The Women's Shakespeare Company begins previews for its all-female production of Measure For Measure March 30 at Altered Stages in New York City. The show opens April 2 and runs through April 23.
R.J. Tolan directs this all-female cast. The production is not focused on issues of sexuality but rather features women as men -- just as men played women in Elizabethan times.
Described in production notes as "one of the Bard's problem plays," the all- female Measure For Measure will tell the story of the Duke who wants to learn how his subjects will behave in his absence. He then leaves town, where things develop quickly and, on his return, in disguise, the Duke proceeds to manipulate all of the players in this situation with consummate political skill.
Tolan is staging Measure For Measure in a film noir style, making use of venetian blinds and shafts of light.
Founded by artistic director Kelly Ann Sharman to give women roles they are not usually able to play the Women's Shakespeare Company has also produced Henry V at the Access Theater, and Othello at the Trilogy Theater this past December. Tickets are $15. Altered Stages is located at 212 West 29th Street . Tickets may be purchased by calling the box office at (212) 501-1986. For information visit www.womensshakespeareco.org.
-- By Murdoch McBride
