Measure for Measure

Reviewed by Joseph Klink
Ophelia’s Jump
Through July 23

RECOMMENDED

Haste still pays haste and leisure answers leisure in Ophelia’s Jump Production’s Measure for Measure. Co-sponsored by Pomona College, Shakespeare’s classic is being presented at the outdoor Sontag Greek Theatre in Claremont.  

The setting is the western frontier. The Duke (Marc Antonio Pritchett) announces that he will be on temporary leave and places his deputy Angelo (Teddy Larsen) in charge. With help from advisor Escalus (Kelly Franett), Angelo immediately moves to purify the state from sexual deviance, starting with the death sentence of young Claudio (Edward Moravscik), whose crime is premarital relations with his fiancée Juliet (Mariana Ataviera).

Word quickly spreads to Claudio’s friend Lucio (Spike Pulice) and brothel employee Pompey (Mariluna Beacy, who later doubles as Mariana). In addition to banning sex before marriage, all brothels are to be closed down. While serious changes are taking hold of the city, these two comedic presences excel in keeping the energy up. Beacy and Pulice make strong character choices and their handling of the language fits as well as their tailored suits.

Claudio’s sister Isabella (Jenny Lockwood), a chaste nun, pleads with Angelo to spare her brother.  Ultimately Angelo concedes that he will not kill Claudio if Isabella agrees to sleep with him. Forced with this terrible decision, she tries to explain what has happened to her brother. Lockwood thoroughly understands the text and is the strongest force on stage. It is curious that, upon seeing Isabella, Larsen’s Angelo defaults to serving a greater purpose instead of fervently assuming ownership of it. He could strengthen his belief that he is establishing morality before it is torn down by his infatuation with Isabella. Moravscik could also be a bit stronger with the language throughout. Though he delivers strong moments of emotion, it is not as clear in the words as in between them.

The Duke, meanwhile, has been undercover and paid witness to this entire debacle of pious hypocrisy. Pritchett’s Duke is along for the ride with the audience. He is shocked to see how things are playing out and takes time in formulating a confident solution. Pritchett is warm, he listens, but one might argue that the Duke, who is generally well-liked and has experience, would demonstrate more confidence. Once he begins plotting with Isabella, he is responsible for carrying the play through to the end and audiences, like the characters, need to trust that he’s got this.

The performance is quite entertaining. Combined with the open air setting in a bowl-style amphitheater, Elina de Santos’sdirection succeeds in filling this space. This is an ensemble show, and the cast comes together with tight beats, quick changes, and high energy. Actors Alejandro Hernandez, Solmyra Araiza, Mariana Ataviera, and Spencer Newman play supporting roles that hold this story together, and they have fun with them. An additional note is deserved for Kelly Franett, who not only delivers a natural presentation of the conflicted Escalus, but also a wild one as Madame Overdone.

Sontag Greek Theater, on the Pomona College Campus 300 E. Bonita, Claremont; Fri.-Sun., 8 pm, thru July 23.  https://opheliasjump.org/midsummer-shakespeare-festival Running time is approximately two hours with intermission.