Review By Tara O’Donnal, Front Row Reviewers
A delightful and insightful production of William Shakespeare’s Measure for Measure at the Castle Theatre in Provo, and it’s fantastic. If you are accustomed to traveling for great Shakespeare that’s clear and simple to understand, you just need to get yourself to Provo to see this production of Measure for Measure that is part of the Renaissance Now Theatre & Film’s festival along with The Tempest through June 28. The performances are insightful, with a wonderful modern adaptation that helps the audience feel quite connected to the characters. Praise to Steven Rimke for his cut and adaptation in collaboration with director Sonja Hugo. A wonderful monologue starts the show, where Rimke and Hugo lay out the questions, so relevant for our time. Lovely Isabella, played by Sasha Hayden Wilkinson, is a novicestudying to become a nun, starts the play by asking, “How does one get into heaven?” Clearly, that’s not Shakespeare text. But the prologue introduces important themes clearly in mind as we make it though the twists and turns of this masterpiece. The Renaissance Now Artistic Director states, “The play addresses diverse perspectives on both social and moral behavior, concerned with a clash of culture between those who are ignoring the rule of law, and those who would enforce it.” This is done very well in the production. We are currently thinking about the rule of law, and how our leaders are handling both political and social issues now. So, Bravo. I loved Yulissa Torres’ portrayal of the Duchess. She’s a female in a man’s world of power. She’s spunky, keeps her secrets with the inclusion of the audience into the “joke,” as she goes into hiding to watch how her deputy will handle the civic disorder. You can really see how Hugo explores gender and power in the development of these issues. Surrounded by his male associates in power, deputy Angelo, (Kolby Jenkins) assumes power in this hotbed of moral and political debate where lives are at stake. Carter McEwan is clear and effective as Escalus, Angelo’s right hand man. He has to say “yes” because it’s the right thing to support power. Joel Applegate, who questions the extreme judgement of the deputy, aptly represents someone caught between compassion and duty. The key issue develops as Angelo sentences Claudio, played sympathetically by Seth Johnson, to death immediately for getting his sweet girlfriend Juliet, played by Grace Fillmore, pregnant. Die for adultery? Biblically, adulterers were stoned. Claudio’s sentencing this young man to death, then involves Claudio’s sister Isabella. She must face Angelo to plead for her brother’s life. The story moves between a convent, the deputy’s private chamber, and the Jail where Claudio is kept. The astonishing performance by Wilkinson as she pleads for her brother’s life, and then pleads with her brother to accept his fate, is so clear, so fully human, riding Shakespeare’s twists in rhetoric as Angelo manipulates her in order to tempt her with her brother’s fate.
I have seen a number of interpretations of Isabella, and this performance shines above them all. Smart and witty, she fights back with intelligence against the sophisticated arguments of both Angelo and Claudio. Most stunning is her emotional depth. She is caught in a deeply felt moral dilemma, one of Shakespeare’s best, moving us to tears with a thoroughly heart-rending performance. Angelo is likewise excellent, with a kind of “hopeless romantic” quality that makes him a good fit. Usually, Angelo is played edgier, and more manipulative, but this is a refreshing change. The scene between Claudio and Isabella is remarkable, marking changes in their fate as they both plead for the other to understand their plight. There is a wonderful familiarity and believability to the texture of their performance, that is involving, clear and brilliant work from the actors.
Important supporting characters representing the underbelly of society are played by Ethan Freestone, Oliver Estrada Brown, and Grace Fillmore. Fillmore portrays her love for Claudio (whose child she carries) with such deep feeling that it makes the play have far more consequence. She then turns around and plays the character of Elbow, a wonderfully animated low-life comic, and then turns around and plays Mariana, who is Angelo’s former fiancé. Mariana is likewise touching and powerful. Fillmore and Freestone are stand out comics. They bring to the play what you expect from Shakespeare’s street characters. Especially brilliant is Freestone’s performance of Lucio. This character tries to please everyone, and gets into a heap of scrapes. Where Fillmore is wildly versatile, Freestone is smart, creative with comedic moments, and highly expressive with movement. Brown, playing Mistress Overdone, appears as an elegant, streetwise young man. He’s a thoroughly modern type of beauty and style, which shows the gender play the director is up to.
The direction by Hugo, “mentored” by Rimke is brilliant. She trusts the story and allows the audience to get it through the simple clarity of text. The set and costumes are simple but right, allowing the actors to do the work of storytelling in this modern setting. I’m sure the informational intensity of the ideas and this moderntake was born of the brilliant collaboration between Hugo and Rimke on the adaptation. Rimke’s text and voice direction has made the story understandable and the individual characters distinctive and expressive. Costume design by Asriel Jensen adds layers and interest to this production.
Shakespeare is alive during the summer in Utah (and everywhere!) but the interesting take on Measure for Measure, the setting, and the actors make this production not to be missed.
Renaissance Now Theatre & Film present Measure for Measure by William Shakespeare. Adapted by Steven Rimke and Sonja Hugo.
Castle Theatre, 1300 E. Center St., Provo, Utah 84604 Above, or East of the Utah State Hospital, overflow parking in designated spaces only below.
June 18, 20, 23, 25, 27, 2025 Monday/Wednesday/Fridays 7:30 PM
Bring Chairs or Blankets. Snacks, cooler for drinks and ice, and bug spray. Water bottles available, $1
Admission: General $15, Student/Seniors $10, $5 Previews.
Contact number: text 917-225-7643 or email Kathy.b.curtiss@gmail.com
Please go to our Facebook page for discounts on Mon, June 23, and Tues, June 24
Plays in repertory with The Tempest
Measure for Measure: June 18, 20, 23, 25, 27 Monday, Wednesday, Friday
The Tempest: June 19, 21, 24, 26, 28 Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday
Both casts are scheduled to perform these plays in New York after their schedule in Provo.
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