A Noise Within Presents 'Measure For Measure' September 25, 2010

A NOISE WITHIN,
LOS ANGELES’ CRITICALLY ACCLAIMED
REPERTORY THEATRE COMPANY,
OPENS ITS 19TH SEASON WITH
SHAKESPEARE’S STIRRING MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Saturday, September 25 – Sunday, December 5, 2010
(previews begin Saturday, September 18)

A Noise Within (ANW), the acclaimed repertory theatre company, launches 2010-11 season, its 19th, with Shakespeare’s stirring classic Measure for Measure directed by Michael Murray, which opens Saturday, September 25 and closes Sunday, December 5, 2010 (previews begin Saturday, September 18).

In this intricately woven play, the Duke of Vienna recognizes that through his neglect, society has become a rotted den of iniquity, so he transfers his authority to Angelo, by all accounts an unblemished, morally uncompromising servant of God. But Angelo's irresistible sexual attraction to Isabella, a novice nun seeking pardon for her condemned brother, transforms saint to beast. Penned centuries ago, Shakespeare’s timeless case study of lethal hypocrisy remains relevant today. The cast features Robertson Dean (The Duke), A Noise Within Co-Founder/Co-Artistic Director Geoff Elliott (Angelo), Karron Graves (Isabella), William Patrick Riley (Claudio), Stephen Rockwell (Lucio), Mark Bramhall (Pompey) and Jill Hill (Mariana/Mistress Overdone). A Noise Within first performed Measure for Measure in 2003.

“We're setting this production of Measure for Measure in the present because it feels like such a modern play,” states Murray. “It's about the tension between religion and secular power, between justice and mercy and, most contemporary, between politics and sex – all issues that are in the news. Plus the play keeps flipping in many surprising directions, from farce to melodrama to tragedy, like life itself. There are scenes of intimate and gripping tension between the novice nun, Isabella, and the repressed governor of the state, Angelo, and, at the same time, there's a collection of classic Shakespeare clowns such as Elbow, the constable, and Pompey, the pimp.”

Noting that this is his first time directing the play, Murray adds, “It's a particular treat to be working with so many of the veteran members of this company. These actors know Shakespeare. Having done so many of Shakespeare productions at A Noise Within, they have developed a unique style. They have a comfort and ease with the language, and they know how to search out Shakespeare's meanings and celebrate his great imagination. They bring life and zest to these great plays and they put the story right in the audience's lap.”

The production is part of Shakespeare for a New Generation, a national initiative sponsored by the National Endowment for the Arts in cooperation with Arts Midwest.

To enhance the theatre-going experience, A Noise Within offers comprehensive study guides on every production, each with a synopsis, director's notes, general theatre lore, links to other resources and detailed information about the playwright, characters, setting, period, costumes, scenic design, music and more. Measure for Measure's Study Guide along with those for previous A Noise Within productions are available on-line at http://www.anoisewithin.org/education_studyguides.html.

A Noise Within (ANW) is the only year-round classical repertory company in Southern California and one of only a handful in the entire country dedicated solely to producing classical dramatic literature in the repertory tradition of rotating productions with a resident company of professional artists. Led by Co-Founders and Co-Artistic Directors Geoff Elliott and Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, A Noise Within has been hailed by critics as "adventurous," "compelling and current," “ingenuity at work,” “a bona fide class act,” and “what great theatre is all about.” Founded 19 seasons ago, ANW quickly established itself as one of the region’s key theatre companies, attracting fiercely loyal audiences and consistently high praise from the media for its productions and as a leading force in arts education. The company has presented more than 120 plays from the classics of world literature, each season producing works from authors ranging from Shakespeare and Molière to Ibsen, O’Neill and Shaw to Miller and Williams. ANW’s consistent dedication to quality has been rewarded with more than two dozen Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards as well as numerous LA Weekly and Backstage Garland awards. A Noise Within's next chapter provides the long-awaited opportunity to sink deep and lasting roots when the company moves in 2011 from its long-time base in Glendale to a spectacular, permanent home in a Pasadena mixed-use development at the corner of Foothill Boulevard and Sierra Madre Villa Avenue. The facility, hailed as an anchor in East Pasadena's arts growth, is designed to broaden A Noise Within’s artistic possibilities, offer a greater scope of educational opportunities, meet ticket demand and allow the company to expand its role as a leader in the presentation and preservation of classical theatre.

