A measured success

Hearing the name William Shakespeare might be enough to scare off anyone from seeing a play after taking literature courses.\nFear not. The IU Department of Theatre and Drama’s production of “Measure for Measure” jumps far from the classroom and into a very entertaining night of theater. The fine-tuned acting skills of the 32-person cast make Shakespeare’s 17th Century words and wit easily understood.\nThe traditional five-act play, presented in two acts, opened Friday in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre to a packed house.\nMuch like another Shakespearean comedy, “Much Ado About Nothing,” there is a serious problem or conflict, deception and bouts of comedy that will make you laugh and forget those problems for a little while.\nThe central issue revolves around Claudio, played by MFA student Harper Jones, sentenced to death for having consensual premarital sex with his now pregnant fiance. This was a crime in England whenShakespeare was writing the play. Duke Vincentio, played expertly by guest actor David Alan Anderson, observes under the cover of a friar. He has relinquished control to Angelo, played by senior Dylan Marks, so that he doesn’t have to be the “bad guy” cleaning up the prostitute-ridden city.\nEnter the comedy. Entwined in the pursuit to end the “cleaning up” of the city and Claudio’s death sentence, Lucio, Pompey and Elbow, with different circumstances, penetrate the scenes. Lucio, played by junior Josh Hambrock, is a friend of Claudio’s who doesn’t seem to care much for the Duke, and that fact later lands him in a position he would not rather be in. Hambrock effectively plays the joke-filled go-between character as he tries to free his friend. He works to find Claudio’s sister, Isabella, played by graduate student Dawn Thomas, to help persuade the determined Angelo.\nElbow, played by sophomore Ryan Gohsman, is hilarious in the role of an over-excitable yet not-too-sharp constable as he tries to help clean up the city. Ultimately he is instrumental in helping to arrest a laid back pimp named Pompey, played by junior Steven Thomas, which leads to even more comedy within the jail as he sees many of his “friends.” \nWhen thinking of Shakespearean clothing, long dresses and elaborate suits come to mind, but a whole different collaboration of clothing by costume designer Angie Burkhardt is introduced in this play. Modern themes blend with old in this play. Black hoodie style jackets are mixed with traditional tail coats and black pants for the Duke’s attendants, and many themes run together to create the costume of Mistress Overdone, played by graduate student Allison Moody.\nOverall, the play, directed by Fontaine Syer, accomplished everything that would make Shakespeare smile. Wonderfully choreographed and expertly acted by all 32 members of the cast, this play is a delight to watch. It is recommended even for the “C” English student as a great way to understand Shakespeare and spend a night at the theater. \nMeasure for Measure will show at 7:30 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday at the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Tickets are $13 for IU students and $16 for the general public. Student rush tickets are available for $10 cash 30 minutes before the show starts. Visit www.theatre.indiana.edu for more information.