces a difficult decision when her brother is sentenced to death for fornication. Chaste and virtuous, Isabella does not approve of her brother's actions, but she pleads for his life out of a belief the punishment is too harsh for the crime and because of her sisterly devotion.

Isabella's dilemma is that she must decide between sleeping with Angelo to save her brother's life and preserving her chastity.

Set in an ethereal visual universe that borrows elements of 15th-century England, China and Japan, "Measure for Measure" has scenery designed by Allen Lyndrup.

Costumes are by Janine McCabe and lighting by Paige Stanley. Stage-fight choreography is by Evan Parry, who is an acting professor at the college.

The cast of 28 characters includes several graduates of the college's theater program, current students and local actors. In starring roles are College of Charleston student Jessica McClellan as Isabella and local actor Paul Whitty as Angelo. Among others in the cast are Jamie Smithson, Samantha Church, Robbie Thomas, Olivia Isgett-Rubin, Tara Denton, David Moon, Carly Ridgeway and Lauren Riddle.

"Measure for Measure" will be performed in the Robinson Theatre, 54 St. Philip St., at 8 p.m. Thursday through Saturday as well as Aug. 28-30 and Sept. 1-2. Matinees are 3 p.m. Aug. 24 and 31. Tickets are $15 for the general public and $10 for senior citizens 60 and older, as well as College of Charleston students, faculty and staff. Following Thursday's performance, the audience may participate in "talkback" discussions with members of the cast and crew.

Tickets can be purchased at the box office from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday and one hour before curtain time, or reserved by calling 953-5604.

Reach Dottie Ashley at 937-5704 or dashley@postandcourier.com.