By Sandi Masori in San Diego
Summer in San Diego brings many things to look forward to, not least of which is the Old Globe’s Shakespeare productions. Each summer they stage two different productions, one in early summer and one in late summer. Keeping in line with that tradition, the current performance is Measure for Measure. It is not one of the Shakespeare plays that people think of when you ask them about the Bard, though. As it’s an adorable comedy, I don’t know why it hasn’t gotten more attention. Over the years, The Old Globe has staged it 10 times.
The basic plot is that Claudio (David T. Patterson) has slept with Juliet (Kayce Wilson) and gotten her pregnant, out of wedlock, which is a crime punishable by death. Angelo (Sam Lilja) the Duke’s cousin and proxy sentences him to death, perhaps because he himself was enamored with Juliet. Claudio’s sister Isabella (Amelia Pedlow), who is a nun in training, comes to Angelo to plead her brother’s case. Angelo offers her an indecent proposal instead. Distressed she runs crying to the Friar (who is actually the Duke in disguise) (Ato Blankson-Wood) who helps her concoct a plan to both save her honor and her brother. Chaos ensues.
The set is minimal with the permanent scaffolding of the Globe’s Shakespeare stage, and tables and chairs brought out when needed. The star of the scenery is a half- circle gate that is whipped around the stage to show the passing of time, the jail, the convent, and the public square.
I really love the way The Old Globe stages Shakepeare anachronistically. For this performance director Vivienne Benesch chose to dress the actors in 1930s garb. The dialogue is still mostly true to the original script, but the period dress gives it just a little more intrigue.
As always when I watch Shakespeare performances, I’m looking for the actors who take the lines, and make them their own, even as they stay true to the script. I was happy to see that there were some returning actors from other Globe productions. Some of the actors, I later learned, are from the Globe’s MFA program. One such actor is Madi Goff, who played Elbow. I’m always happy when I see them come out on stage, often playing a male character, because I know that they will make the lines and character their own and are fun to watch. They didn’t have a big role, but were a delight for the time they were on stage.
Another stand out actor is Calvin Leon Smith who plays Lucio. He too made the lines and role his own and though his character did not fare so well, got one of the loudest cheers from the audience at curtain call.
A few more quick shout- outs: Kristina Hinako for her role as Mariana, Pedlow as Isabella, Katie MacNichol as Mistress Overdone, and Lilja as Angelo. The entire cast was great, as you would expect with a Globe show, but those actors especially stand out.
The show has many laugh beats and is a good time.
Shakespeare at the Globe is a fun summer tradition. The audience is mostly adults, as it has a later start time due to being outdoors, but I think kids could enjoy it too. The theme of this particular show might be a little too adult, but in general, I think it would be fun to bring the kids each summer and give them a Shakespearean foundation.
Measure For Measure plays at The Old Globe through July 12.
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Associate Editor Sandi Masori is a theater and food reviewer for San Diego Jewish World.