Measure for Measure May 5, 2010

Fearing the pendulum has swung too far and the morality of Vienna’s citizens too lax, the Duke departs on a foreign embassy and leaves his Deputy General Angelo to re-enforce Vienna’s strict civil laws. Following the letter of the law Angelo arrests a young citizen named Claudio for the capital offense of impregnating his girlfriend before marriage. Isabella, a novice nun and sister to Claudio, appeals to Angelo for her brother’s life. Confused by the reason and conviction of her argument, Angelo finds himself in love with Isabella. Will Angelo follow the letter of the law, or be swayed by Isabella’s call for mercy? Or will Angelo fall prey to his baser impulses and use his power to possess the young nun?
Come experience Shakespeare’s timeless morality play. Does society need its morality dictated by civil law? Is mercy or justice more important to the health of a nation? Does humanity need the death penalty to keep itself in line? Shakespeare meets Law and Order in this judicious cutting and modern exploration of MEASURE FOR MEASURE.
Quintessence Theatre Group is Philadelphia’s newest professional theatre company, dedicated to the adaptation of epic works of drama and classic literature for the contemporary stage, which ignites the mind through the power of the actor, design and spoken word. Quintessence Theatre exists to develop and produce theatre which is immediate and necessary, and that strives to attract new audiences to the art form by challenging its artists and audiences alike to consider what is essential in theatre and in human nature.

Over the next five years Quintessence Theatre will work to establish an acting ensemble and a rotating repertory at the historic Sedgwick Theater in Mt. Airy, Philadelphia. As Quintessence Theatre’s home, the Sedgwick Theater, a 1928 art deco movie palace designed by William Lee, will regain its place as a jewel in Philadelphia’s cultural landscape.

MEASURE FOR MEASURE features Damon Bonetti*, Sean Bradley, Kaki Burns, Joy Farmer-Clary*, Doug Greene, Jennifer Hutten, Tanya Lazar, James Stover*, and John G Williams.

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