What people are saying about Measure for Measure.

"I was so happy to have had the opportunity to see this early so I can RAVE ON about what a tremendous show it is. What a cast...I loved them all and was immediately drawn in to each characters personal story. I really cared about what happened to them. I was unfamiliar with this work and had planned to do some research prior to seeing it. I was glad I didn't so I could go in as a lot of folks will not having a lot of idea about it. The set and the "puppet" characters added so much to the visual experience and the costumes were perfection. What an opportunity for this community to see a lesser known Shakespeare work so superbly done. Congratulations. I can hardly wait to see it again."

-Patti Moore

You guys outdid yourselves last night! One of the finest things we've ever seen staged. Thank You,

- Tom and Mary Ryan

Why isn't this play done more often? It's fantastic! What's not to understand?

-Bonnie

Absolutely brilliant! Especially that surprise ending! It was wonderful!

-Ann Shepherd

We were extremely disappointed to find that you had chosen a scene so inappropriate to family viewing... Afterwards, a young girl asked her mother, "Mommy, why did they use so many bad words?" ...Aside from the R rated content, you missed a great opportunity to entice youngsters with the beauty and magic of Shakespeare... Instead, here the message to kids was that Shakespeare is scary, somehow "bad" and mostly incomprehensible. Too bad Harlequin. In our view, you blew it.

-anonymous viewer of free ArtsWalk preview

I think this production is brilliant, funny, and crystal clear in language and intent. The ensemble is perfectly cast and well directed. Sound, lights, costumes, set and musical score are all first rate. The acting is uniformly excellent, with each player taking a standout turn to move the story forward. Artistic Director Scot Whitney has a gift for Shakespeare. This "problem play" just had it's "problem" solved.

Steve Manning

I also saw this production and loved it.  The story is told beautifully and the cast is all wonderful.  Probably the best ensemble work I have seen recently.  The lights and set are fantastic and the costumes are wonderful.  I also think the play itself is so good and that was not my opinion before.  This production made me appreciate it in a whole new way.  Plus, I have been thinking and reflecting about it since I saw it and isn't that what good theater is supposed to do?  So, congratualtions to all.  I walked out of the show very satisfied and very proud to work in the theater.  So, do go see it.  Bring a friend.  Or two!

Casey Brown

Director Scot Whitney’s love of William Shakespeare and his extensive research into the world of Elizabethan England is highly evident in his staging of Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.” The blocking and timing under Whitney’s direction, combined with a marvelous set and lighting by Jill Carter and Nat Rayman and strange music by Bruce Whitney, all coalesce to create a nightmarish world reminiscent of some of Ingmar Bergman’s darkest films, with hints of the otherworldly mood of such cyber-punk movies as “Brazil” and “Blade Runner.” Harlequin Productions’ “Measure for Measure” is dark, violent and seat-

grippingly intense, but not without a measure of bawdy humor....
[The prison] scene is as emotionally intense as anything you may ever see on stage. O’Keefe and Serafin are absolutely convincing."

Alec Clayton, reviewer The News Tribune
http://www.thenewstribune.com/ae/story/4880525p-4475901c.html

This is one of Harlequin's rare duds. After telling us that this is one of Bill's "problem" plays, director Scot Whitney imposes more problems on it. The set is underlit - it's like looking into a cave. Everyone enters in cloaks that look like habits, wearing strange hats, and as each person's first lines come up, the costume is left behind to form a silent chorus of dummies. But most disturbing is the Duke's assault on Isabella at the closing lines, which leaves a very bitter taste as one exits the theater. Checkmarks to Rowan Brooks as the concupiscent Angelo; Summer Serafin as Isabella, the object of his lust; and Frank Lawler as the self-absorbed Lucio. Honorable mention to Russ Holm as the Duke. Many others do fine work, among them David Wright, Caitlin Finne, Dennis Rolly, and Tim Hoban.

-Joseph E Boling

Great performance last night ...well done !

-Ralph Bietz

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