Measure for Measure

Shakespeare, a sex ballet and Metallica– sounds like any other day for the IU Department of Theatre and Drama and its latest production of William Shakespeare’s “Measure For Measure,” which will open at 7:30 p.m. Friday in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre.\nThe play, which has been revamped and restructured for a college audience, will present a new spin on this classic Elizabethan tale. \n“Measure For Measure” opens with the Duke of Vienna, played by guest artist David Alan Anderson, making his way through Vienna. While doing so, he comes across acts of sexual perversity, a result of his lax law enforcement. He insists that he must leave the city, and calls upon Angelo, portrayed by senior Dylan Marks, to take over as ruler. However, the Duke does not leave, but instead disguises himself as a humble friar. \n“As with any Shakespeare piece, the play itself is unbelievably vivid and detailed, making it a pleasure just to hear,” Marks said. “It is also an excellent example of the contrast Shakespeare uses between intense dramatic moments and delightful moments of laughter. It is both a story of redemption, personal worth and a comic masterpiece.”\nFor some, when the name William Shakespeare is brought up in conversation, horrible visions of evil, yardstick-wielding high school English teachers and countless hours of hard-to-understand literature come to mind. Director Fontaine Syer, an associate professor in acting and directing, said this should not be the case.\n“I think a lot of people are scared of Shakespeare,” she said. “Seeing this production is not going to be like English class. (“Measure For Measure”) is a lot like life – laughing one minute and then something happens to change that.”\nThis production of “Measure For Measure” was created with the interest of college students in mind, Syer said. Because of this, a few changes have been made to the script. Parts of the play that were confusing and deemed unnecessary to the plot will not be performed in order to keep the show’s length under two and a half hours. The music of the show is classical music performed by rock musicians such as Metallica, and the costumes have been updated from traditional period dress to modern attire.\n“I want the costumes to talk about the characters,” Syer said. “They may not be historically accurate, but the hipness of them is to reveal something.”\nSince this production is intended for a collegiate audience, parents should consider that it will focus on the play’s sexual elements. \nThe opening scene is a montage of prostitute dancers performing a sexual ballet to demonstrate the looseness of morals in Vienna at this time.\n“We are looking at the people who we want to come,” said dramaturge Tom Shafer. “If we upset a few people, too bad.”\nDespite the production’s seemingly casual attitude toward sex, there are messages that should be taken away from the show, Syer said. The concept of morality, punishment being justified and the idea that appearances are only skin deep are a few such messages. In the end, the audience should be able to walk away with something more than the satisfaction of having seen a good show.\n“I want the audience to walk away saying the show was terrific,” Syer said. “And by the time they get to the car, I want themes of balance and excessiveness to be rolling around, (and) then ask where to go and get a drink.”\n“Measure For Measure” will be running at 7:30 p.m. this Friday and Saturday and Nov. 13-17 in the Ruth N. Halls Theatre. Tickets are $16 for adults and $13 for students and seniors. Student Rush Tickets are available the day of the performance for $10 and with a valid student ID. Tickets are available at the IU Auditorium Box Office or through Ticketmaster.