Reviews: Measure for Measure

Aired 7/29/2009 on Morning Edition

(Sacramento, CA)

“Measure for Measure” revolves around a ghastly choice. A young man whose fiancé is pregnant is sentenced to death, for fornication. his sister pleads for his life with the all-powerful regent who rules the city. And he offers her a deal, on one condition.

“You must lay down the treasures of your body."

The woman, who’s studying to be a nun, can’t believe it. 

“My brother did love Juliet, and you tell me he shall die for it.”

“He shall not Isabel, if you give me love."

When she hesitates, he goes ballistic.

“Redeem thy brother by yielding up thy body to my will.”

You heard it: sex for clemency. In this show, set in the wealthy, decadent city of Vienna in 1814, such dirty deals abound.

And did I mention? It’s a comedy! At least it ultimately reaches something resembling a happy ending. But even the good guys engage in a bit of dishonest trickery as they turn the tables on the bad guys, making this a morally ambiguous play by any measure.