Single Tickets are $46 (Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees); $42 (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, Saturday matinees); and $32 (previews). Groups (10 or more) are $25, or $30 on Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees; School Groups (10 or more) are $16, or $20 on Saturday evenings and Sunday matinees.

A NOISE WITHIN is located at 234 South Brand Boulevard, Glendale, CA 91204. To purchase tickets or for a full season brochure, call 818-240-0910 x1 or visit www.ANoiseWithin.org.
CALENDAR LISTING

WHO:
A Noise Within – one of the nation’s leading classical repertory theatre companies

WHAT:
SHAKESPEARE’S MEASURE FOR MEASURE

Cast and Crew:
Michael Murray (Director)

Sarah Armstrong (Girl/Others)
Mark Bramhall (Pompey)
Robertson Dean (Duke)
Mitchell Edmonds (Escalus)
Geoff Elliott (Angelo)
Michael Faulkner (Elbow)
Karron Graves (Isabella)
Jill Hill (Mariana/Mistress Overdone)
Ariana Hodes (Girl/Others)
Courtney Kocak (Julietta/Others)
Peter Larney (Abhorson/1st Gentleman/Others)
Thomas Moses (Friar Thomas/Friar Peter)
Kurt Quinn Police/Aide/Others)
Stephen Rockwell (Lucio)
William Patrick Riley (Claudio)
Matt Shepherd (Police/Aide/Others)
Lindsay Styler (Brothel Girl/Others)
Steve Weingartner (Provost)
Elizabeth Zerebko (Girl/Others)

Hala Abdul-Baki (Directing Intern)
Kate Barrett (Stage Manager)
Stephen Gifford (Scenic Designer)
Julie Keen (Costume Designer)
Csilla Balogh (Costume Intern)
Julius Bronola Costume Intern)
Elizabeth Harper (Lighting Designer)
Nicholas Gregory(Lighting Intern)
Doug Newell (Sound Designer)
Alexandra Dunn (Asst. Scenic Designer/Props Master)
Rebecca Baillie (Production Manager)
Adam Lillibridge (Technical Director)
Ronnie Clark (Master Electrician)
Monica Sabedra (Wig/Hair and Makeup Designer)
Johnny LeBlanc (Scenic Artist)

WHEN:
Previews:
Saturday, September 18, 8 pm
Sunday, September 19, 7 pm
Wednesday, September 22, 8 pm
Thursday, September 23, 8 pm
Friday, September 24, 8 pm

Opens:
Saturday, September 25, 8 pm

Runs:
Sunday, September 26, 2 pm
Wednesday, October 13, 8 pm
Thursday, October 14, 8 pm
Thursday, November 4, 8 pm
Friday, November 5, 8 pm
Saturday, November 13, 2 pm
Saturday, November 13, 8 pm
Sunday, November 14, 2 pm
Sunday, November 14, 7 pm
Thursday, November 18, 8 pm
Friday, November 19, 8 pm
Saturday, December 4, 2 pm
Saturday, December 4, 8 pm
Sunday, December 5, 2 pm

WHERE:
A Noise Within
234 South Brand Blvd.
Glendale, CA 91204

TICKET PRICES:
$46 (Friday and Saturday evenings, Sunday matinees);
$42 (Wednesday, Thursday and Sunday evenings, Saturday matinees);
$32 (previews).
Group rates and special rates for school groups available.

TICKETS & INFO:
818-240-0910 x1
www.ANoiseWithin.org

Official Website: http://www.ANoiseWithin.org